Arsenal v Coventry City: Back the champions to make strong start at 7/5

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Friday 21 August, 20:00
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Arsenal the team to beat once again

With all of their rivals going through periods of transition, Arsenal seem incredibly well placed to win back-to-back Premier League titles, and it says a lot that 11/102.11 on the Betfair Sportsbook is an acceptable price for them to do just that.

The Gunners looked razor-sharp in last week's 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City, and a home game against a newly promoted team is a pretty gentle opener.

There are question marks over all of Arsenal's title rivals. City, Liverpool and Chelsea all have new coaches who'll take a while to get their ideas across, while Aston Villa and Manchester United's squads will be tested by the rigours of the Champions League.

Arsenal have finished in the top two in each of the last four top-flight seasons, and there's little reason to believe they'll falter here.

Manager Mikel Arteta's hand has been strengthened by a season that delivered a first Premier League title in decades and saw the north London giants push PSG to penalties in an agonising Champions League final.

Greek winger Christos Tzolis set up two goals on his competitive debut last week, and has the technical quality to replace Leandro Trossard on the left flank. The acquisitions of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and impending arrival of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa add further Premier League experience and depth to what was already a strong squad.

Arteta must decide whether he needs to restore England stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka to the starting XI, after they were only subs last weekend. Defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are injured.

Coventry keen to keep riding the wave

After winning the Championship to end a 25-year exile from the top flight, Coventry City and their manager Frank Lampard didn't have time to rest on their laurels.

They have already done some significant transfer business - highly-successful loan keeper Carl Rushworth has joined on a permanent basis from Brighton, Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has come in after a promising World Cup, and Eintracht Frankfurt defender Aurele Amenda has potential and the kind of physicality you need in the Premier League.

Lampard has extensive experience of the English top flight as a player and manager, but keeping the Sky Blues afloat could be his greatest coaching challenge to date.

Coventry are 5/61.84 to be relegated on the Betfair Sportsbook, with fellow promoted sides Ipswich 8/111.73 and Hull City 1/81.12 also expected to go down.

Coventry took risks with and without the ball last term, and their high defensive line and impressive offside trap reaped rewards. Lampard's side scored 97 goals in 46 Championship matches, but they also had the league's best defensive record, leaking just 45 goals.

They carried a set-piece threat, scoring a joint-league-high 29 set-play goals in the Championship, including an eye-catching 14 from corners.

Coventry are without Luke Woolfenden and striker Haji Wright because of injury. Summer signings Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna and Taiwo Awoniyi are all pushing to make their first competitive appearances for the club.

Read Ste Tudor's early look at this weekend's Premier League action

Gunners win is the glue in 7/52.40 treble

We'll use the Betfair Sportsbook's Bet Builder to create an opening-night treble here at 7/52.40. Firstly we'll back Arsenal -1 on the Handicap, as I believe Coventry's new signings will take time to settle, and this is a nightmare start for the Sky Blues. Nine of Arsenal's 19 Premier League home games last term saw them win by two goals or more.

I'll back Coventry's new defender Aurele Amenda to commit at least two fouls. The Swiss youngster has the pace and strength to play in the Premier League, but he can be rash (in the Bundesliga last term he picked up 1.18 fouls per 90), and he could be up against a wily foul-drawing machine in Kai Havertz.

Finally I'll go for Gabriel to have a shot. The Brazilian centre-back has had a season average of between 0.84 and 0.92 shots per 90 across the last five Premier League seasons, and there's every reason to think Arsenal will continue to threaten from set plays.

Back new Greek star at attractive price

Christos Tzolis was an assist machine at his previous side Club Brugge, and he has already racked up two assists for Arsenal in his very first game.

He takes excellent set pieces (let's see if he gets the chance if Rice and Saka start), but he also crosses beautifully and times his forward passes well, just as he did to set up Martin Odegaard in Cardiff.

Tzolis is 6/42.50 to produce an assist here, and that feels like an attractive price.

Now read Kev's PL Golden Boot preview here!