EPL Picks and Predictions Week 2: Best Bets for Premier League Action
Manchester City, Sunderland, and Tottenham sit atop the Premier League standings as we head into a fresh week 2 of games with plenty more chaos on the horizon. Matchweek Two features several difficult matchups starting Friday at 3 PM ET with West Ham vs Chelsea before heading into the weekend with games featuring Liverpool, Man City, Tottenham, Man United, Arsenal, and more!
Stick around for my best EPL bets for this week, with all the details and EPL odds laid out below.
EPL West Ham vs Chelsea best bet: Over 2.5 total goals -150
Chelsea had a rough start to the season based on my expectations. Not only did their game against Crystal Palace end in a draw, but it went goalless for 90+ minutes. However, the Blues still put up 19 shots, while maintaining 72% possession. Cole Palmer contributed four shots, yet Chelsea only put three on target. If Chelsea wants to take down West Ham, they must find the back of the net and improve their finishing.
On the other hand, West Ham were shut out in a shocking 3-0 defeat against newly promoted Sunderland. The team conceded two from headers, as they were hopeless against aerial threats in the box. Despite losing, the Hammers outshot (12 shots) and outpossessed (63%) their opponents, which leads me to believe they have at least 1+ goals in them. Considering Chelsea had 11 corners last game and West Ham’s weakness comes from defending high crosses, this game featuring more than 2.5 goals feels like a given.
EPL Newcastle vs Liverpool best bet: Liverpool 3-way money line -105
Newcastle has run into some major offensive issues with the omission of Alexander Isak from the squad in the last match, as the Swede had 23 goals last season. In the end, they drew Aston Villa scoreless at 0-0, even with a 13-shot lead and 61% possession. Villa even went down to 10 men in the 66’, but the Magpies still struggled to find the back of the net. Without Isak at the helm of Newcastle’s front line, it seems less than likely that the team will win against last year’s Premier League titleholders.
Liverpool had a bit of a scare in their first game against Bournemouth, but ultimately came out on top with an 88’ game-winner from Federico Chiesa, before Mohamed Salah added the insurance goal in the 90+4’. Outside of the questionable early substitutions made by Arne Slot, the team performed up to first-game standards, hitting 19 shots with 10 on target, and 62% possession. If the Reds can sort out their defensive flanks for this matchup, there’s certainly another three points on their horizon.
EPL Tottenham vs Manchester City best bet: Over 3.5 goals +105
Tottenham had a dream start with their first game against Burnley ending in a comfortable 3-0 victory. Richarlison led the way with two goals, one in the 10’ and another world-class finish in the 60’. The Spurs tallied 16 shots with six on target and dominated the game with 68% possession. Manchester City may be a different ballgame entirely, but if Richarlison stays in his current finishing form along with his teammates, Tottenham is in for another two goals at least.
Of course, Manchester City concluded Matchday One with the largest winning margin of the week (4-0). Erling Haaland was just shy of a hat-trick, with goals in the 34’ and 61’, while teammates Reijnders and Cherki added to the mix. In total, they saw 15 shots, with just the four goals being the only opportunities on target, along with 59% possession. They are certainly not lacking in goalscoring firepower this season, which leads me to believe this game will feature plenty of goals, with City likely to be the 3-1 or 3-2 victor.