Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal: Premier League Opening Game Bets
VS.
It may seem like only yesterday that the 2021/22 Premier League season came to an end, but the new campaign is very much on the horizon. That means a world of betting opportunities is just around the corner, and we are here to help you make the most of your sports betting strategy.
Profit Squad’s betting experts will seek to give you the edge with your football bets and will do so via key tips for all the most meaningful clashes, starting with the season opener at Selhurst Park.
This London derby gets the season up and running on Friday night, and it promises to be a tightly fought affair as Patrick Vieira takes on his former club. The French boss had a solid first season in charge of the Eagles and has become a team that is very hard to beat.
Hard to Beat
Vieira has brought in a number of new additions, with West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone and Cheick Doucoure perhaps proving the more significant signings, along with Chris Richards, the youngster bidding farewell to Bayern Munich after failing to make the grade.
Perhaps the biggest draw back to Vieira’s plans is the absence of Conor Gallagher, with the 22-year-old England international midfielder moving back to Chelsea following his hugely successful loan spell in South London.
Gallagher’s efforts earned him a Player of the Year award and leaves a rather large gap in the centre of the park, one that Vieira will hope can be filled.
Last season Palace had the upper hand over the Gunners, drawing 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium in October and thumping Arsenal 3-0 at home.
Crystal Palace are now Premier League regulars, into their ninth season in succession in the top-tier; last season’s 12th place finish was based very much on a solid back-line with the club conceding 46 goals in all, which is their best defensive display in the top-flight.
Scoring goals proved tougher, but Wilfried Zaha led the way with a Premier League high of 14, and the winger will continue to be Palace’s real trump card.
New Look Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side made big strides in 2021/22 and only a poor run of form in the final weeks cost the team a top-four finish, but the Spaniard has invested very well over the summer, and they’ll be confident of making a real splash.
In come Man City pair Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, as does Fabio Vieira from FC Porto, as well as American keeper Matt Turner and Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos and their pre-season form has been strong.
Matches between Palace and Arsenal are usually quite feisty, and the one aspect that many have derided the North London club over is the lack of fight. There is a sense that Arteta is working in the right direction in that regard, and we feel that this makes an away win the right bet when it comes to the Premier League’s first match of the season.
There is a youthful zeal to Arsenal now, and led by new captain Martin Odegaard, who is also the national team skipper for Norway, there is a lot of upcoming talent that has a good grounding in Premier League experience.
Bukayo Saka was inspired last season, and the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe also provide freshness in the attack that makes the club very exciting to watch.
Arteta welcomed centre-back William Saliba back from a successful loan spell at Marseille, and that offers the club a strong defensive option, and no doubt the Frenchman will fight Ben White to partner Gabriel in the central defensive roles, and Aaron Ramsdale is a safe pair of hands behind them.
Best Bets
Gabriel Jesus to Score First – 5/1
Arsenal paid City £45m for the 25-year-old, and in pre-season, he’s been simply unstoppable, scoring seven goals, including the opener against Chelsea in their 4-0 friendly win in Orlando, as well as a hat-trick in a 6-0 thumping of Sevilla.
The odds on this bet are not amazing, but it’s a Premier League bet you can’t afford to miss.
Arsenal to win 3-0 – 13/1
There’s a renewed confidence in the air, and we think Arsenal will just have too much for their hosts, and if they score early, that sense of belief will only grow. Back Arteta to secure a big opening night win.
