RED DEVILS KEEP IT CLEAN
Manchester United may have been held back from Premier League exploits last weekend and with the Red Devils being afforded an additional rest, they will be primed and ready for the visit of Crystal Palace this Saturday.
After disappointment in the finals phase of the Europa League, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can at least take solace at the fact his players secured a top four finish in the final day of last season and with that, a return to the Champions League.
Continental dominance will be on the agenda soon, but for now it is the task of getting off the domestic mark and standing in their way is a Crystal Palace side who achieved that very task last weekend.
The Eagles had an awful finish to last season, as they picked up just one point from the last twenty-four on offer and although it was more due to them having nothing to play for, it was a worrying set of results for everyone who is connected to the club.
Thankfully it seems as if the South London outfit have removed the shackles that held them down a couple of months ago and although their sample of evidence is just 90 minutes long, the viewing spectacle looks much improved at Selhurst Park.
However, it could well be a different story at Old Trafford and with Palace failing to score in their last four away league matches, it certainly bodes well for United and it also means you should consider a home win to nil this weekend.
Summary: Back United and clean sheet at odds of 2.20
ARSENAL WIN WITH A HANDICAP
After success in both the F.A. Cup Final and recent Community Shield, Arsenal continued their positive momentum with an impressive opening day win away at Fulham and this weekend they once again face an outfit from the capital.
This weekend sees the Emirates play host to its first Premier League outing of the season and with West Ham making the short trip across London, manager David Moyes will be hoping for vast improvement in double quick time.
The Hammers had a couple of fleeting chances in their opener against Newcastle, but were made to be second class citizens come full time and when you consider how tough their opening set fixtures are, that could be their only genuine hope in terms of points on the board.
It is apparent that West Ham need some new faces and the big question is whether they will have to sell a crown jewel or two beforehand and if this does prove to be the case, Declan Rice may have to be sacrificed.
A decision that would no doubt go down like a lead balloon at the London Stadium (as far as the fans are concerned anyway) and would no doubt stoke the flames of frustration even further, something that could also happen if they are beaten by Arsenal this weekend.
Such is the confidence in Arsenal being clear winners, an Asian Handicap looks like the most value in this one and even with a theoretical 1-0 head start for West Ham, Mikel Arteta's men will pick up their second league win of the season.
Summary: Back Arsenal -1 at 1.90
A CASE FOR PROMOTION
While although both Leeds and Fulham suffered opening day defeats last Saturday, the circumstance was somewhat different and when you consider the former scored three at Anfield and still lost, it makes the latter's efforts pail into comparison.
Fulham were outclassed by Arsenal at Craven Cottage and although you cannot read too much into one fixture, it will certainly have Scott Parker concerned at the fact that his side were cut apart so easily.
With that said, Leeds were incredibly naïve in terms of defence and although they bloodied the nose of the defending champions, to come away with nothing after scoring three times is nothing short of criminal.
A crime that Marcelo Bielsa and his players will look to make right this weekend and with two promoted sides going up against each other, this should provide a better measure of who is ready for the challenge of the Premier League. A measure that should put Leeds in the ascendency.
Summary: Back Leeds to win at home at 1.62
