City slickers a steal at 4/6 to beat the Magpies

Liverpool are 1/3 to kick-off life without Luis Suarez with a win over Southampton at Anfield on Sunday (1.30pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1), but the game may be much closer than the odds suggest and under 2.5 goals at 13/10 with Coral makes the most appeal from a punting perspective.

Expectations will be high amongst Liverpool fans after they came so close to claiming the title last season, but the loss of Suarez is a major blow and it remains to see if other players will step up to the plate.

The Reds were also far from solid at the back, and last year’s 1-0 win over Stoke was their first victory on the opening weekend in five seasons.

Southampton have also shared the spoils with them in the past two seasons (two wins apiece), and new manager Ronald Koeman is a shrewd cookie who has enjoyed plenty of success at Ajax and PSV Eindhoven and will be looking for a solid start to the season with his new look squad.

So bearing everything in mind, under 2.5 goals looks the best value betting option in what could be a hard-fought affair.

In the day’s other game, title holders Manchester City look a great bet at 4/6 with Coral to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park (4pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1).

The Citizens have won four and lost none of their last five opening weekend league fixtures, keeping four clean sheets in the process, whereas their opponents have enjoyed just one victory in the same period.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men also have won their last four games against the Magpies without conceding, and that makes backing City to win to nil look cracking value at the 21/10 on offer with Coral.

Sergio Aguero, who has been suffering from a groin injury, will face a late fitness test to see if he can make City’s starting XI.

If he does start then the even money on offer about him in the anytime scorer market would make plenty of appeal.

Aguero finished last season as City’s top scorer with 28 goals despite missing much of the second half of the campaign with injuries, and bagged 17 goals in just 23 league appearances.
In the correct score market, I like the look of a 2-0 win for City at 8/1.