As the 2024-25 English Premier League season quickly approaches, teams are gearing up ahead of the campaign with a series of pre-season friendlies. These matches serve as a crucial opportunity for managers to fine-tune any tactical changes, give new signings the chance to become accustomed to their new team and allow youth players to integrate into the squad.
As the excitement ahead of the Premier League season builds, these fixtures provide a small glimpse into what to potentially expect from the upcoming campaign.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of these matches and pick out our top booking codes:
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Pre-season match-ups between top major footballing sides are always hard to predict, with neither wanting to over-exert themselves in a friendly, but also both fighting for the bragging rights ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool have looked far from their best in pre-season so far, losing 1-0 to Preston North End in their opener before narrowly beating Real Betis 1-0. Arsenal, on the other hand, have won both of their matches against Bournemouth (on penalties) and Manchester United.
We expect this game to be rather competitive with neither side wanting to lose to their Premier League rivals, but Liverpool’s defensive options are extremely limited with many of them still on holiday following the Euro and Copa America, which will give Arsenal the needed boost for them to win this one.
Arsenal to win, 2.13
Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Crystal Palace have had a positive pre-season so far, struggling to a draw thanks to a 92nd-minute equaliser from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi against Charlton Athletic before comfortably beating Crawley Town 6-3 in their most recent outing.
Wolves, on the other hand, have won all three of their friendly matches to this point, defeating Como and Bristol City by 1-0 and 3-0 scorelines in behind-closed-doors games before besting West Ham United 3-1 last time out.
Crystal Palace will remain without a number of key players with Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi and Ebere Eze all still on holiday due to their involvement with England at the 2024 Euro, leaving them weakened compared to their opponents.
Matheus Cunha is the only expected absentee for Wolves after the forward suffered a knee injury against West Ham, but with much stronger options available across the pitch, we expect Wolves to win this one.
Wolverhampton Wanderers to win, 2.94
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa
Both preparing for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, Aston Villa will take on RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday morning.
RB Leipzig are yet to start their friendly fixtures but will go on to face Aston Villa, Wolves and PSG before competitive action starts with a DFB-Pokal match against RW Essen on 17 August.
Aston Villa, in comparison, have already played three friendlies, beating Walsall and Spartak Trnava by 3-0 scorelines before comprehensively losing 4-1 to Columbus Crew in their last game. While that defeat could look to be a cause for concern for Villa, they are still dealing with a much weakened side with plenty of their stars remaining on holiday following their involvement in Euro 2024 and Copa America.
For that reason, we believe that RB Leipzig will go on to win this one with a majority of their star players available to feature.
RB Leipzig to win, 2.40
Booking Codes:
6VDGSYL, 6VDGXTW – Book Here
