ARSENAL v LEICESTER CITY
Friday 11th August 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – England – Premier League Betting Tips
The Premier League kicks off a new season on Friday night with Arsenal taking on former title holders, Leicester City, at the Emirates Stadium amidst what has been a turbulent and uncertain summer for The Gunners.
Controversy surrounding Arsene Wenger and his seeming reluctance to sign a new contract was further exacerbated by rumours that their star striker, Alexis Sanchez, could be looking for a way out of the north London club. This prompted a transfer move for French (of course) striker, Lacazette, which has further fuelled speculation as to Sanchez’s long term future at the club.
Throw in various injuries which includes the likes of Sanchez, Mertsesacker, Ozil, Ramsey, Koscielny (suspended) and Mustafi and the pressure could start to mount on Wenger even before a ball has been kicked, to add to their disappointing fifth place finish at the end of last season. The Gunners still possess personnel such as Lacazette, Walcott, Giroud and Welbeck though, so they could be good for a goal at least.
Visitors Leicester City are also expected to be without their key signing, Spanish midfielder Iborra, for the season opener in the nation’s capital, but former Manchester City striker, Iheanacho is expected to recover in time from a toe injury to make his debut for the Foxes.
Leicester manager, Craig Shakespeare is said to be relishing this first new test of the season as he starts in the hot-seat with a full season ahead of him, but he’ll have to do without the services of experienced defender, Robert Huth, as the German is recovering from ankle surgery.
Leicester will no longer have the targets on their back for this campaign, following a mid-table finish at the end of last season, after a dismal second season reign for former favourite, Claudio Ranieri, but they still have some dangerous attacking figures in their line-up, namely, Mahrez, Vardy, Ulloah and of course, Iheanacho, who will be desperate to prove a point.
With some key defenders out for both sides, I’ll take the both teams to score option here.
Pick: Both teams to score @ 1.73 Ladbrokes
