Following the first weekend of matches in the Premier League, teams will be aiming to build on winning starts to set the pace in what could be an intriguing league race. Firstly, Manchester United and Brighton will be looking to build on winning starts in an early 6:30 am encounter, likewise Aston Villa and Arsenal in the late kick-off on Saturday.

Event # 1 – EPL – Brighton vs Man United – 6:30 AM

Both Brighton and Manchester have hit the ground running in the new Premier League campaign, with Brighton beating Everton 0-3 away and Manchester United beating Fulham 1-0 at home last weekend. Having struggled badly last season and eventually having to settle for a bottom-half finish, Brighton made a statement of intent to start their new season, with an impressive away win at Everton, storming to a dominant 3-0 win. Indeed, despite winning just once in their final 10 Premier League matches last season, Brighton enjoyed an excellent preseason, having won all four games by an aggregate score of 14-3, signing off with a big 4-0 win over Spanish giants Villarreal. That good form appears to have been carried over into the new season.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be aiming to secure back-to-back wins to start the season, to make a statement that they intend to challenge for the league title this campaign. They might not have been at their best when beating Fulham at home last weekend, but they still secured a hard-fought 1-0 home win. Having defeated neighbours Man City to win an historic 13th FA Cup title last season, United struggled towards the end of the season, winning just one of their last six away league games. Indeed, United will travel to Brighton hoping to improve on their recent record against the Seagulls, Brighton, having lost four of their last five head-to-head meetings. Interestingly, in the two meetings between the teams last season, they each won away from home which might be a confidence booster for the travelling fans.

Key Stats

Brighton – Brighton have won four of the last five games home and away against Man United.

Man United – Manchester United have won four of their last six games away at Brighton, including a 2-0-win last season.

Both sides – Prior to the four times Brighton have defeated United since 2022, they had only defeated United three times in their entire history.

The betting Tip.Brighton win.

Event # EPL – Aston Villa vs Arsenal– 11:30 AM

Aston Villa and Arsenal will square off in an eagerly anticipated match tomorrow, Saturday, August 24. Both teams enter this game off the back of opening day victories and will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins to open the new campaign. For Arsenal, they will be fighting for the title this year, having been pipped by Manchester City last season, while Aston Villa will be hoping to replicate their achievements of last season by again finishing in the top four. Having started their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at West Ham last weekend, Aston Villa’s confidence skyrocketed and they will welcome Arsenal, hoping to continue their recent dominance over the Gunners, having won both games last season, defeating them 2-0 at the Emirates and then winning 1-0 at home. Those results helped to dent Arsenal’s chance of winning the title. Incredibly, Aston Villa had an underwhelming preseason, losing three of their four matches played, but starting their league season with a 2-1 win away from home would have given their confidence a huge boost.

Arsenal started the new campaign with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Wolves, extending their excellent form from preseason, where they won three and lost one of their final four matches. With that said, revenge will be on Arsenal’s mind when they make the trip to Villa Park, having lost both matches to Aston Villa last season. Those two results, more then any other last season, could be said to have deprived Arsenal of their first Premier League title in over two decades, as they lost out to Manchester City by just two points. Having won their last six games to end the last campaign, Arsenal will be aiming to make a real statement here with another away win, having secured 25 of a possible 27 points on their travels last season.

Key Stats

Aston Villa – When Aston Villa and Arsenal met back in April, Villa won 2-0 and won the reverse fixture 1-0, ensuring they did the double over the Gunners last season.

• Arsenal –Arsenal conceded just a single goal in their last eight league matches last season.

• Both sides –Arsenal won eight and drew one of their last nine away games to end last season, while Aston Villa won just three of their last nine home matches last season.

The betting Tip.Arsenal win or Draw.

.