Here are some select predictions for the first weekend of the 2021/2022 season. Odds and lines from Bovada:
Premier League
Aston Villa (+130) @ Watford
Aston Villa had an underrated transfer window. Yes, they lost star Jack Grealish to Manchester City, but they re-invested the 100 million pounds received for Grealish back into the squad. Villa strengthened the squad with Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings, and Leon Bailey. Villa has a strong backline anchored by Matty Cash and Tyrone Mings, and I expect their offensive firepower to overwhelm the newly-promoted Watford.
West Ham United (+120) @ Newcastle United
West Ham finished in a Europa League place last season, which surprised teams throughout Europe. While they didn’t make any big moves this offseason, they brought in Alphonse Areola on loan to provide competition for Fabianski, and bought big, experienced center-back Craig Dawson from Watford after a successful loan spell last season. The biggest win for West Ham was hanging on to midfield duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. This game could come down to midfield play, and between Rice, Soucek, and Fornals, West Ham should win the midfield battle.
Leicester City vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Over 2.5 goals: +105)
Betting goals on the first weekend is always risky business, and this game is no different. However, both teams have backline issues. For Wolverhampton, the backline was sloppy last season, giving up nearly 1.5 goals per game last season. The combination of a leaky backline, new addition Jose Sa coordinating that backline in goal, and Leicester’s attacking power (including the addition of Patson Daka) could lead to some serious problems. For Leicester, their backline has a significant injury problem. Wesley Fofana looks to be out for the season, and Jonny Evans has a foot injury and should be unavailable. These injury issues, combined with Wolves attacking power, could spell a bad start to the season for Leicester. This game has the potential to have serious offensive fireworks, so over 2.5 goals is certainly realistic.
La Liga
Real Betis (+ 125) @ RCD Mallorca
Real Betis finished in a Europa League spot in La Liga last season. If Betis had any weakness, it was on the wings for the backline and in goal. Betis took steps to resolve those issues, signing Juan Miranda, Rui Silva, and Youssouf Sabaly while retaining their attacking talent. Mallorca, on the other hand, was promoted back to La Liga from La Liga 2. While the Balearic-based team made some moves during the summer transfer window, most notably signing Angel Rodriguez and Takefusa Kubo (on loan from Real Madrid), Mallorca did not make enough moves to play Betis tight throughout all 90 minutes.
Atletico Madrid (-105) @ Celta Vigo
Atletico not only returns the bulk of their 2020/2021 La Liga title team, but also added Copa America winner Rodrigo de Paul and free agent Marcos Paulo. It could be argued that Atletico Madrid improved during the summer transfer window. Meanwhile in Galicia, Celta Vigo made no major moves, signing Javi Galan and former Benfica winger Franco Cervi. Atletico Madrid is a complete team and likely expect to beat the Galacians handily.
Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen (+155) @ Union Berlin
This is a risky game to bet. Leverkusen lost Leon Bailey, but are still a very talented team, hanging on to Paulinho, Florian Wirtz, and Patrik Schick. Additionally, Leverkusen added big center-back Odilon Kossounou to its backline. On the other side, Union Berlin, who finished 7th in the Bundesliga last season, had a knack for frustrating the opposition’s offense and getting points from a draw. Berlin added more players known for being stingy defenders during the 2021 summer transfer window, including Rani Khedira. The odds are good at +155, but bettors beware.
Ligue 1
AS Monaco (-0.5/-1: -105) @ Lorient
The combination of new talent (Myron Boadu and Alex Nubel) and young talent that is developing well (Benoit Badiashile and Aurelien Tchouameni) means that Monaco is going to be a force to reckon with this season. They were potentially dark horse title contenders for Ligue 1 until PSG signed Messi. Monaco is talented defensively, offensively, and in the midfield. Meanwhile, Lorient, who finished midtable in Ligue 1 last season, made no key additions. Most expect Monaco to dispose of Lorient easily in the second weekend of Ligue 1.
Marseille (-1: -105) v. Bordeaux
Marseille had an underrated 2021 summer transfer window, adding Gerson on a permanent transfer from Flamengo, and taking Pau Lopez, Cengiz Under, William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi on loan. Already strong up top with Milik (injured) and Benedetto, adding Guendouzi and Gerson should solidify and help control midfield play in front of what looks to be a fairly talented backline. Bordeaux has yet to finalize any major moves this summer, but may bid on Hondoran forward Alberth Elis, currently at Boavista and formerly of the MLS. While Bordeaux does return a young, talented squad, Marseille should win their 2021/2022 home opener.
Predictions are not guarantees and should not be taken as guarantees. Gambling is a risky endeavor that can lead to the loss of money. Do not bet more than you can lose. Have a gambling problem? Call 1 (800) 522-4700
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