Welcome to the Premier League, Brighton! Most assume that Albion's stay in the top flight will be a short one, but don't tell that to Chris Hughton and his gang. The biggest problem Brighton will have right away is the fact that it has to go up against Manchester City in its first ever match in the EPL.
Don't miss the BPL action from Falmer Stadium at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 12, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.
Opening Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Brighton +750
Manchester City -322
Draw +400
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
This is going to be a great day at Falmer Stadium, knowing that it's the first time Brighton has ever played in the top flight. But to expect a result from this affair would be silly for the newcomers. Brighton is a dead team walking at +750 on the moneyline, even at home.
You don't see 1.5-goal favorites in the EPL all the time, especially road teams, but Pep Guardiola's remade squad is right there. At -322 favorites, that's about as big as you're going to see for an away team, particularly this early in the campaign.
The total is set at a flat 3, but if we're being honest, if you're banking on the over, you're merely hoping that City runs rampant in its first match of the season.
Key Injuries
The best news for Albion is that there isn't anyone of any note on the injury report. Sam Baldock is fighting a calf injury, but he expects to be ready and available for selection in this match.
Benjamin Mendy won't be ready to go for Man City at the outset of the season, but that shouldn't be any great concern in the long run. Ilkay Gundogan has been out for months, but he's right on the verge of his return. It's possible that Gundogan is ready to play at the outset of the year, but don't be surprised if he sits out one more match before making his triumphant return to the fold.
Recent Form
The International Cup of Champions treated Manchester City pretty darn well. The team was beaten by Manchester United 2-0 in its first match, though it should be noted that it was United's third in the USA at that point. Turning around six days later and thrashing Real Madrid 4-1 was a great sign, and finishing things off with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham was even better.
Brighton is coming off of a 3-2 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid last weekend in the last tune up for the start of the season. Just the fact that the new boys were able to hang in there against a team that many feel will have a legitimate chance to challenge for the Champions League title this season is a good sign.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Still, Hughton has this history of merely trying to park the bus in matches like this. When he was managing Norwich City in the Premier League in his last stint, Hughton routinely tried his best for scoreless draws in fixtures like this one, a tactic that often failed and failed miserably.
When you look at some of the newcomers to this Manchester City team and toss them in with the returners and some good health, it's easy to see why this team is the favorite to win it all. Remember that Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are just 22 and 20 years old respectively, and they're going to be stalwarts at the Etihad for a long, long time. So long as the Citizens don't lay down their lines at the back, they shouldn't have a problem, even in what should be an emotional match day at Brighton.
BPL Odds: Manchester City 2, Brighton 0
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