ALEX CROOK PREVIEW: Premier League Specials 2024/25

ALL KICKING OFF – ALEX CROOK ON PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIALS: The new Premier League season is just days away now and as well as the usual markets for league champion, Golden Boot winner, top four and relegation, starsports.bet are offering a series of specials for you to get your teeth into something a bit different, writes ALEX CROOK.

⭐ STAR MARKET ON PREMIER LEAGUE ⭐
⚽ ALL KICKING OFF – PREVIEWS ⚽

These include Erling Haaland to outscore the team that finishes bottom at 3/1 which initially caught my eye, however even woeful Sheffield United scored 35 goals in their 38 games last season and while I am predicting all three newly-promoted clubs, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton to struggle, I don’t think any of that trio will be as poor as the Blades were.

Manchester United and Chelsea spent most of the last campaign vying for the title of the league’s biggest under-achievers with the Blues eventually finishing above United in the table after a good end-of-season run and United defying the odds to lift the FA Cup.

I am not alone in finding it utterly baffling that Chelsea’s reaction to Mauricio Pochettino finally getting a tune out of his players was to sack the manager and I am far from convinced by the Argentine’s replacement Enzo Maresca.

Even Leicester fans bemoaned his possession-based style of play despite storming to the Championship title and while pre-season results are not a true barometer of what lies ahead, it has been an underwhelming summer for the west Londoners who continue to have the Conor Gallagher saga hanging over them.

Chelsea also have a tricky-looking set of fixtures in the first few weeks including at home to champions Manchester City on the opening day and if Maresca gets off to a poor start I can see the home fans turning quickly.

In contrast I thought United looked a lot better during their penalty shootout defeat to City in Saturday’s Community Shield and would have won comfortably had they been more ruthless in front of goal. The absence of Rasmus Hojlund for their first few games is an obvious concern but they have been more proactive in the transfer market than in recent windows and I am quietly optimistic of a semi-decent season.

For that reason I am taking the ? with starsports.bet on Manchester United to win more points than Chelsea. Last season I made the same wager with a Chelsea fan and my forfeit was having to squeeze my XL frame into medium-sized Raheem Sterling shirt so it is time for revenge.

I think the race to be crowned top-scorer is going to be a compelling one with the likes of Haaland and Mo Salah guaranteed to be up there and I am intrigued to see how Niclas Fullkrug fits in at West Ham as I think he has all the attributes of being a throwback Premier League number 9.

Having already tipped up Alexander Isak at 14-1 to win the Golden Boot in my main preview, I cannot ignore the silky Swede at ? with starsports.bet in the without Haaland market.

I am also expecting big things from Brighton’s Joao Pedro, who averaged a goal every two games last term despite a few niggly injury issues. Pedro is ? with starsports.bet to score 15 or more league goals and if he plays the whole season, considering his record from penalties, that looks a good bet to me.

Another value selection in my eyes is the ? with starsports.bet on Everton to concede 45 or fewer goals. Yes, they let in 51 last season but I think they have done some good business over the summer, not least keeping key centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite out of the clutches of Manchester United.

As long as they manage to avoid any more financial issues, I think the last season at Goodison Park can be a memorable one and we know how much Sean Dyche prizes a clean sheet or ten.

My final selection is on the entertainers of last season Tottenham to have at least one goal scored in all 38 of their games.

Spurs just don’t partake in nil nils, especially under Ange ‘It’s what we do mate’ Postecoglou so the ? with starsports.bet looks a nailed on winner to build your specials selections around.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Manchester United to beat Chelsea on points 2pts at 21/20 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Joao Pedro 15 or more league goals 1pt at 11/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK At least one goal scored in all 38 Tottenham league games 2pts at 9/4 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Everton to concede 45 or less league goals 1pt at 4/1 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Alexander Isak top-scorer without Haaland 1pt at 7/1 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

⭐ STAR MARKET ON PREMIER LEAGUE ⭐
⚽ ALL KICKING OFF – PREVIEWS ⚽

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