Premier League picks — Liverpool to catch Arsenal cold as Pep gets off to a winning start at City

The first weekend of the Premier League is almost upon us, and here at Sportsbet.io we have the whole season covered.

What an exciting season it promises to be — with some of the best managers in the world joining the league in Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola, as well as some of the best talent, in Paul Pogba, Granit Xhaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

After Leicester shocked the world by taking the trophy last year, the title race is wide open this time around, with any one of seven teams holding out hopes of winning the league. Sportsbet.io make Manchester City favourites at 2.10, but a lot can change between now and May.

To kick off our Premier League picks for this season we have two big matches, as Arsenal host Liverpool, and Guardiola’s Man City host Sunderland.

Arsenal v Liverpool — Sunday 14 August

While all of the top sides have strengthened significantly this summer, it’s been another quiet window for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

Wenger has kept his hand in his pocket (other than signing Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach), and with key players such as Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey still missing after their Euro 2016 exertions, it’s a threadbare squad that welcomes Liverpool to the Emirates on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, has spent a lot as he looks to improve a squad that almost won two cups last year. Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum are the eye-catching additions to a squad that looks to be going places.

After a fine pre-season, which included beating Barcelona 4–0 last Saturday, I like the look of Klopp’s confident outfit against an under-strength Arsenal.

Sportsbet.io make them 3.07 to win on Sunday, which I like the look of.

Manchester City v Sunderland — Saturday 13 August

The Pep Guardiola revolution begins at the Etihad on Saturday, as last year’s Champions League semi-finalists welcome Sunderland.

City have unsurprisingly spent big in the window, with Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Nolito bolstering an already formidable attack, Ilkay Gundogan adding steel in midfield, and John Stones brought in from Everton this week in defence.

With Pep in charge, and the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne already in place, this is a team that can go places this season and beyond.

Sunderland have a new manager too in David Moyes, who I think is a good appointment.

However, I don’t think he’ll be able to do much against the might of City.

Sportsbet.io make it 1.26 for a Man City win, as well as 2.71 for the hosts to score more than 1.5 goals in the first half, which with Guardiola’s Barca style of play could give a nice return.

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