Premier League Betting Guide, Week 1: Sneaky West Brom And A Happy Nike

Another Premier League season is upon us, which means it is time to take your disposable income and rent teams for two hours at a time. Yes, Premier League gambling is back.

Football is not the easiest of sports to bet on because one goal, which could come from a fluke or a team down a man after a red card, could completely flip the bet. Sure, you thought picking Liverpool was easy money, but then Martin Skrtel takes down the last man, is shown red and all of a sudden you’re storming out of the bar (beer still in hand because god knows you need it) and cussing to whatever empty storefront next door will listen.

Premier League gambling, we missed you.

Arsenal vs. Sunderland, under 2.5 (+105)

Whenever Sunderland is involved, bet on the under and when you can get the number at 2.5 with it paying out at +105, jump on it before someone gets smart and changes it. Arsenal will certainly get a goal, but Olivier Giroud is coming back from playing with France, Santi Cazorla is still working his way into the team and what can you expect from Alex Song with Barcelona hanging over his head? And then there is Sunderland, who are so very Martin O’Neill-y. This match won’t be pretty and that screams under.

Reading vs. Stoke City, more cards than shots on goal

If shins were the ball then these teams would be fantastic.

West Ham to win (+105) vs. Aston Villa

The Villains made the best move of any team in the league this summer in firing Alex McLeish, but this team stuff needs to be rebuilt and badly. This is still the team that has lost Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Gareth Barry in recent years and haven’t replaced them well. Paul Lambert will get this team sorted out in time, but not this week with Gabby Agbonlahor, Richard Dunne and Marc Albrighton all out injured. Also, West Ham are sneaky not bad.

Nike (-160) to throw more parades than adidas during Manchester United vs. Everton

They have taken the over/under on “number of times Robin van Persie is shown on the telecast” off the board because infinity apparently isn’t appropriate. But who will win out in the supplier battle -- United’s shirt outfitter Nike or van Persie’s boot provider adidas? This one looks like a gime for Nike, but beware the exposure that adidas gets if van Persie spends eight minutes rolling around and grabbing his ankle.

West Bromwich Albion to win (+300) vs. Liverpool

Do you believe in Brendan Rodgers? I do, but I don’t believe him -120. On the other hand, West Brom win these matches. It’s their thing and serves as their reminder to the world that they are still in the league every couple of months.

We’ll have live updates in our Premier League Week 1 StoryStream.