Potters and Baggies should be sound bets for Premier League opener

West Brom v Sunderland
Alan Irvine makes his Premier League debut in the dugout here, and his Baggies are 12/5 chance for relegation, but 5/4 favourites to beat the Black Cats because they have won four of the last five Premier League meetings. There will be several new faces on show at The Hawthorns for both sides, with right back Billy Jones and midfielder Craig Gardner trading these clubs over the summer.

It’s not these names that will excite punters, however. For West Brom, the goal burden is expected to fall on record buy Brown Ideye. The Nigerian frontman missed out on World Cup selection, but could cap his bow by scoring at 5/4.

Young forward Saido Berahino looks set for even more playing time this term, and is a better-priced 6/4 in the anytime market. Support striker Stephane Sessegnon, who is set to be retained in that role, netted the opener in this fixture against his former club last term, and is an 11/2 chance to score first again, but is a slight doubt.

Other Albion activity in the transfer market this summer has concerned rebuilding defence. Irvine’s most exciting arrival here is Costa Rica’s World Cup wing back Cristian Gamboa, and odds of 12/1 say he will grab a debut goal here. Loan capture Andre Wisdom could play centrally in the Baggies backline because Joleon Lescott is out with a knee problem and Gareth McAuley rated doubtful.

Burnley target Craig Dawson is an alternative for the heart of defence alongside Jonas Olsson. A repeat of the win to nil from last September is a tempting 5/2. Australia’s Jason Davidson could get the nod over Belgian Sebastien Pocognoil at left back.

Sunderland have had to overhaul their midfield and full back options over the summer, and Gus Poyet has pulled off a coup by landing Jack Rodwell. Keeping the England hopeful fit will be a challenge, and he should complement the forward-thinking Jordi Gomez (11/2 for a debut goal) well in Poyet’s engine room.

Winger Will Buckley has also been brought in from Brighton and Hove Albion, and it’s 4/1 he caps his bow by scoring anytime for the Black Cats. Steven Fletcher and contract rebel Connor Wickham look like staring up front, with both at 7/4 for goals here.