PREMIER LEAGUE fanatic Tommy Buckley (@tbuckleythinks) shares his early thoughts on week two of the 2018/19 campaign.
After spending a few weeks assessing the summer transfer business and looking through the ante-post markets, it was fantastic to finally have football back again.
The Premier League bounced back to life with a fascinating set of matches and plenty of entertaining action – hopefully that was just the start of a season that will be packed with quality week after week.
The Premier League season is only one week old and it's clearly too early to be forming concrete, confident opinions on how teams will perform but I've had a look at the second round of fixtures and these are the five that caught my eye.
West Ham v Bournemouth | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
West Ham and Bournemouth certainly experienced different starts to the season with the Hammers getting stuffed 4-0 at Liverpool, while the Cherries enjoyed a controlled 2-0 home win against Cardiff.
This fixture caught my eye because it's one that just screams that it will be open and entertaining, given the set-up of both sides. Indeed, recent Premier League history between the pair strongly suggests football fans are in for a treat.
Five of the last six Premier League meetings have seen been Both Teams To Score, four of those have gone Over 2.5 Goals and in total there have been 25 goals across that sample sample between the Hammers and Cherries.
The duo have produced scorelines such as 3-4, 3-3, 3-2 and 3-1 in that time – both teams will want to go for the win and the statistics suggest it's well worth considering Both Teams To Score at 4/5 (10BET) and Over 2.5 Goals at evens (Betfair).
Tottenham v Fulham | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
Tottenham and Fulham are two teams I'm looking forward to watching this season, given their style of play, and so it's great they get to clash early on for what should be a fascinating London derby.
It will be Fulham's second successive capital showdown after facing Crystal Palace last weekend. The Cottagers suffered a 2-0, while Spurs got off to a winning 2-1 start at Newcastle, but the truth is, both of those results could have been very different.
Tottenham are very short-priced favourites in this all-London affair but I don't think it's as clear cut as the odds suggest. Fulham played very well against Palace, quite easily could have been a few goals up, and I think they can test Spurs at Wembley.
Tottenham scored two against Newcastle, could have scored more but also could have conceded a few. Whereas, Fulham shipped two against Palace but on another day could have scored a few and I think it's all set for an open, attack-minded match that makes Both Teams To Score appeal at evens (William Hill).
Leicester v Wolves | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
The third 3pm Saturday kick-off that catches my attention brings together two sides who will look to play positive football and so Leicester v Wolves should be a game that will have plenty of chance for goals.
The Foxes played very well for most of their 2-1 defeat at Manchester United – better play in the final third probably would have gotten them a result but still they showed enough – especially James Maddison who showed real quality and Jamie Vardy who got his goal from the bench, to believe they can do well again.
Wolves really have made big moves in the transfer market this summer to have a really good crack at the Premier League and they showed real spirit to fight back twice from behind against Everton.
The Old Gold’s open, attacking spirit and quality combined with their belief will give them the confidence to go at Leicester and that should make for a decent game with goals again the best option. I have to say Both Teams To Score (13/10 10BET) and Over 2.5 Goals (111/100 Marathon) are worth risking.
Manchester City v Huddersfield | Sunday 19th August 2018, 13:30 | Sky Sports
Last season’s Premier League champions and highest scorers host last term’s joint-lowest scorers – it really shouldn't be a close contest and I'd be very surprised if Man City don't get a comfortable win with a few to spare here.
Huddersfield showed real spirit to survive last year but the cold facts are they don't really have enough quality and don't have enough goals in their squad, whereas City are the exact opposite. That's why it's 1/11 for a home win and a massive 25/1 for the Terriers to cause an upset.
Incredibly, this actual fixture finished 0-0 last season but that was at a time when Man City were celebrating the title and Huddersfield were fighting desperately to survive – it was really was a result based on circumstances and not relevant quality.
Huddersfield were completely outclassed 3-0 by Chelsea last weekend and I'd expect at least the same at Man City. The Citizens have the quality to go for lots of goals and I like the look of Manchester City -2 on the handicap at 8/11 (Betfair).
Crystal Palace v Liverpool | Monday 20th August 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Crystal Palace v Liverpool clashes in the Premier League are most definitely games that have given both sets of fans, indeed all football fans, plenty of goals and drama to enjoy. Hopefully this will be another.
The last 10 Premier League clashes between the two have produced 37 goals, with nine of the 10 games featuring Both Teams To Score and nine of the 10 contests also breaking the Over 2.5 Goals barrier. The five Premier League games between Palace and Liverpool played at Selhurst Park have seen scorelines of 1-2, 2-4, 1-2, 3-1 and 3-3.
Both Crystal Palace and Liverpool opened their new campaigns with solid wins – the Eagles were 2-0 winners at Fulham and Reds 4-0 at home to West Ham so both will be looking to go again here and it should be another open, exciting game.
Given all the attacking talent on show, and combined with all the clear statistics, Both Teams To Score at (3/4 Bet365) has to be given serious consideration.
Best Bets
West Ham v Bournemouth – Both Teams To Score at 4/5 (10BET)
West Ham v Bournemouth – Over 2.5 Goals (1/1 Betfair)
Tottenham v Fulham – Both Teams To Score at 1/1 (William Hill)
Leicester v Wolves – Both Teams To Score (13/10 10BET)
Leicester v Wolves – Over 2.5 Goals (111/100 Marathon)
Manchester City v Huddersfield – Manchester City -2 handicap (8/11 Betfair)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Both Teams To Score at (3/4 Bet365)
