SOCCER

Premier League Betting Guide for Matchweek 1

The wait is finally over as the EPL campaign begins on Friday. Which bets should you look to on the opening weekend?

After a long offseason, the EPL is back, and we will have the pleasure of seeing all the teams (along with their newly acquired summer transfers) back in action this weekend!

Using Soccer odd as the source for lines, let's take a look at some bets you should zero in on this week.

Please note that lines are subject to change after this article is published, which impacts betting advice. All betting lines were taken from FanDuel Sportsbook, and you can check here to see their most updated numbers.

Bournemouth vs. Sheffield Utd

Bournemouth to win +100

Newly promoted Sheffield United are expected to have their hands full in their new league this season. In fact, the FanDuel Sportsbook gives Sheffield United the highest probability of finishing the season in dead last (+280).

Bournemouth is far from a world beater, but they did finish with the 10th-best home record in the EPL last season with 29 points and a +5 goal difference. In addition, they went 3W-0D-1L at home against the bottom-four teams in the league last season, so, for the most part, they were able to handle the league's bottom feeders at home in 2018-19.

The Cherries need to win these home games against poor competition if they want to avoid relegation, so there should be an urgency for them to seek out the full three points in this matchup. Expect Bournemouth to win this game.

Newcastle vs. Arsenal

Newcastle +1 (no push) +100

The Gunners are the much more talented team in this matchup, but they enjoyed most of their success at the Emirates last season. Unai Emery’s side were a disappointing 7-4-8 (37% win rate) away from home last year, while Newcastle were a respectable 8-1-10 at home.

It appears that home field advantage could make up for the gap in talent, and the Magpies might be able to at least muster a draw in this matchup against a Gunners side that's been poor in their travels for a few years now.

Crystal Palace vs. Everton

Crystal Palace +1 (no push) -170

Everton were a poor away side last season at 5-5-9 (26% win rate), and their biggest signing of the offseason (Fabian Delph) is unlikely to play in this match due to injury, making them an extremely similar team to the one they had a year ago.

Crystal Palace are not a strong side, but they should be able to finish the year in the lower-mid table much like they did last season. Palace were 5-5-9 (53% win/draw rate) away from home last season, including a 0-0 draw against Everton.

Despite not being a top team, Palace do have quality players in Wilfried Zaha (7.21 WhoScored.com rating last season), Luka Milivojevic (7.19 rating) and Andros Townsend (6.98 rating) -- all of whom should all be in the starting lineup this weekend. This team should have enough to at least earn one point against Everton.