FINALLY, soccer fans have the English Premier League back on their TV screens – and not a moment too soon.
The 2016/17 season has plenty of hype surrounding it, given the star-studded names that will be both on and off the field this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimović finally makes his Premier League debut for Manchester United at the tender age of 34, and some guy named Paul Pogba will also be in red after a world record transfer fee was agreed upon.
Over at the blue side of Manchester, the world’s most decorated manager, Pep Guardiola, takes over for City, and the Sky Blues should be spurred to instantly improve on last year’s disappointing fourth placed finish.
Never mind the inclusions though, we are worried about the matches, and we have put together a multi for week one that we believe will generate some cash for our readers.
All odds for the opening week of the season are provided by Sportsbet.com.au.
New customers can get their first bet at Sportsbet matched up to the value of $501.
Selections for the EPL Week 1 multi of the week:
Leicester to defeat Hull ($2)
Crystal Palace to beat West Brom ($1.91)
Tottenham/Draw against Everton ($1.36)
Manchester City to beat Sunderland ($1.22)
Combined multi value: $6.30 @ Sportsbet.com.au
Hull vs. Leicester
Saturday, August 13 from 9.30pm AEST at KC Stadium, Hull
The Premier League season kicks off early Saturday night for Australian fans as the reigning champions Leicester travel to Yorkshire to face the freshly-promoted Hull.
It has been an indifferent pre-season so far for the Foxes.
The men in blue lost the community shield to Manchester United and were hammered by Barcelona in the International Champions Cup, but even the most optimistic fan would not have expected a good result in either of those contests.
In transfer news for the title holders, N’Golo Kante’s departure to Chelsea will leave a huge hole, but Foxes’ boss Claudio Ranieri’s signing of former Nice star Nampalys Mendy may help fill the void.
Mendy may take time to find his feet given the French and English leagues are played in vastly different styles, so until then, we expect Andy King – who stepped up admirably last season when Kante was injured – to pair Danny Drinkwater in the midfield.
Hull will be a bit of an unknown commodity coming into the Premier League, but it is not often a promoted side beats an EPL champion upon their re-entry into the competition.
We think the Foxes will be far too strong and should salute at decent odds.
Multi tip: Leiciester to win – $2
Crystal Palace vs. West Brom
Sunday, August 14 from midnight AEST at Selhurst Park, London
Two teams that battled relegation last season enter the new campaign full of optimism that their seasons will harbour more hope in the form of Crystal Palace and West Brom.
The Eagles have not been shy in shelling out the transfer window cash.
Crystal Palace acquired star midfielder Andros Townsend from Newcastle United and added some stability to their sometimes shaky defence by purchasing centre back James Tomkins from West Ham United.
West Brom has a new owner, but unlike Palace they have not splashed the cash yet, meaning the squad that only just escaped relegation has not been enhanced.
The new players will add plenty to an underrated Crystal Palace squad and we believe they will have no trouble opening their 2016/17 account in style at home against a team who may be out of the Premier League by season’s end.
Multi tip: Crystal Palace to win – $1.91
Everton vs. Tottenham
Sunday, August 14 from midnight AEST at Goodison Park, Liverpool
Two clubs who demand success year after year without ever really seeing it clash on Merseyside on Sunday morning in the form of Everton and Tottenham.
Neither side has had an ideal preparation leading into this match.
The Spurs had a winless summer campaign in the ICC tournament down under, but a host of stars were left out after the grueling Euros competition.
Upon their return to Europe Tottenham had a full squad to choose from and it showed in their 6-1 hammering of Italian giants Inter Milan.
Everton have several selection headaches heading into the opening match of the season.
The loss of John Stones – who moved to Manchester City – will leave a gaping hole in the Everton defence, and there is doubt over the fitness of last year’s goal scorer Romelu Lukaku.
Tottenham has the weight of expectation this year; a tag the Spurs have constantly struggled with over the course of the last decade, but they are a much better team on paper than Everton, but we are taking the safe option here.
Tottenham or draw should salute to keep our multi rolling into a fourth leg.
Multi tip: Tottenham or draw – $1.36
Manchester City vs. Sunderland
Sunday, August 14 from 2.30am AEST at Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Last leg of the multi sees Manchester City hosting Sunderland at Etihad Stadium in a game that should be a cakewalk for the home side.
It will be an afternoon of celebration for the Manchester fans as it is the debut match for managerial meastro Pep Guardiola, who takes the reins for the first time in an official match.
For a team that has wandered the line between amazing and abysmal for so many years, the addition of a manager who will command instant respect should be the tonic needed for City to have a long period of sustained success.
For the first time in recent memory, Argentinian super-striker Sergio Aguero will enter the season fully fit, which is a massive boost for the Sky Blues.
Aguero is the $4.50 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au to win the 2016/17 Golden Boot.
Sunderland’s opening match marks the Premier League return of former Manchester United boss David Moyes.
Moyes has his work cut out given the Black Cats have not made any notable additions to a squad that only just escaped relegation last season.
We have no doubts as to how this one will end; Manchester City will open their campaign on a winning note.
Multi tip: Manchester City to win – $1.22
Premier League promotions for game week 1
We have waited patiently through meaningless ICC games in Australia awaiting the new Premier League season, and Sportsbet.com.au has rewarded its customers for their virtue.
Place a correct score bet on the season opener between Hull and Leicester, and if your selection wins but the score is incorrect Sportsbet will hand you your stake back up to $50.
Looking more towards the first goal scorer markets? Never fear, Sportsbet has you covered.
Place a bet on the first goal scorer across any game this weekend, and if your man fails to find the back of the net first but scores at any time in the 90 minutes you get your cash back up to $50.
Lastly, Sportsbet’s terrific soccer multi insurance returns for the new season.
For those who have forgotten, if you place a four or more legged multi result bet on any international soccer competition this weekend and you miss out by one leg you get your stake back up to $50.
WilliamHill.com.au has decided they would rather concentrate on the futures markets for this Premier League campaign, and punters are rejoicing.
Place a minimum $50 bet on the Premier League Golden Boot market at William Hill, and you will get a bonus bet of $5 for every goal your selection kicks throughout the season.
Rather invest on the title market? William Hill has a promotion for that too.
Place a minimum $50 on a team to win the 2016/17 Premier League title and you will get a $5 bonus for every win your team registers throughout the campaign.
To be eligible for these William Hill bonuses, your futures bet must be placed prior to 12am, the 13th of August.
