Upcoming Match-ups

EPL Odds: Gunners, Foxes Usher in 2017-18 Season

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in Soccer News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:38 AM PST

Photo Credit: Ronnie McDonald (flickr) CC License

Arsenal (-200) vs. Leicester City (+700), Draw (+400)

The Premier League welcomes in the 2017-18 season this Friday (August 11th) with a clash between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates. After a disappointing 2016-17 season for both sides, the Gunners and Foxes have each made some interesting adjustments over the summer, just in time for the new season. The start of a new season is always a good time to consider placing a bet. With the match still a few days away, you have time to check out our experts’ review of the top betting sites, which will make placing a bet easier.

Arsenal’s big summer signing, Alexandre Lacazette, will undoubtedly be the main attraction on Friday. Poached from Lyon for a club record €53 million, the 26-year-old striker has a lot to live up to. He wreaked havoc over at Ligue 1 last season, boasting the highest chance conversion rate in the big five European leagues. But whether that translates to Premier League success remains to be seen. From what we’ve witnessed so far over the pre-season though, he seems promising.

Other than the addition of Lacazette, the Arsenal line-up remains largely unchanged. Alexis Sanchez’ fate is still unknown, and whispers of a late move to Man City continue to linger, but for now it seems the Chilean striker will see out his contract with the Gunners.

Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, and Aaron Ramsey all missed Arsenal’s recent Community Shield final win against Chelsea due to lingering injuries and fitness issues. All three could potentially miss Friday’s match as well.

We didn’t hear much about Leicester City over the summer because of all the chaos and mega-signings, but the Foxes have made quite a few key changes to their squad. Most notably, Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Sevilla’s Vicente Iborra have been added to the ranks.

It looks like Riyad Mahrez will be staying for at least another season. The star midfielder is currently being courted by Roma, but it doesn’t seem like the Italian side is willing to meet Leicester’s lofty demands. The former Player of the Year is open to a move, but the Foxes are understandably reluctant to let him go. Interestingly, he’s also been linked with a move to Arsenal. It seems unlikely though, but a last-minute move would really add some spice to the season opener.

Even without Sanchez, Ozil, and Ramsey, Arsenal should be able to field a lineup capable of beating Leicester City. The Foxes recently lost pre-season friendlies to the newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers and Championship side Burton. Arsenal, on the other hand, is riding high after defeating Chelsea at the Community Shield final.

Pick: Arsenal (-200)

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