EPL Predictions Week 1: Previews, Best Bets, and Analysis

Premier League Best Bets: Recommended Bets

• Aston Villa @ Bournemouth: Aston Villa +112 at BetRivers
• Wolves @ Leeds: Leeds United +140 at SugarHouse
• Nottingham Forest @ Newcastle United: Newcastle United (-1) +114 at SBK

The Premier League is ready for action!

The opening weekend of a Premier League season can be a challenge for bettors. While the conversation usually focuses on which teams are the likely EPL winners, there is far more at stake this year, with strong competition for European places and a dogged relegation fight on the horizon - keep in mind that it's increasingly hard to get back to the Premier League for a team that gets relegated.

Some teams will be more competitive than expected. Invariably, others will disappoint. As an added challenge, as we try to figure out who falls into these categories, we must recall that preseason performance is largely irrelevant. This leaves bettors to weigh the form from the end of the previous season while trying to factor in the impact of managerial changes and new signings. 

As the 20 Premier League clubs kick off what promises to be a tight 2022-23 campaign, here are our best picks with some of the best EPL odds bettors can find.

EPL Predictions Week 1:

Aston Villa @ Bournemouth

Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. ET on Peacock

This season will majorly test Steven Gerrard’s ability as a Premier League manager. Last season, once they’d secured safety from relegation, the Villains relaxed and coasted to the end of the season. That’s unlikely to carry over into the start of this new season.

This season, however, after making significant moves in the transfer market to land Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara, Gerrard and Aston Villa are aiming for – and expected to contend for – a top-half spot in 2022-23.

The fact that Villa is favored on the road in their season opener is evidence of these new, higher expectations.

Newly-promoted Bournemouth, meanwhile, had the fewest defeats (eight, four less than fellow promoted team, Nottingham Forest) and goals conceded in the Championship last season (39, 10% less than champions Fulham). Scott Parker has the Cherries more organized defensively than Eddie Howe did. Still, with Dominic Solanke leading the line, goals could be a significant issue at the Premier League level. 

Villa’s quality should shine through against a hard-working Bournemouth team that cannot match the Villains’ quality. 

Premier League Best Bets: Best EPL Odds

• Aston Villa +112 at BetRivers

Wolves @ Leeds United

Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. ET on Peacock

Wolves limped to the finish line in 2021-22, taking just five points from their last eight matches. Leeds, meanwhile, only dodged relegation on the season’s final day and have since lost arguably their two best players in, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, to Man City and Barcelona, respectively.

After massively overachieving in 2021-22, Wolves have been very quiet in the transfer market. As for Leeds, Jesse Marsch, the head coach who replaced soccer coaching legend Marcelo Bielsa, has impressed during his brief stint in charge.

With a proper preseason to work with his team, Marsch will certainly have Leeds looking like his team in 2022-23.
Despite their poor home form last season, there is value in backing Marsch’s team to get off to a winning start in front of an Elland Road crowd that’s sure to be on fire.

Premier League Best Bets: Best EPL Odds

• Leeds United +140 at SugarHouse

Nottingham Forest @ Newcastle United

Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. ET on Peacock

Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to the Premier League begins with a significant test. Newcastle United were a revelation under Eddie Howe, and St James’ Park is once again a fortress – only Liverpool has picked up more points (28) at home than Newcastle (22) in 2022.

Forest will undoubtedly be full of energy, and Jesse Lingard adds some much-needed quality to the side. Still, Newcastle is a force to be reckoned with at home these days. And, as usual, over 40,000 Geordies will be on hand for the season opener, creating a raucous atmosphere.

This should be a fun match for the neutral, with both teams attacking at pace. Given the high price of backing Newcastle on the moneyline, the call here is to back the hosts against a one-goal spread for an added payout.

Premier League Best Bets: Best EPL Odds

• Newcastle United (-1) +114 at SBK

Conclusion

Fans are excited for the new season to return, and in this article, we looked at the early fixtures that feature mid-table teams. There'll be more content on the big teams coming soon. If you're looking for more soccer content, read our guide: How To Bet on Soccer, and visit our odds comparison tool to compare the latest odds.