The English Premier League returns on Saturday and we're excited as ever for the start of the season. Liverpool host Stoke City in the opening game of the season at lunchtime on Saturday before Manchester City under Manuel Pellegrini in a Premier League game for the first time take on Newcastle United on Monday night in the final game of the opening weekend. David Moyes' reign at Manchester United begins at Swansea City in Saturday evening's televised game. Can for the former Everton boss ease the opening day pressure with a win in Wales after last weekend's Community Shield victory over Wigan Athletic? Arsène Wenger heads into the opening game of the season with just one new signing and a couple of players missing through injury. They host Aston Villa in one of the five 3pm Saturday kickoffs, who narrowly escaped relegation last season. Tottenham Hotspur have added a number of midfielders to their squad this season but will be without Gareth Bale (injured) for their first trip of the season, a short journey to newly-promoted Crystal Palace. That game on Sunday is followed by José Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge to host Steve Bruce's Hull City Tigers. Here are a couple of bets to consider for the opening weekend of the 2013-14 Premier League:
Liverpool vs Stoke City Saturday 17 August 12:45
* Liverpool ended last season losing 1 of their last 12 Premier League games * Daniel Sturridge scored 10 goals in 14 Premier League games for Liverpool since signing in January * Philippe Coutinho was involved in 10 goals in 13 Premier League games for Liverpool since signing in January * Stoke City scored 13 goals in away games last season only West Ham scored fewer on the road * New Stoke City manager Mark Hughes won 0, draw 4 and lost 9 of his games as Queens Park Rangers manager last season * Stoke City lost 11 of their last 18 matches at the end of last season.
Recommend bet: Liverpool to win 4/9 Paddy Power
Arsenal vs Aston Villa Saturday 17 August 15:00
* Arsenal won 12 of their final 16 Premier League matches last season * Arsenal kept clean sheets in 4 of their last matches last season * Four Arsenal players scored at least 10 league goals last season * Aston Villa lost this fixture 2-1 in February 4 days after Arsenal were beaten 3-1 at home by Bayern Munich in the Champions League * Aston Villa conceded the most goals away from home in last season's Premier League * Aston Villa failed to score in 12 of 38 Premier League matches last season
Recommend bet: Arsenal to win 4/9 Paddy Power
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur Sunday 18 August 13:30
* Tottenham Hotspur signed Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, tienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli this summer * Tottenham Hotspur have lost only 2 of their last 22 Premier League games heading into the new season * Tottenham took a maximum 18 points off promoted teams (Southampton, Reading, West Ham United) in last season's Premier League * No team in the top 11 conceded more goals than Crystal Palace in last season's Championship * Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway was relegated in his only previous season as a Premier League manager (with Blackpool another team he got promoted against the odds through the playoffs) * Crystal Palace sold one of their key players of last season, Wilfried Zaha to Manchester United
Recommend bet: Tottenham Hotspur to win 5/6 Paddy Power
Manchester City vs Newcastle United Monday 19 August 20:00
* Manchester City signed Fernandinho, Stevan Joveti, lvaro Negredo and Jesús Navas this summer * Manchester City conceded the fewest goals in last season's Premier League * Manchester City won this fixture last season 4-0 in March * Only Reading, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa conceded more goals than Newcastle United in last season's Premier League * Loïc Rémy is absent through injury * Newcastle finished 16th in the Premier League last season
Recommend bet: Manchester City to win -1.5 goals 17/20 Bet365
Opening Weekend Offer
Paddy Power have two cracking offers this week. Place a 5 fold or more accumulator on the Premier League games this weekend and if you lose you get your money back as a free bet for next weeks fixtures. Click here to claim. If the favourite loses any of Premier League games, Paddy Power will be refunding all 1st/last scorer, scorecast and correct score bets on that game. Click here to claim. Full details for both offers are available on the Paddy Power promotions page.