The English Premier League got the domestic season off to an exciting start and now La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga are set to join the party this weekend, and we've got you covered with our betting primer.
Manchester United thumped Chelsea in their opener, what will they do for an encore against Wolverhampton installed as slight favorites? We break down the odds for this match and much more with betting tips, trends and picks for the weekend's action on the pitch.
TIME FOR A REBOUND
The 2019-20 season couldn't have gotten off to a worse start for Chelsea, who will look to bounce back as they welcome Leicester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Blues (-143) were bloodied in their EPL opener – dropping a 4-0 decision to Manchester United last weekend – before suffering a heartbreaking defeat on penalties to Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup earlier this week. And there's no guarantee of a make-good result Sunday against a Leicester squad (+375) that earned four of a possible six points in two meetings between the clubs last season.
UNITED THEY STAND
What will Ole Gunnar Solskjær's troops do for an encore? That question will be on the minds of fans and bettors alike as United look for their second consecutive dominant victory Monday vs. host Wolverhampton. Visiting United are installed as modest +125 favorites to prevail in Matchweek 2, though they are enduring some turmoil with Alexis Sanchez hoping to be transferred out before the Sept. 7 transfer window closes. Wolves (+230) opened the season with a scoreless draw at Leicester and have two wins and a tie in their previous three meetings with Manchester United.
ARE REAL FOR REAL?
Real Madrid begin their quest for Spanish domestic soccer supremacy this weekend as they visit Celta Vigo. The defending third-place club open the season as the second favorites at +162, behind defending champion Barcelona – and Saturday's encounter should provide a golden opportunity to build some momentum, with the visitors installed at -167. Little is expected of Celta Vigo (+400) following last year's 17th-place performance, one which saw them finish just four points out of the relegation zone. Real Madrid have three wins and three draws in the last six head-to-head meetings between the sides.
MAYBE THIS YEAR
Borussia Dortmund came oh-so-close to unseating powerhouse Bayern Munich in last year's Bundesliga race – and oddsmakers aren't overly optimistic that they'll make good on that goal in 2019-20. Dortmund are a distant second in the futures odds at +400 to win the title entering Saturday's season-opening encounter with visiting Augsburg. Bayern are as stacked as ever and sit at -400, though Dortmund is expected to get off to a good start this season, listed as -500 favorites against an Augsburg unit (+1200) that finished 15th in 2018-19 and has lost 11 of its past 12 away matches in league play.
BETTING TRENDS
• Arsenal have ratcheted up their dominance against Burnley in recent meetings as the teams renew hostilities Saturday at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have won each of the past 10 meetings between the clubs and have been particularly ruthless of late, outscoring Burnley 11-2 in the last three tilts. Arsenal -1 is a rather appealing handicap play here at -120.
• Everton have a rather impressive clean sheet streak they're carrying over into the 2019-20 season as they prepare to entertain Watford in a Saturday encounter. The hosts have shut out each of their previous five opponents at Goodison Park, and are installed at +162 to extend that goalless run against a Watford side that has lost four straight league matches.
• Are we going to see a high-scoring affair or a defensive battle this weekend when Manchester City host Tottenham? No one knows for sure; four of the past 12 meetings between the teams have produced just one goal, while seven others have seen three or more goals scored. Bettors are getting +150 on the under-2.5-goal option and a rather unfriendly -188 on the O2.5.
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• Leganes ended the 2018-19 La Liga season with a whimper, failing to score in their final three home games. But this weekend could represent a fresh start for the defending 13th-place club, with the home side scoring two goals in each of the past four meetings with Saturday visitor Osasuna. Taking Leganes on the O1.5 team goal prop is worth a tantalizing +137.
• Real Betis and Real Valladolid have seen a healthy share of low-scoring games as they get ready to kick off the Spanish league season Sunday at Benito Villamarín Stadium. The teams have gone below the 2.5-goal threshold in three consecutive meetings, combining for five goals in that span. Bettors might want to consider the U2.5 this weekend at -138.
• Atletico Madrid fans will almost certainly roll out the red carpet for Getafe as the La Liga rivals kick off the campaign Sunday. Atletico have thoroughly dominated the head-to-head series in their own stadium, leading at half-time and full-time in each of their previous nine meetings there. An Atletico-Atletico double in Sunday's tilt is a strong play at +120.
• It's one of the most impressive streaks in European domestic soccer – and Dortmund would love nothing more than to extend it Saturday against Augsburg. The defending Bundesliga runners-up have scored two or more goals in 17 consecutive home games, including a 4-3 triumph over Augsburg last season. Dortmund O2.5 is set at -125 for this weekend's tete-a-tete.
• Looking for a surprise offensive outburst? Wolfsburg might be a candidate as they kick off their German league calendar Saturday vs. visiting Cologne. Wolfsburg have won seven consecutive home games and will host a Cologne side that has allowed three or more goals in three straight. It might be worth taking a shot on Wolfsburg O2.5 at an appealing +240.
TEAM NEWS
• Arsenal will have two of its best players back in the fold just in time for its weekend EPL showdown with Burnley. Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac have returned to the team after missing the Gunners' season opener due to security concerns. Arsenal are -900 favorites in this one, so backers might want to consider the Arsenal-Arsenal double at a much friendlier -110.
• Real Madrid might not end up with Neymar, but it won't be for lack of trying. Several players on the team are openly recruiting the disgruntled Paris Saint-Germain star, who is likely on his way out of Ligue 1; Real Madrid and Barcelona are both high on the list of potential destinations. Barca enter the season as -163 favorites to repeat as La Liga champions.
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