With the 2023/24 Premier League campaign getting underway this weekend, neutrals are treated to what is a heavyweight Sunday schedule. On an afternoon that will be stolen by Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge, we have taken an in-depth look at both of Sunday’s mouth-watering affairs.
14:00 Brentford vs Tottenham
Brentford:
Starting with the hosts, while Brentford might have eventually missed out on the chance to punch a famous European ticket, Thomas Frank’s men certainly gained a string of plaudits. Only continuing to impress since making their Premier League return, the Bees should still find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign with another remarkable performance as they claimed a 1-0 victory against reigning champions Manchester City, Brentford won five of their final 16 top-flight appearances and they have certainly proven that they can mix it with the Premier League’s elite. With their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine European charge this time around, Frank’s men will also be excited also gained a reputation for their dominance in west London. In fact, the Bees suffered just a single loss from any of their final 10 domestic showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stemmed all the way back to January 7th.
Team News:
Breaking their transfer record this summer as they snapped up former Wolves defender Nathan Collins in a £20.5million deal, the 22-year-old will make his full debut on Sunday afternoon and start at the heart of Frank’s defence.
Unable to call upon attacking talisman and England international Ivan Toney until January, former Freiburg attacker Kevin Schade should spearhead the Bees’ charge this weekend.
Tottenham:
As for the visitors, enduring a public Premier League struggle and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Tottenham will know that they have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around. Missing out on booking any kind of European adventure, Spurs will get a new era underway this weekend. Appointing Ange Postecoglou over the summer in an attempt to steady the ship, the former Celtic boss could have a tough task on his hands this year. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign by mustering just a pair of wins from any of their final eight Premier League appearances, a huge part of Tottenham’s issues last season was down to their rather glaring struggles on the road. In fact, along with losing three of their last four showdowns outside of north London, it should also be highlighted that the Lilywhites also claimed just a sole victory from any of their final eight appearances on their travels – a run that stemmed all the way back to January 23rd.
Team News:
While Bayern Munich might be publicly chasing Harry Kane this summer in what would be a blockbuster deal, the England skipper will spearhead Tottenham’s charge in west London. The 30-year-old will be joined in the final third by attacking partner Son Heung-min this weekend.
Likewise, arriving from Leicester in a £40million deal this summer, England international James Maddison will make his full Spurs debut on Sunday afternoon.
Match Facts:
- When the two sides met for their most recent Premier League showdown on May 20th, Brentford picked up a 3-1 romp in north London.
- Likewise, the Bees are unbeaten in each of their previous three top-flight meetings against Spurs.
- Tottenham signed off the 2022/23 campaign by muster just a single win from their final eight Premier League appearances on the road.
- Including a 1-0 victory against Manchester City on the final weekend, Brentford won five of their final six top-flight appearances last season.
- On a similar note, the Bees also lost just one of their final 10 domestic appearances on home soil across all competitions.
Conclusion:
While Postecoglou might be desperate to officially open his tenure in charge of Tottenham with an early statement, the former Celtic boss will know that his squad faces a stern opening weekend test. Gaining a major reputation for their extended issues on the road last season, Spurs will meet a Brentford side that have proven that they can test all of the Premier League’s elite. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign by winning five of their final six top-flight showdowns, the Bees also hold what is a stunning record against Sunday’s guests. Storming to a remarkable 3-1 romp when they made the trip to north London on May 20th, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable affair here.
Prediction: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11 with 1xBet
16:30 Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea:
Starting with the hosts, enduring what was a public Premier League nightmare last season and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Chelsea will get a new era underway on Sunday afternoon. Watching both Graham Potter and Frank Lampard fail to find any kind of stability during their brief respective spells in charge at Stamford Bridge, the former Premier League champions have now placed all of their faith in Mauricio Pochettino’s hands. Appointing the former Tottenham boss over the summer, fans in SW6 will know that a crucial Champions League return is at the very top of their agenda this time around. Remarkably having to settle for an infamous bottom-half finish last season, Chelsea will also be desperate to improve on their rather glaring attacking struggles. However, making some eye-catching improvements during their summer preparations, Pochettino’s new squad should be relishing a return to west London on Sunday afternoon.
Team News:
In what is a huge blow for Chelsea, the Blues have confirmed that summer arrival and French international Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery and is expected to miss a few months of action.
Likewise, making the move from Monaco in a €45million deal last week, Axel Disasi could start at the heart of Pochettino’s defence on Sunday afternoon. Kepa Arrizabalaga will start between the sticks in west London.
Liverpool:
As for the visitors, while Liverpool might have signed off the 2022/23 campaign with a real flurry, Jurgen Klopp’s men also endured what was a public Premier League struggle last season. Eventually missing out on the chance to book their own Champions League ticket and failing to live up to expectations at Anfield, the former Borussia Dortmund boss is desperate to prove that his transitioning squad can come roaring back this time around. Despite going unbeaten in each of their final 11 Premier League showdowns last season, Klopp’s superstar squad did gain somewhat of a reputation for their inconsistencies outside of Merseyside. In fact, along with ending their downbeat top-flight campaign with a remarkable 4-4 draw against relegated Southampton, Liverpool managed to muster only a quartet of Premier League victories from their final 12 appearances away from Anfield – a run that stemmed all the way back to Boxing Day.
Team News:
Embarking on a real midfield overhaul this summer, the duo of Dominik Szoboszlai and former Brighton play-maker Alexis Mac Allister will make their full Liverpool debuts at Stamford Bridge.
Notching 19 Premier League strikes last season, attacking talisman Mohamed Salah will spearhead Klopp’s charge against his former club this weekend. The Egyptian icon should be joined in the final third by the returning Luis Diaz.
Match Facts:
- Remarkably, each of the last four straight domestic meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool across all competitions have finished in a 0-0 stalemate.
- Saturday’s guests have lost just one of their last nine meetings against the Blues – a run that stems back to March 2020.
- Seven of the last eight meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool have finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Klopp’s side could only sign off the 2022/23 campaign with four wins from their final 12 Premier League matchups away from Anfield.
- The Blues notched just 38 Premier League strikes in as many top-flight appearances last season.
Conclusion:
Two Premier League giants who have their sights set on securing a crucial top-four return this season, we also have a battle between a pair of squads who have embarked on real transitions this summer. With all eyes falling on Stamford Bridge this weekend, it should be noted that Chelsea and Liverpool do have a habit of producing extremely cagey affairs. Along with each of their previous four straight meetings finishing in a 0-0 stalemate, it should also be noted that seven of their last eight showdowns have seen under 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
Prediction: Under 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2 @ BetUS
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