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The Premier League is back and so is the RotoBaller soccer team. We're offering up our favorite betting pick for each game along with a score prediction and will include a player to look out for in fantasy from each fixture. Before you read on, remember these essential things: betting on sports should be fun. If you aren't having fun with it, stop. And never bet what you can't afford to lose.
Just two weeks into the season and the top of the table has a familiar feel to it. Brighton leads the way but is followed by last season's top two and the preseason favorites for relegation are all without a point. We've gotten ourselves off to a solid start to the campaign too, with plenty of successful FPL picks and bagging three parlays already.
We've been cranking up the soccer content at RotoBaller, too. We're still bringing you dedicated DFS and Fantasy Premier League content on top of the weekly preview and betting content, which can be found if you click here. Follow the team on Twitter (@LucidMediaDFS, @PhilOfSports, @EuanOrYouOut, @df_solutions, and yours truly @Baseball_Jimbo), and reach out to any of us if you ever have any soccer questions.
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Friday, August 25, 2023
Chelsea (-450) vs Luton Town (+1200) - 3:00 pm ET
Score prediction: Chelsea 2 – 0 Luton Town
Chelsea still seek their first win of the season following last week's 3-1 defeat at West Ham United. In both games, Chelsea has had periods of domination but still looks disjointed. Luton had last weekend off after their home game with Burnley was postponed as their ground isn't yet ready to host EPL games. It will at least have given them more time to prepare for this game.
FPL Pick: Raheem Sterling
Sterling linked up well with Nicolas Jackson last week. Solly March gave the Luton defense all sorts of problems in the opening game playing wide right. Sterling will hope to be the attacking catalyst for Chelsea on Friday in a similar manner to March.
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Bournemouth (+245) vs Tottenham (+100) - 07:30 am ET
Score prediction: Bournemouth 1 – 2 Tottenham
Bournemouth threatened an upset last week, taking an early lead at Liverpool before falling to a 3-1 defeat. Despite looking lively in the early goings, they still lack defensive solidity. Tottenham picked up their first win last week, defeating a disappointing Manchester United side 2-0. It was a second-half performance they will seek to build on.
FPL Pick: Son Heung-min
After a disappointing season last year, the new Tottenham captain will want to prove he can perform without Harry Kane. He's yet to tally a goal involvement but did find the net against Bournemouth last season. In the two games last campaign, Son had seven shots with five hitting the target.
Arsenal (-425) vs Fulham (+1100) - 10:00 am ET
Score prediction: Arsenal 3 – 0 Fulham
Arsenal had to grind out a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Monday. They controlled the game until being reduced to ten men but showed resoluteness to take the three points. Fulham's fortunate win at Everton was followed by a poor performance against Brentford. They will need to invest the money they received for the sale of Aleksandar Mitrović if they are to avoid a relegation battle this year.
FPL Pick: Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah hit the woodwork and missed another great chance on Monday. He looked really sharp in the first half and if Fulham does seek to defend deep and deny Arsenal space, his movement in the final third could be the key to unlocking their defense. Nketiah was fouled for Arsenal's penalty on Monday which awarded him the assist in FPL so he now has two goal involvements in two games.
With Gabriel Jesus out, is Eddie Nketiah starting to look like a bargain at £5.5m before the international break? 🤔#FPL pic.twitter.com/DPMVtFdC0S
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 22, 2023
Brentford (+105) vs Crystal Palace (+260) - 10:00 am ET
Score prediction: Brentford 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
Brentford's impressive start to the season continued as they beat Fulham 3-0. They needed some luck, however, with the first goal coming from a defensive howler and the second from a contentious penalty. Palace put on a good display against Arsenal but didn't threaten until the visitors had a player sent off. They still look like they lack goals.
FPL Pick: Yoane Wissa
Wissa benefited from Fulham's defensive lapse last weekend and is filling in Ivan Toney's considerable boots. He's scored two goals in two games and his pace and sharpness in the penalty area could be key to breaking down what should be a stubborn defense.
Everton (+125) vs Wolves (+220) - 10:00 am ET
Score prediction: Everton 1 – 0 Wolves
Everton capitulated to a 4-0 defeat last time out and will need to improve dramatically to avoid another season near the foot of the table. Wolves are in a similar boat having lost 4-1 at Brighton and with goals hard to come by for both sides, it could be decided by whoever scores first.
FPL Pick: Abdoulaye Doucouré
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's miserable injury luck continued last weekend as he was forced off following a facial injury. He's set to miss out, as does Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil. Doucouré looked likeliest to score for Everton in their opening game after Neil Maupay's collection of missed chances. He should continue in the advanced role he has been deployed in so far this season.
Manchester United (-340) vs Nottingham Forest (+800) - 10:00 am ET
Score prediction: Manchester United 2 – 0 Nottingham Forest
It's been a poor start to the season for United. A fortunate win against Wolves was followed by a poor showing at Tottenham and questions are being raised about their top-four credentials. They kept more clean sheets at home last season than any other team while Forest scored the fewest away goals of anyone so I do expect the hosts to eke out a close win.
FPL Pick: Luke Shaw
United's attack has been a real disappointment so far and it might take a set-piece or an unlikely source to break down the Forest defense. Shaw could be that player and also stands to pick up a clean sheet if the game goes as expected. Despite their blank last weekend, Shaw was the most creative player on the pitch.
Brighton (-200) vs West Ham United (+500) - 12:30 pm ET
Back-to-back 4-1 wins have seen Brighton sit atop the early league table. This looks to be their toughest challenge so far and while I still expect them to find the net, they haven't kept a clean sheet yet. West Ham's counter-attack exploited Chelsea's defense last week and this game could be played in a similar manner. Brighton will look to force the game with West Ham exploiting them on the break.
Score prediction: Brighton 2 – 2 West Ham United
FPL Pick: Michail Antonio
Antonio is the ideal forward for West Ham's counter-attacking style and if they are to get anything from this game, he will most likely have a big part to play in it, scoring or assisting a goal.
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Burnley (+240) vs Aston Villa (+105) - 09:00 am ET
Score prediction: Burnley 1 – 2 Aston Villa
Burnley has had an extra week to recover from their opening-day loss against Manchester City. It's difficult to tell where they are right now given that's been their only game. Villa thumped Everton after being thumped themselves by Newcastle. This game should be a closer affair but the visitors should have just enough to take the three points.
FPL Pick: Moussa Diaby
The Summer signing has impressed so far and could've had his second goal of the season last weekend. A combination of goalkeeper and post denied him against Everton before he was subbed off early with the points secured. He leads the team in expected non-penalty goals and assists after two games.
Sheffield United (+1400) vs Manchester City (-550) - 09:00 am ET
Score prediction: Sheffield United 0 – 3 Manchester City
Sheffield United came close to picking up their first point but a late Nottingham Forest winner denied them last Friday. It looks set to be a difficult first season back in the top flight. City showed their ability to win close-fought games, beating Newcastle 1-0. Phil Foden stepped up in replacing the injured Kevin De Bruyne and their squad depth remains the best in the league.
Phil Foden has created more chances (5) than every other player on the pitch combined (4).
Running things. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/e1tbRkphpx
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 19, 2023
FPL Pick: Erling Haaland
Haaland failed to score last weekend after bagging a brace to begin the campaign. Only three times last season Haaland failed to score in consecutive league games and I don't foresee him making it back-to-back games without a goal this week.
Newcastle United (+115) vs Liverpool (+200) - 11:30 am ET
Score prediction: Newcastle United 2 – 1 Liverpool
Arguably the game of the weekend sees two top-four hopefuls meet. You need to go back to December 2015 (14 games ago) for Newcastle's last win against Liverpool. They will probably not have a better chance to end that streak against a Liverpool side that still hasn't worked through their midfield issues.
FPL Pick: Alexander Isak
Isak has gotten the nod ahead of Callum Wilson, starting both of their games so far. He scored a brace against Aston Villa in the opening game of the season. Isak also scored Newcastle's only goal against Liverpool last season and will need to keep finding the net if he is to retain the starting striker role.
Betting Picks
The below table gives the odds for each of the three main plays for each game (moneyline, total goals, and both teams to score). My favorite pick from each game is highlighted if you are looking to build a parlay.
| Game | Moneyline | Over/Under 2.5 | BTTS |
| Chelsea 2 – 0 Luton | Chelsea -450 | U2.5 +160 | No -135 |
| Bournemouth 1 – 2 Tottenham | Tottenham +100 | O2.5 -170 | Yes -190 |
| Arsenal 3 – 0 Fulham | Arsenal -425 | O2.5 -220 | No -125 |
| Brentford 1 – 1 Crystal Palace | Draw +250 | U2.5 -135 | Yes -125 |
| Everton 1 – 0 Wolves | Everton +125 | U2.5 -145 | No -105 |
| Man United 2 – 0 Notts Forest | Man United -340 | U2.5 +150 | No -110 |
| Brighton 2 – 2 West Ham | Draw +260 | O2.5 -185 | Yes -155 |
| Burnley 1 – 2 Aston Villa | Aston Villa +105 | O2.5 -125 | Yes -155 |
| Sheff United 0 – 3 Man City | Man City -550 | O2.5 -180 | No -185 |
| Newcastle 2 – 1 Liverpool | Newcastle +115 | O2.5 -215 | Yes -240 |
| Season totals | 13/19 | 14/19 | 11/19 |
| Season parlays | 1/2 (+1.76 u) | 1/2 (+4.30 u) | 1/2 (+4.91 u) |
Good luck with those FPL teams and EPL bets. Remember to bet responsibly!
