Welbeck fancied to fire United to easy success

The opening Premier League game of the new season sees Manchester United play host to Swansea (12.45pm KO, Live on BTSport 1), and the home side look worthy 1/3 shots with Coral to get off to a flying start under new manager Louis van Gaal.

The stats are certainly good a far as the Red Devils are concerned as they have never lost on the opening weekend at Old Trafford in the Premier League (Won 8, Drawn 3).
They also beat the Swans 4-1 at the Liberty Stadium on the opening day last season, and with Van Gaal sure to want to make an immediate impact I am fully expecting them to turn on the style in a game which has goals written all over it.

Swansea’s three previous games on the opening weekend have produced 14 goals, an average of 4.6, and with United expected to go for the jugular that makes over 3.5 goals look a decent punt at 7/4 with Coral.

I also think United are worth backing on the handicap (-2) at 5/2 with Coral, and in the goalscorer markets Danny Welbeck makes plenty of appeal.

The 23-year-old has scored three times in his last two league games against Swansea, and can be backed at 5/1 to net the opener and a tasty looking 5/4 to net anytime.

Arsenal are 1/4 to win their home game against Crystal Palace (5.30pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1) and I fancy them to do so to nil at 3/4 with Coral.

Arsene Wenger’s side thrashed Manchester City 3-0 in last weekend’s Community Shield at Wembley, and even though many say it is a glorified pre-season friendly the Gunners could not have been more impressive.

They also finished off last season in style with five straight wins, and face a side whose manager Tony Pulis walked out on them earlier in the week.

Pulis’ decision to leave is hardly the ideal scenario head of this clash, and I expect Arsenal to produce a clincial peformance and bag all three points with the minimum of fuss.

Olivier Giroud has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium, and looked sharp when netting a spectacular second-half goal in the Community Shield.

The Frenchman’s aerial presence in the box is sure to create plenty of problems for Palace’s defence and he looks well worth a wager at 7/2 in the first goalscorer market.