English Premier League (EPL) Week 1 Preview, Odds & Picks (2022)
In line with football season here in the United States, international football returns in the coming weeks as well, with week one slated for this weekend in the English Premier League. With the World Cup just a few months away, the world’s top players will hope to reach peak form by then, and with training camps over, the action is ready in England.
Let’s take a close look at a few games going down in week one that I have my eye on.
Friday Games
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
Coming in off a season where they fell just two points short of qualifying for the Champions League, Arsenal is no doubt on a mission in 2022. If their recently friendly performances are any indication, they should be just fine in this opening game on the road at Crystal Palace.
In their past five games in the lead-up to this season opener, Arsenal has won all five with a goal differential of +16.
As for Crystal Palace, last season, they finished #12 on the table and will look to improve this season with what they see as a bolstered roster. Over their last five games this summer, Crystal Palace is 3-1-1, with their last win coming on July 30th against Montpellier 4-2.
Looking to not start this season with the way they did the last one, with a bad loss to Brentford, look for the Gunners to come out of the gates strong here, led by new signing Gabriel Jesus.
Pick: Arsenal -125
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Saturday Games
Fulham vs. Liverpool
Two teams on opposite sides of the table will face off in this early morning Sunday matchup as Liverpool travels to take on the recently promoted Fulham. For Liverpool, they come into this season following one in which they won 28 of 38 games to finish the season #2 on the table behind only Manchester City.
Fulham, on the other hand, performed well in the second tier of the EPL, losing in the English League Championship game 0-4 to Sheffield United. From what we’ve seen in the friendly schedule this summer, Fulham could have some issues, as they’ve gone 2-1-1 but finished with a goal differential of 0.
Liverpool, on the other hand, is 3-1-1 in their summer matchups, finishing with a goal differential of +5, including picking up the English FA Community Shield on July 30th with a win over Manchester City.
Look for the Reds to get off to a strong start here, putting Fulham in their place out of the gates.
Pick: Liverpool -2 (+200)
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