I've got two best bets for the return of Premier League football.
The pregame narrative: Tottenham begins its season at King Power Stadium and I expect it to pick up three points against freshly-promoted Leicester City. Elsewhere, Liverpool has a soft landing spot for its first game without Jurgen Klopp.
Check out the best EPL Matchday 1 picks.
EPL Matchday 1 picks
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Best Bet: Tottenham halftime/full-time (+130)
Tottenham came out of the gates flying last season.
It was unbeaten in its first 10 Premier League fixtures (8-2-0) before picking up some injuries and suspensions and hitting the ditch, losing four of the next five.
But even when the Spurs were losing, they were filling the net.
Ange Postecoglou's squad found the net in 27 straight games to start the season, averaging 2.18 goals per game in that span. Offence was never the problem for this group and shouldn't be on Monday.
Tottenham's deadly attack is comprised of former Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke. The latter was the team's marquee signing this transfer window and fills a void at the No. 9 spot following Harry Kane's departure.
Leicester rolled to promotion out of the EFL Championship with a 31-4-11 record but there was a reason the Foxes were relegated in the first place.
They picked up just nine wins in 2022-23 while conceding nearly two goals per game.
Tottenham's offence should tear Leicester to shreds and its defence is fully healthy. I like the visitors to take an early lead and not let go.
Key stat: Tottenham had the fifth-most non-penalty xG last year (66.7), per FBRef.
Quick pick
Liverpool over 2.5 goals (+107): The Klopp era at Liverpool ended with one Premier League title, one Champions League, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the Community Shield, a UEFA Super Cup and a Fifa Club World Cup.
Those are massive shoes to fill for Arne Slot.
Luckily for him, Liverpool has an easy first fixture against Ipswich Town, which enters the EPL on back-to-back promotions from the EFL League One and the EFL Championship.
The Blues rode an exceptionally strong defence to 96 points last season but they didn't have to contend with a team like Liverpool.
Mo Salah, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo led an offence which scored the third-most goals (86) last season. The Reds haven't brought in any notable transfers yet, which could hurt them long-term. But we know how this group can play and I'll back them to fill the net.
Picks made at 1:12 p.m. on 08/14/24.
