Bet that the more things change the more they stay the same, when Liverpool head to Chelsea (4.30pm).
After a summer of major outs and ins, the line-ups will be different.
But amazingly Chelsea appear to have doubled down on the whole ‘no goalscorers’ thing, though partly by accident.
Bundesliga bright spark Christopher Nkunku came in and promptly got injured, which means Nicolas Jackson, a La Liga prospect who Bournemouth rejected in January over an iffy hamstring, is the big idea.
He’s the new Jamie Vardy according to Ben Chilwell, who was the new Ashley Cole.
He’ll need to be. But even 20 goals would be a jackpot haul for his first Prem run, a big step up as well… and still leave the Blues about 30 goals light.
Liverpool have bought well in midfield and will generate huge threat – but maybe not against a trademark Mauricio Pochettino defence, tuned to spoil?
Neither side has scored in the past four meetings. History says take the DRAW at 14/5 (Boylesports), and 16/1 (Bet365) ‘no goalscorer’ looks the longshot value.
It’s already starting to look like Erling Haaland could win this Golden Boot race in his slippers, with a cigar on. Harry Kane has joined non-starters Jesus and Ivan Toney, and Mo Salah will pause for an AFCON, which cost him half a Boot in 2021-22.
Tottenham head to Brentford (2pm) and who knows what’s on the cards? Christian Romero probably. Back him to ‘be shown a card’ at 21/10 (Unibet).
Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves exit was that rarest of sights, a unicorn leaving a sinking ship. Getting the ex-Spain boss to come onboard at all was a champagne move. It seems Wolves only really had beer money.
Something stronger is brewing at Manchester United (tomorrow, 8pm). Bet ‘United win to nil’ at 13/10 (BetVic) and Bruno Fernandes ‘anytime assist’ at 2/1 (Boylesports).
Over in Spain, punt a ‘Barcelona clean sheet’ at 10/11 (Fred) away to goal-lite spoilers Getafe, who have blanked in the past three head-to-heads.
