Watching the Premier League officially make its return this weekend, all eyes will fall on England’s elite and what promises to be a stacked schedule.
However, although the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool might steal most of Saturday’s headlines, we have plenty of intriguing affairs from across England’s top tiers.
So, for those of you looking to stick on a weekend flutter, we have found a handful of the most eye-catching betting markets.
Saturday, August 17th
BST 15:00 Arsenal vs Wolves
Once again falling short last season in the race to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, Arsenal are desperate to go one-step further this time around. Only continuing to shine under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Saturday’s hosts will certainly be looking to make an early statement here. Hoping to carry on from where they left off back in May, the Gunners won all of their final six Premier League appearances last season by an aggregate score of 15-3. Already regarded to be Manchester City’s main title foes this year, Arsenal will also take plenty of positives away from their summer preparations. Including a thumping 4-1 victory against German high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen on August 7th, Arteta’s young squad find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Suffering just a single Premier League defeat at the Emirates throughout 2024, the Gunners are pencilled in as a landslide contender in north London.
Although Wolves might have gained plenty of praise last season following a maiden campaign under Gary O’Neil, Saturday’s guests certainly limped their way over the finishing line. Eventually limping their way to a bottom-half finish, the former Bournemouth boss saw his squad lose all of their final three top-flight appearances by an aggregate score of 10-2. Likewise, along with losing five of their last six Premier League showdowns, the Midlands-based outfit secured just a single win from any of their 10 appearances across all competitions since returning from March’s international break. Facing what looks set to be a monumental opening weekend challenge when they travel to north London, Wolves should also be concerned by a nightmare record against the Premier League title contenders. Including a 2-0 loss when they welcomed Arsenal to Molinuex back on April 20th, they have lost all of their last six showdowns against the Gunners.
Tip: Arsenal to score in both halves @ 5/6
15:00 Mansfield Town vs Burton Albion
Storming their way to a League One return as they enjoyed a real fourth-tier fairytale last season, Mansfield have received a string of plaudits. With some in Nigel Clough’s camp dreaming of the chance to mount another famous promotion charge this time around, the Stags came flying out of the traps last weekend. Putting in a stunning performance as they secured a 2-1 victory away at title candidates Barnsley, the ex-Burton boss will be smelling the chance to get one over on his former employers here. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign by collecting 13 points from their final five League Two appearances, Mansfield will be backed by a vocal support at Field Mill on Saturday afternoon. Winning all of their final three showdowns in Nottinghamshire last season by an aggregate score of 5-2, Clough’s men are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender this weekend.
While Burton might have dragged themselves to League One safety last season, the Brewers appear destined for another relegation scrap this time around. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign by holding just a two-point buffer over the drop zone, Mark Robinson’s men have continued to show some rather glaring issues. Getting proceedings underway last weekend with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Lincoln, Saturday’s guests should be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an abrupt end in midweek as they slumped to an infamous 4-0 drumming at the hands of Blackpool, Burton have gained a reputation for their glaring defensive struggles. Shipping seven goals in their opening two appearances over the past week, the Staffordshire-based outfit have also failed to muster a single clean sheet across any competition since the start of March.
Tip: Mansfield Town win @ 19/20
15:00 Newport County vs Doncaster Rovers
Although Doncaster might have suffered an infamous play-off collapse last season, the Rovers don’t appear to be showing any signs of a hangover. With many tipping Grant McCann’s side as a genuine title contender this time around, the former Peterborough boss has seen his squad open the 2024/25 campaign with a real flurry. Getting the new season underway last weekend with a thumping 4-1 victory at home against Accrington Stanley, the Yorkshire-based outfit have also found a clinical edge in the final third. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 2-0 win away at Salford, McCann’s men have also gained a reputation for their success on the road. Aside from their play-off exit back on May 10th, that is the only defeat that Doncaster have suffered away from the Eco-Power Stadium since the start of March.
Signing off the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a public nightmare as they lost all of their final eight League Two appearances, Newport appear to have continued from where they left off back in May. Losing each of their opening two appearances over the past week by an aggregate score of 7-3, Nelson Jardim’s side have failed to muster a single competitive defeat since way back on March 16th. Limping their way over the finishing line last season as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming against Bradford, Saturday’s hosts also showed some worrying issues at Rodney Parade. In fact, Newport lost all of their final four League Two showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score 10-2. Failing to muster a single clean sheet in South Wales since the middle of February, Jardim’s side should have another stern examination on their hands this weekend.
Tip: Billy Sharp to score anytime @ 8/5
Our Saturday English Accumulator:
Arsenal vs Wolves Arsenal to score in both halves @ 5/6
Mansfield Town vs Burton Albion Mansfield Town win @ 19/20
Newport County vs Doncaster Rovers Billy Sharp to score anytime @ 8/5
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with and pocket £92.95 if all predictions are correct.
