Premier League Best Bets – August 23

Manchester City have to start the new season well, with pressure already creeping in on Enzo Maresca following an insipid performance against Arsenal in the Community Shield. It is incredible to think that before a true competitive match, Maresca is already under pressure, but such is the chasm that Pep Guardiola has left at the Etihad Stadium. Of course, it does not help that arguably the best midfielder in the world in Rodri is departing the club, while their first game in an almost-competitive match ended in a 3-0 loss to Arsenal. However, as with any top club that has spent a lot of money across the summer, the fans and the board expect.

Returning to the Premier League, City will be confident they can build on a pair of 3-1 wins over Bournemouth across their last two home matches against the Cherries. Erling Haaland scored a brace against the Cherries when they last met, and I back the forward to build on the 27 goals he scored in the league for City last term.

Bournemouth have the opportunity to get under the skin of Manchester City in their first competitive match under Enzo Maresca. The Cherries arrive having lost one of their last 22 games across competitions, with this run including 10 wins and 11 draws. Their run is incredibly impressive, although it was brought to an end in their last friendly as they were beaten 2-1 by Mainz. The main focus this week will be on trying to keep Erling Haaland quiet. The Norwegian has proved too good for the backlines of most teams, and I predict that the Cherries will fail to keep him out.

Both Newcastle and Liverpool were well below their expected levels last season, and the pair will be desperate to use their clash with another underachiever to their advantage. It is all change for Newcastle with Eddie Howe replaced as manager and the core of their midfield in Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes departing, while Anthony Gordon left for Barcelona earlier in the window. While they have raised in excess of £200million, they are yet to seriously bolster their own squad with top-quality talent. Heading into the new season, the Magpies have lost their last three, while they have been beaten in four of their seven friendlies, winning twice and drawing once. This season will likely be a very tough one for Newcastle, and I predict it will start with a third consecutive loss to the Reds.

Liverpool have to be better this season after a fifth-placed finish saw Arne Slot lose his job as manager of the club. 17 wins, nine draws and 12 defeats saw Liverpool pick up 60 points, meaning they finished 25 points short of Arsenal at the summit. In pre-season, the Reds have struggled, losing two of their last four, drawing once and winning once. While pre-season is not always the barometer of how a team will start, this will be a worry for new coach Andoni Iraola.

Both sides have scored in six of the last seven matches between the pair, while the Reds have won their last two against the Magpies. While I do not predict a simple win for the travelling side, I do back them to take all three points in their opener.