1.Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
In this match, Arsenal will be hosting Nottingham Forest in the first game. For Arsenal, who heavily invested in players during the summer transfer window, winning this match is a must. Last season, Arsenal lost the Premier League title mainly due to a weakened squad towards the later stages. However, this issue seems to have been resolved this season. Based on the pre-season matches, most of Arsenal's new signings have shown promising performances. With a strong team, Arsenal should have no problem defeating Forest. Moreover, Nottingham Forest has already suffered injuries to several key players in their forward and defensive lines even before the start of the season. The suspense of the match now revolves around how many goals Arsenal will score. Considering the odds with Arsenal favored by a two-goal handicap, from my observations of Arsenal's pre-season games and the positioning of both teams, it's reasonable to assume Arsenal will win by at least two goals. Even if they only win by two goals, it would still be a push at worst. Therefore, I recommend betting on Arsenal. My blind guess is that Arsenal will win 4-0 against Nottingham Forest.
2.Brighton vs Luton
This match is particularly interesting as it features two underdog teams in the English Premier League. Brighton has risen as a dark horse in the past couple of years, while Luton emerged as a surprise team last season. In a way, this match can be seen as a clash between underdog teams. Of course, Brighton is generally stronger than Luton. Luton themselves didn't expect to make it to the Premier League, and they even had to expedite stadium improvements to meet Premier League standards. Therefore, the likelihood is that Brighton will win this match. The question mark, however, lies in the fact that Brighton's midfield duo from last season, Maupay and Trossard, has either left or might not be available. This raises concerns about how Brighton's midfield system has been rebuilt. From the pre-season matches, Brighton's form hasn't been exceptional. The odds favor Brighton by a 1.5-goal handicap, but I believe Brighton will likely win by only one goal. Therefore, betting on Luton might be a reasonable choice. My guess is that Brighton will narrowly win 2-1 against Luton.
3.Newcastle vs Villa
This match is arguably the most exciting one, as it involves two teams with closely matched strengths. Aston Villa had a rough start to last season but gained momentum under their new manager Emery and even went on a winning streak. Thus, their aim for this season is likely a spot in European competitions. As for Newcastle, they secured a top-four finish and Champions League qualification last season, and they've strengthened their squad in various positions this season. Therefore, for their first home game of the new season, a victory is imperative. Based on pre-season matches, Newcastle's form has been good. However, Villa has also shown strong form, and the two teams had a 3-3 draw in a pre-season match, indicating their closely matched abilities and form. Newcastle's only advantage in this game is playing at home. The handicap for this match is Newcastle giving a 0.75-goal advantage. It's possible that this match could turn into a goal-filled battle, but the final result might be a draw. My guess is a 2-2 draw. Rather than the handicap, I'd recommend betting on a high goal count. The likelihood of a high-scoring game is relatively high.
*The final predictions for the first two were mostly correct, in terms of the teams' victories. However, for the last one, Newcastle vs. Villa, the final score was 5-1.
|