Skip to content

EPL Matchday 2 betting preview: Tough trips for Liverpool, City

Pool / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.

We enjoyed a winning start to the Premier League campaign on an always tricky opening weekend and should build on that now that we've had a chance to see most of these clubs in action.

Let's add to the bankroll on Matchday 2.

Brighton (+180) at Newcastle (+155), Draw (+205)

Both of these teams impressed on opening weekend despite contrasting results. Newcastle's new signings hit the ground running in a 2-0 win at London Stadium, while Brighton posed a real threat on the attack and enjoyed some very encouraging spells against Chelsea before the Blues' quality eventually prevailed.

There are plenty of reasons for both teams to be optimistic this season. Graham Potter has assembled a really talented Brighton squad for his second season in charge, while Steve Bruce's squad boasts a wealth of Premier League experience. Neither should be troubled too much by the prospect of relegation, but Brighton will be wary of starting with successive defeats. The Seagulls are unbeaten in six league meetings between the sides since being promoted, and this has all the makings of a fourth successive draw between them.

Pick: Draw (+205)

Liverpool (+115) at Chelsea (+195), Draw (+250)

The arrival of Thiago will be really important for a Liverpool midfield in need of an injection of creativity, but the signing comes too late for him to play a part in this match. Liverpool's front-three was excellent against Leeds, but the Reds were all over the place defensively. The trip to Stamford Bridge comes at a difficult time, as things seem a bit stale for them right now.

Chelsea can make a big statement here and will be very much up for this match. We saw the problems that Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison gave the Reds, so what does that mean for them going up against Timo Werner and Kai Havertz? The Blues are still without a couple key summer recruits in Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech as well as the injured Christian Pulisic, but this fixture comes at an opportune moment for Frank Lampard, who will fancy his side's chances of stealing a point from the reigning champions.

Pick: Draw (+250)

Manchester City (-225) at Wolverhampton (+540), Draw (+335)

Manchester City belatedly begin the 2020-21 Premier League campaign in tricky fashion at Molineux against a Wolves side that did the double over them last season. The hosts have hit the ground running, easily seeing aside Sheffield United on Matchday 1, and will come into this fixture incredibly high on confidence.

The same can't be said for City at the moment. I've tipped them to win the Premier League this season, but Pep Guardiola's side will need a couple matches to integrate the new signings. Anything but their best will be punished by an in-form Wolves team with eyes on its best top-flight season yet.

Pick: Draw (+335)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox