EPL 2022/23 Matchweek 1 betting tips, value picks & best odds

The 2022/23 English Premier League season is finally here and we have a full slate of games this weekend. After a crazy transfer window, the intrigue for the upcoming season is at an all-time high and EPL fans are excited to see some of the teams’ new looks.

It’s shaping up to be a two-horse race for the Premier League title between Manchester City and Liverpool, but their dominance won’t make the season uninteresting. All of the ‘top six’ teams appear to have gotten better on paper and they will all be looking to improve on past seasons.

It all starts this weekend and these are our best picks, with odds courtesy of Bovada.

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Arsenal have had one of the more impressive transfer windows in all of the Premier League. They improved their squad in all aspects and have surrounded their young talent with proven veterans. Maybe we are naive, but we are in on Arsenal, and while they likely won’t compete for a title, they have top-four aspirations. They dominated in the preseason behind new signing Gabriel Jesus, who looks motivated to prove he is one of the elite Premier League strikers. Arsenal should beat Palace with ease, but with the Gunners, you never know.

Crystal Palace are largely returning the same team that finished 12th last season. Palace do not have the resources Arsenal have and they will have a tough time in this game. While Wilfried Zaha is a proven goalscorer, there are a lot of questions about who can score outside of him. Arsenal should have improved their defense enough to keep Palace at bay, and while the Eagles will be at home, that shouldn’t make up for the talent differential. Take Arsenal away and watch them try to start off their new season on the right foot.

Fulham vs Liverpool

Liverpool scored 94 goals last season and should be prolific on attack again in this coming season. While Liverpool lost Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, they brought in Darwin Nunez to pair with superstar Mohamed Salah and they shouldn’t skip a beat.

Liverpool’s attack will be a lot for any Premier League team to deal with, but Fulham will have no chance. The Reds can cover this over by themselves – scoring four goals is in their grasp. Fulham are a newly promoted team and should struggle to score on Liverpool’s defense, but if they get one, this over will hit that much easier.

Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

Newcastle are in an interesting spot. Ever since they had a cash injection from their new owner, the Magpies have been very active on the transfer market, and they will enter this season with a refreshed squad. Newcastle should be a strong team this year, and while a top-four finish may be a little out of their reach, they could be a good mid-table team. The Barcodes have built up their defense in the transfer window, and if those transfers work out, Newcastle could surprise everyone.

Nottingham Forest project to be one of the worst teams in the EPL this season. Forest earned promotion last season on a magical run in the Championship, but they may not be long for the Premier League. They do not have the resources necessary to compete at this level and the passion that carried them into the top flight will not translate in the actual Premier League. It should be a long season for Forest, and while they are a fun team, they are in for a rude awakening this year and it should start this weekend against Newcastle.

West Ham United vs Manchester City

While Manchester City will be one of the best teams in the league this season, West Ham’s could give them some trouble on the opening weekend. City have made a lot of changes in the past transfer window and they could be in for some struggles while they wait for their new squad to gel. Of course, City’s struggles are relative, and while they could still play poorly but win, it does add some extra value on West Ham’s side.


West Ham have returned essentially the same team that finished in seventh last year. The Irons are a very physical, defensively sound team, and that’s the sort of team that can give City trouble. At home, West Ham should be motivated to kick their season off in a good way, and while it may not be enough to get a result, they should limit City’s goalscoring opportunities. We are not picking City to lose; we are simply picking them to win by less than two. Take West Ham to cover the spread and watch them try to muck the game up for their benefit.

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