Twelve weeks after Chelsea lifted the Premier League title the new season begins on Friday night when the FA Cup and Community Shield winners Arsenal host the champions of two seasons ago in Leicester City in what should be an entertaining beginning to the season.
Both sides will be looking to improve on disappointing finishes in the league last term and they get the chance to lay down the first marker prior to the rest of the sides playing over the weekend.
Arsenal
There are rarely any surprises with Arsenal these days. They will look exciting and entertaining going forward but then they will be exposed and sluggish at the back so the key will be whether they can find a way to protect their defence without losing any of that attacking slickness that they are now famous for.
Although they have all this talent Arsenal have lost their opening home match in each of the past two seasons so they will be out to make up for that and give their fans an early performance to get behind and boost spirits for the season ahead. They do have the advantage of playing a more competitive friendly than normal last week.
Leicester City
The side everyone took to a couple of years ago remain in the spotlight here because people want to see if they can get back in amongst the mix at the very top end. I don’t think that is possible and that focus may hold them back as it is totally unrealistic but when sides have hype people can believe it and troubles ensue.
The Foxes have done well to keep Riyad Mahrez so far this summer so he will give them a boost but with some significant injuries they will need their new signings to hit the ground running if they are to get off to a good start. That said in theory they match up well to Arsenal so should fancy their chances here.
Team News
Both sides are missing a number of players for this match. Arsenal are definitely without Alexis Sanchez who is injured and Laurent Koscielny who is suspended. Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac could make competitive debuts but Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are doubts.
Leicester have midfield pair Danny Drinkwater and Vicente Iborra out with injuries and they will be joined on the sidelines by Robert Huth. Kelechi Iheanacho and Harry Maguire could be set for their competitive debuts.
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Betting
Arsenal do not have a great recent record in their opening home game having lost to West Ham and Liverpool in recent seasons but I think they have it in them to win this one. The Leicester defence still looks a little weak especially without Huth while going forward it remains to be seen what Riyad Mahrez will offer.
I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if Leicester score on the break but even without Sanchez I expect Arsenal to see plenty of the ball and with Lacazette looking to make an immediate impression I fancy the home side will win the game and having had a more competitive game last week the longer this goes the better they might get so I see Arsenal winning this by more than one.
Tips
PUSH – Back Arsenal (-1AH) to beat Leicester for a 4/10 stake at 1.92 with BetVictor
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