Week 1 Premier League 2024/25: Match Previews, Predictions & Odds

Last updated: 14 August 2024 by Leon Marshall

The Premier League kicks off a new season this Friday, signalling the start of a 380-game marathon. Getting off to a good start is vital for teams like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, hoping to be crowned champions in May next year. At the other end of the spectrum, the newly promoted teams Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton hope to get life in the Premier League off to the best possible start. Join me as I preview all the action and share the latest Premier League betting odds.

Last season, the 32nd edition of the competition concluded on May 19, 2024, with Manchester City securing their fourth consecutive title, becoming the first men’s team to achieve this feat. A record 1,246 goals were scored, averaging 3.28 per match, the highest since 1964-65. All three promoted teams—Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United—were relegated. The usual suspects will fight to claim the crown this season, but who will prevail?

In the next section, I preview all the Premier League games, share my predictions, and highlight the players to watch when Premier League betting.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Manchester United vs Fulham

Prediction: Manchester United win (Odds: 11/20)
Reasoning: United’s home advantage and improved squad depth should see them through against Fulham, who may struggle defensively.

Players to Watch:

🚨🔴 Bruno Fernandes, signing his new deal at Man United today! Exclusive story confirmed.

It had to be this week, plan 100% confirmed with an official announcement to follow.

Deal valid until June 2027 plus option for further season. pic.twitter.com/9r68dj8blW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2024

Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder) – Fernandes played a pivotal role for Manchester United last season, scoring ten goals and providing eight assists in 35 Premier League matches. He maintained a solid average match rating of 7.39, with notable performances, including six Man of the Match awards. His passing accuracy was 79.4%, and he won 0.6 aerial duels per game.

Fulham: Raúl Jiménez (Forward) –Jiménez had a challenging season with Fulham, making four starts and 17 substitute appearances, scoring just one goal and providing two assists in 574 minutes of Premier League action. He had a low shot accuracy (0.8 SpG) and a passing success rate of 70%, earning an average match rating of 6.39. Fulham fans will hope he can replicate his 2019/2020 performance for Wolves when he scored 17 league goals.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Ipswich Town vs Liverpool

Prediction: Liverpool win (Odds: 2/9)
Reasoning: Liverpool’s attacking prowess and experience should overpower newly promoted Ipswich.

Players to Watch:

Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Forward) –Salah had another stellar season with Liverpool, featuring in 37 matches and scoring 22 goals with eight assists in the Premier League. He maintained a high average match rating of 7.57, with 3.6 shots per game and a 75.9% passing success rate. Salah also won eight Man of the Match awards.

Ipswich: Conor Chaplin (Forward) – Chaplin had a productive season for Ipswich, featuring in 41 matches (4 as a substitute), scoring 26 goals and providing five assists. He averaged 3.6 shots per game with a 72.4% passing accuracy. Chaplin’s performances earned him eight Man of the Match awards, highlighting his importance to the team.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Prediction: Arsenal win (Odds: 4/11)
Reasoning: Arsenal’s recent form and home advantage make them favourites against Wolves, who have shown inconsistency.

Players to Watch:

Arsenal: Bukayo Saka (Winger) – Saka had an impressive Premier League season with Arsenal, playing in 36 matches (2 as a substitute) and scoring 11 goals with seven assists. He maintained a solid average match rating of 7.06, with 2.6 shots per game and a passing success rate of 79.5%. Saka also won three Man of the Match awards, showcasing his consistent performances in the league.

Wolves: Hwang Hee-Chan (Winger) – Hwang Hee-Chan had a notable season with Wolves in the Premier League, playing 29 matches (4 as a substitute), scoring 12 goals, and providing three assists. He averaged 1.6 shots per game with a 77.7% passing success rate and received two Man of the Match awards. His performances were crucial to Wolves’ attack throughout the season, and with Pedro Neto moving to Chelsea, the South Korean could take centre stage.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Prediction: Draw (Odds: 17/4 at the best football betting sites)
Reasoning: Both teams are evenly matched, and a draw seems likely as they look to gain points early in the season.

Players to Watch:

2. Battle of clowns😭 Dibu vs Neal Maupay pic.twitter.com/tsYGbXpSJw

— Reni (@Renz_utd) July 30, 2024

Everton: Neal Maupay (Forward) – Maupay played 13 matches (16 as a substitute) for Brentford in the Premier League last season, scoring six goals and providing three assists. He averaged 1.3 shots per game with a passing success rate of 72.8% and earned an average match rating of 6.48. If Everton can get him firing on all cylinders, he could be a useful addition to the Toffees.

Brighton: Kaoru Mitoma (Winger) – Mitoma had a robust Premier League season with Brighton, featuring in 24 matches (nine as a substitute), scoring seven goals, and providing five assists. He averaged 1.6 shots per game with an 83.3% passing success rate. Mitoma also earned four Man of the Match awards, demonstrating his significant impact on the pitch.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Newcastle United vs Southampton

Prediction: Newcastle win (Odds: 7/2)
Reasoning: Newcastle’s squad depth and home advantage should see them secure a comfortable victory against Southampton.

Players to Watch:

Newcastle: Alexander Isak (Forward) – Isak had an impressive Premier League season with Newcastle, featuring in 27 matches (3 as a substitute), scoring 21 goals, and providing two assists. He averaged 2.6 shots per game with an 80% passing success rate and earned three Man of the Match awards. His performances were crucial for Newcastle’s attacking play.

Southampton: Adam Armstrong (Forward) – Armstrong had a solid season in the Championship with Southampton, playing 47 matches (two as a substitute), scoring 24 goals, and providing 13 assists. He averaged 3.1 shots per game with an 83.2% passing success rate. Armstrong also earned five Man of the Match awards, showcasing his crucial role in the team’s attacking play.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth

Prediction: Nottingham Forest win (Odds: 7/1)
Reasoning: Forest’s strong home record should give them the edge over Bournemouth who may miss Solanke upfront.

Players to Watch:

Nottingham Forest: Anthony Elanga (Winger) – Anthony Elanga had a season with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, playing 25 matches (11 as a substitute), scoring five goals, and providing nine assists. He averaged 1.5 shots per game with a 75.3% passing success rate and earned one Man of the Match award. His contributions were significant in Forest’s attacking play.

Bournemouth: Antoine Semenyo (Forward) – Semenyo had a solid season for Bournemouth in the Premier League, playing 25 matches (8 as a substitute), scoring eight goals, and providing two assists. With Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth’s top scorer of last season, having moved to Tottenham, there is added pressure on Semenyo to step up and deliver more goals for the team. He averaged 2.1 shots per game with a 74.3% passing success rate and earned three Man of the Match awards.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – West Ham United vs Aston Villa

Prediction: Aston Villa win (Odds: 17/10)
Reasoning: Villa’s investment in their squad and form make them favourites against West Ham.

Players to Watch:

🌟 Our striker🌟

Ollie Watkins has been nominated for the 2023/24 @PFA Player of the Year award! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1ZLOYX7Y82

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 13, 2024

Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Forward) – Ollie Watkins had a standout Premier League season with Aston Villa, playing 37 matches, scoring 19 goals, and providing 13 assists. He averaged 2.9 shots per game with a 76.8% passing success rate and earned seven Man of the Match awards. Watkins was instrumental in Villa’s attacking success throughout the season.

West Ham: Jarrod Bowen (Winger) – Jarrod Bowen had a productive Premier League season with West Ham, playing 34 matches, scoring 16 goals, and providing six assists. He averaged 2.5 shots per game with a 75.1% passing success rate and earned two Man of the Match awards. Bowen was a key player in West Ham’s attack, consistently delivering essential contributions.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Brentford vs Crystal Palace

Prediction: Draw (Odds: 9/2)
Reasoning: Both teams are closely matched, making a draw a likely outcome.

Players to Watch:

Brentford: Ivan Toney (Forward) – Ivan Toney had an outstanding Premier League season with Brentford, playing 33 matches, scoring 20 goals, and providing four assists. Despite many expecting the 28-year-old to leave Brentford, the move has not happened yet. Toney averaged 2.8 shots per game with a 62% passing success rate and earned five Man of the Match awards, demonstrating his importance to Brentford’s attack.

Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze (Midfielder) – Eberechi Eze had an impressive Premier League season with Crystal Palace, playing 24 matches (3 as a substitute), scoring 11 goals, and providing four assists. He averaged 3.1 shots per game with an 83.7% passing success rate and earned five Man of the Match awards. Eze was vital to Crystal Palace’s midfield, consistently delivering solid performances.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Chelsea vs Manchester City

Prediction: Manchester City win (Odds: 4/5)
Reasoning: Despite Chelsea’s home advantage, City’s depth and quality make them favourites.

Players to Watch:

It’s Premier League week! 😀 pic.twitter.com/ieHGvfnCvf

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) August 13, 2024

Manchester City: Erling Haaland (Forward) – Erling Haaland had another standout Premier League season with Manchester City, scoring 27 goals and providing five assists in 29 matches. He averaged 3.9 shots per game with a 77.4% passing success rate and earned six Man of the Match awards. Although his 36 goals in his first season were higher, Haaland’s overall impact remained strong.

Chelsea: Raheem Sterling (Forward) – Raheem Sterling had a challenging Premier League season with Chelsea, playing 22 matches (9 as a substitute), scoring eight goals, and providing four assists. With Chelsea struggling for goals last season, there is added pressure on Sterling and the other forwards to improve the team’s attacking output. He averaged 1.6 shots per game with a 79.3% passing success rate and earned two Man of the Match awards.

2024/25 Premier League Betting – Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Prediction: Tottenham win (Odds: 3/5 at the best Premier League betting sites.)
Reasoning: Spurs have strengthened their squad and should secure a win against Leicester.

Players to Watch:

Tottenham: James Maddison (Midfielder) – James Maddison had a solid Premier League season, playing 26 matches (2 as a substitute), scoring four goals, and providing nine assists. The former Leicester man will look to bring his creativity and playmaking abilities to a team aiming for a strong season. Maddison averaged 2.1 shots per game with an 87.4% passing success rate and earned one Man of the Match award last season.

Leicester: Jamie Vardy (Striker) – Despite being 37 years old, Jamie Vardy still has a significant role at Leicester. Last season, he played 18 matches (17 as a substitute), scoring 18 goals and providing two assists. Vardy averaged 1.7 shots per game with a 75.1% passing success rate and earned one Man of the Match award, showing his continued impact on the team.

Premier League 2024/25 Week 1 Televised Games

All statistics mentioned in this article have been sourced from www.whoscored.com, and the betting odds have been taken from bet365.

Please note that these odds are subject to change. This article is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always gamble responsibly. For advice on problem gambling, please refer to the organisations listed in this page’s footer.