Premier League Matchday 1: Opening Season Betting Picks & Predictions

Three. More. Days.

The grueling wait is almost over. The sizzling football summer had us indulge in what’s arguably been one of the best World Cup tournaments in history but the tedious football-free rest is now over with world’s most entertaining – and arguably the best competition set to start on Friday night.

You know it already, the Premier League 2018/19 action kicks off with Manchester United welcoming Leicester City at Old Trafford in a highly anticipated curtain-raiser. And in this article you will be given a Matchday 1 preview along with some most interesting betting picks and predictions that will most certainly help you spice up the action this weekend, and throughout the season.

If the 2017/18 campaign is anything to go by, we should be in for …

Brian McFadden hopes he and Boyzone stars are all that Chorley need to reach EFL

Brian McFadden wants Chorley fans to dream of the Football League after bringing some pop star glamour to Victory Park.

The former Westlife singer took his place in Chorley’s small VIP stand along with prospective fellow investors Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch from Boyzone for Saturday’s FA Trophy fifth-round tie against Solihull Moors.

Clad in Chorley shirts and clutching pints of beer, the trio were happy to sign autographs and take pictures for fans, with their presence the only topic of conversation around the ground.

It has not yet been confirmed exactly what role McFadden, Lynch, Duffy and Boyzone lead singer Ronan Keating, who could not attend the match, will play at the club.

But McFadden revealed a deal is near, telling the PA news agency: “I…

Last-gasp Sevilla steal Champions League spot

Teenager Rios Rodri scored a stoppage time winner as 10-man Sevilla sealed fourth place and Champions League qualification with a last-gasp 3-2 win at Almeria on Saturday to leave Real Mallorca in tears.

Mallorca were seconds away from sealing fourth thanks to a 2-0 home win over Espanyol but 19-year-old Rodri, a product of the Sevilla youth system, scored with virtually the last kick of the game in a goal worth millions to his side.

Sevilla had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Alvaro Negredo on 64 minutes for abusing the linesman and were clinging on to their 2-1 lead.

Almeria, who had nothing to play for, then equalised at 2-2 through Juanma Ortiz s brilliant 78th minute strike and had chances to go ahead in a frantic closing 10 minutes.

Everton v Leicester City: Martinez lauds inspirational Premier League leaders

Roberto Martinez considers Leicester City an inspiration as he prepares his Everton side for the visit of the Premier League leaders on Saturday.

Claudio Ranieri s team returned to the summit with an impressive 2-1 victory over defending champions Chelsea on Monday.

Jamie Vardy took his Premier League tally this season to 15 with the opening goal, while Riyad Mahrez – who has been involved in 18 top-flight goals this season – also hit the back of the net as Leicester extended their unbeaten run to nine matches by winning what proved to be Jose Mourinho’s last game as Chelsea boss.

Everton manager Martinez thinks seeing a team with a smaller budget exceed expectations on a consistent basis proves to others there is always a chance of pulling off a surprise…

Verratti happy at PSG

The agent of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, Donati Di Campli, has insisted his client is happy at the Parc des Princes amid reports linking him with a move to Barcelona.

This week, reports in the Spanish media claimed Di Campli met Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa,fueling speculation suggesting Verratti could be on his way to Spain.

Although Barcelona s summer signings cannot be fielded until January due to a transfer ban handed down by FIFA, the Spanish champions have already completed the signings of Aleix Vidal (Sevilla) and Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid) and Verratti could be the next player to arrive.

However, Di Campli is adamant Verratti is happy in the French capital.

I haven t seen Freixa, as was report…

Everton submit Hojbjerg bid

Everton have made an offer of around £14 million to Southampton for the services of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, according to The Times journalist .

The 24-year-old midfielder is also of reported interest to Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have Kyle Walker-Pieters on loan at St Mary s, and there are reports that they are willing to make the right-back a part of the deal for Hojbjerg, but it seems the Merseysiders have decided to try and beat them to the punch.

Hojbjerg was made Southampton captain at the start of the 2019/20 season but he hasn t worn the armband since the pandemic-caused break, despite starting twice. Overall, he has played 37 times in all competitions for the Saints this term, 32 in the Premier League.

There were hints coming from Hojbjerg himself during t…

Prediction: Paris SG vs Saint-Etienne

Verdict: Over 3,5 goals scored yes

Best Odds:

Bookmaker: 

PSG and Saint-Etienne will play the Coupe de France final on Friday. Les Parisiens are massive favourites ahead of the matchup, although St. Etienne might have enough weapons to pull the upset if things go their way. This pivotal contest will kick-off Friday at 20:10 GMT.

Paris SG

PSG won the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season with a dominant performance all year long. Les Parisiens were the class of the league once again and posted a W22, D2, L3 record on route to a comfortable trophy. Led by Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, the French outfit is now looking at the Coupe de France final, the League Cup final, and the final stages of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League. They appear as massive favourites in this cont…

Japan hero Honda wants to move to Europe´s elite

Japan s World Cup hero and CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda has confirmed his desire to move to Europe s bigger clubs, with Real Madrid ultimately in his sights, press reports said Tuesday.

Honda scored two goals and set up another in leading Japan to their first-ever World Cup second-round on foreign soil, amid media reports linking him with a move to AC Milan.

Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Chelsea and Manchester City are also believed to be interested in signing Honda, who turned 24 on the eve of Japan s 1-0 upset of Cameroon in their World Cup opener.

Japan lost 1-0 to the Netherlands but stunned Denmark 3-1 in their final group game to reach the last 16. They bowed out to Paraguay 5-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw.

I think you all kn…

Football rumours: Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd future in balance until end of season

What the papers say

Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to wait until the end of the season before deciding on the future of manager Erik ten Hag, reports the Daily Star.

Meanwhile, Liverpool knocked back an approach from Chelsea for forward Darwin Nunez last summer, says The Times.

According to the Independent, Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is a leading contender to replace Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp if they miss the chance to secure Xabi Alonso .

Social media round-up

Bayern’s new manager will also be involved in decision over Mathys Tel’s future.

Tel wants to stay at Bayern, he loves the club but needs more guarantees on game time.

His departure would have been likely if Tuchel had remained at Bayern.

�…

Premier League: Fulham 1 Norwich 0

Fulham continued their bid for a great escape with a 1-0 win over fellow Premier League strugglers Norwich City.

Hugo Rodallega, who famously netted at Stoke City to preserve Wigan Athletic s top-flight status in 2011, was rewarded with a start by Fulham boss Felix Magath after sealing last weekend s 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

The Colombian striker once again proved himself adept amid a scrap for survival as he stole in to score the only goal five minutes before half-time.

Fulham were indebted to goalkeeper David Stockdale for a pair of magnificent saves, while Norwich playing for the first time under club stalwart Neil Adams after Chris Hughton s sacking last Sunday also struck the crossbar through Robert Snodgrass.

But Magath s men played with greater assurance af…