The Premier League season gets underway on Friday as Champions Arsenal take on last season’s second tier winners Coventry City. The Gunners have strengthened over the summer and Frank Lampard’s side, playing their first topflight match since relegation in 2001, face a baptism of fire. There are a number of betting opportunities, boosted by Betfred’s great offer of a free bet builder to get the season up and running. I have come up with a great 7/1 five-fold which could prove to be a fantastic season-opening free hit.
Betfred Completely Free Bet Builder: Arsenal vs Coventry
First things first. If you are looking for a multiple wager on this one, then Betfred have a great offer. All Betfred customers have access to this one provided that they have deposited after April 2024. Simply opt in and place your bet builder for this match.
TL; DR – My Arsenal vs Coventry City Betting Tips
| Market | Odds at Betfred | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal to Win Both Halves | 23/20 | 1 |
| Carl Rushworth 3+ Saves | 2/13 | 1.5 |
| Ellis Simms 2+ Fouls | 13/10 | 1 |
| Riccardo Calafiori 1+ Fouls | 1/8 | 1 |
| Martin Odergaard 1+ Shots on Target | 2/5 | 1 |
| Bet Builder | 7.16/1 | 1 |
Odds correct at 12:00 BST on 19th August. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
If you are signing up with Betfred ahead of the new season, remember that some of the free bets from the welcome offer can be used for your outright wagers. Get in before the season starts to get the best odds. If you are a fan of bet builders, then this offer could be right up your street as £20 out of the £50 in free bets are specifically for bet builder wagers.
Arsenal to Win Both Halves
Arsenal go into the match as strong favourites. Our Kickform predictions give the home side an 85% chance of victory. When giving my tips for the Premier League relegation battle, I decided against backing Coventry to go down as I think that they will make a real fight of it. I think that they will finish in the bottom six and they could well make an immediate return to the Championship. However, it is far from nailed on. They were worthy second-tier champions last season; they have many players who look capable of stepping up and a capable manager in Lampard.
That said I think Arsenal will have far too much for them. There may be some older Arsenal fans who come out in a cold sweat thinking of Coventry at home on opening day. In the 1993/94 season, they got on the wrong end of a Mick Quinn hat-trick at Highbury. I don’t see a repeat this year, and I think it will be a convincing home win. Mikel Arteta’s side comfortably beat Manchester City in the Community Shield, and I am expecting a further statement of their intent on Friday. It is not worth simply backing a home win, but odds of 23/20 represent decent value for Arsenal to win both halves.
Carl Rushworth 3+ Saves
Carl Rushworth performed well last season in City’s charge to the Championship title. Despite playing in a side who dominated a lot of games and finished the season 11 points clear of the rest, our Kickform stats show that Rushworth averaged 2.67 saves per 90 minutes across 46 matches. Coventry conceded less than a goal per game, and their custodian takes credit for this. I expect him to be busier during an away fixture at Arsenal than in your average Championship game, and I also expect him to step up. I’m backing him to pull off at least three saves.
Ellis Simms 2+ Fouls
Since leaving Everton in 2023, Ellis Simms has impressed with Coventry in the Championship and also performed well in the Sky Blues’ run to the semi-final of the 2024 FA Cup. Simms now has a chance to establish himself as a Premier League player. Simms is a physically strong and direct forward, and his competitive style sees him rack up a few fouls. Last season he averaged 1.05 fouls per 90 minutes. Playing against a top side like Arsenal, who are likely to dominate possession, in a situation where he is likely to be highly motivated, I think that he will go above that average. 13/10 is a decent price.
Riccardo Calafiori 1+ Fouls
Riccardo Calafiori is another highly competitive player. While he is an excellent defender, he tends to commit at least one infringement per game as demonstrated by his average of 1.37 fouls per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season. He carried on in the same vein in the Community Shield against Manchester City where he made a single foul in a game Arsenal won comfortably. I am expecting a repeat performance and, while the odds aren’t fantastic for this, they bump the bet builder up a little.
Martin Odergaard 1+ Shots on Target
Martin Odergaard’s shooting stats from the Community Shield read two shots, two shots on target and one goal. Last season he averaged 0.53 shots on target per 90 minutes in the Premier League and at the World Cup he averaged 0.57 shots per 90. Last Sunday shows that he has started the season with his shooting boots on and in a game where Arsenal are likely to be very much in the ascendancy, I am rounding the bet builder off by backing him to work the goalkeeper at least once.
My 7/1 Bet Builder is Live
Taking advantage of their free bet builder promo, I have placed my wager with Betfred, one of the best online bookies in the UK. Best of luck if you are having a bet on this one and remember to gamble responsibly.
Arsenal vs Coventry City Odds
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