Elite Sports Betting Tips: August 5
English Premier League - Crystal Palace vs Arsenal - Anytime Goal Scorer Gabriel Jesus @ $2.70
Nick
Arsenal will look to atone for both their last opening game of the season when they were beat by newcomers Brentford 2-0, and battered 3-0 in their last clash with Crystal Palace, with Mikel Arteta looking to send out an early statement.
And with 7 goals from his last 5 pre-season matches (including a hat-trick against Sevilla) it is fair to say Jesus is relishing his new starting role at Arsenal.
As an interesting side-note; He’s also the most picked player in any edition of Fantasy Premier League in its history, being picked for a whopping 72.5% of side. Can the punters be wrong? 1 unit
UFC Santos vs Hill - Santos to win @ $3.45
Blake
We're headed back to the UFC Apex this week with another solid card on the way for fight fans.
Our headliner this week is a bout between Thiago 'Mahetta' Santos and Jamal Hill in a Light Heavyweight fight that will continue to shape the division.
Mahetta was a one time title contender - in fact many people believe he defeated Jon Jones in that fight - who has somewhat lost his way since.
But make no mistake, he is still up with the division's elite and this looks an excellent fight for him to bounce back in.
There's no doubt Hill is dangerous and possesses the weapons to finish this fight but Santos is sure to enjoy a stand-up affair here.
With bombs in his hands he'll only need to land once to close the show and as a significant 'dog, that's a risk we simply have to be willing to take. 1.5 units
NRL - Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers - 1x2 & Total Canberra & Under 40.5 @ 4.20
Brad
The Nation's Capital plays host to Match of the Round this week as the in-form Canberra Raiders host the reigning premiers Penrith Panthers on Saturday afternoon.
Three wins on the bounce has put Canberra right back in the race for the finals and only sit out of the top-8 on points difference.
Penrith head into this one after losing just their second match of the season last weekend in a 34-10 defeat at the hands of Parramatta.
To make matters worse for the premiers, they’ve lost halfback Nathan Cleary for the rest of the regular season after being hit with a five-game suspension for a dangerous tackle in the defeat to the Eels.
While Cleary’s suspension combined with Jerome Luai’s injury layoff is a serious hit to Penrith, it’s hardly enough to hit the panic button just yet as they still enjoy a three game buffer on top of the ladder with five games remaining.
Penrith are surprisingly short favourites at 1.66 given their injury problems, lack of motivation with the Minor Premiership all but sealed and Canberra’s impressive recent form.
A win will see Canberra climb into the top eight and we expect them to do just that at GIO Stadium on Saturday.
Raiders have seen under 40.5 points in five of their last seven games and two of the last three meetings between the teams have seen under 40.5 points.
With all that in mind we’re backing a win to the home side with under 40.5 points saluting. 2 units
English Premier League - Bournemouth v Aston Villa - 1x2 Aston Villa @ 2.07
George
Say it louder… THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK!
Thanks to the World Cup being played this upcoming November, the season has been pushed forward a month to make way for scheduling, and we at Stake are just fine with that!
The match I will be focusing on is between the newly-promoted Cherries and, in my opinion, the real European contender sleeper in Aston Villa.
This 1x2 price backing the latter has tremendous value considering Bournemouth’s pre-season injury worries and their underwhelming transfer window which has had many criticising their moves.
While this match will be played away from Birmingham I still see the midlands team putting on a comfortable display led by Jamaican speedster Leon Bailey, who has the potential to do great things this campaign.
It all starts Saturday for them, and all signs say that they will leave Vitality Stadium with maximum points. I’m going for a 3-1 scoreline in favour of the Villains. 3 units
English Premier League - Tottenham v Southampton - Anytime Goal Scorer Harry Kane @ 1.85
Dom Rae
The Premier League makes it's long awaited return this weekend in one of the most intriguing seasons in many years in store.
There has been an even bigger influx of talent than usual with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all freshening up their attacking options, but one team that will be right up there and have a settled attacking triumvirate is Tottenham, with the deadly Harry Kane still leading the line.
Kane is one of the EPL's all time great goal scorers and has simply been banging them in in pre-season with five to his name.
He'll continue to be supported by Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulesevski this season and his manager Antonio Conte seems to have got the perfect tune out of him.
Tottenham face Southampton on the opening weekend in a game many expect them to win and given their leading marksman's form he can be the man to unlock the Saints defence and open his account for the season at the first time of asking. 1 unit
AFL - West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows - Winner West Coast @ 1.98
Caelum
Despite the Eagles' major shortcomings in 2022, they have the chance to end the season on a major high for their fans by nabbing a win against Adelaide this weekend.
Superstar key forward Josh Kennedy will play his 293rd and final game at home against the Crows, who have got nothing on the line other than restoring some pride after another rebuilding season.
Adelaide did score a shock win over Carlton last week, but the away trip to Perth is not easy for any club, especially against a side who will be hellbent on sending off one of their favourite sons on a big high.
The Eagles have won five of the last six encounters between these two sides, whilst the Crows have not beaten the Eagles in Perth since 2016 at the old Subiaco Oval.
Kennedy's partner in crime, Jack Darling, will also come into this game full of confidence after a bag of six last week in their close loss against Gold Coast.
With his best mate on the way out and against an Adelaide backline that has struggled with key forwards all season, they should find plenty of chances to hit the scoreboard.
The midfield battle will be critical to the outcome of this one, with the Crows tackle-happy engine room in fine form recently.
Nic Naitanui will be better off after returning last week and will aid what is a star studded Eagles midfield, albeit one that has recently spluttered with nothing to play for.
Things are different for this weeks and to send their fans home with a morale-boosting win for "JK", it would be a great way to kick-start the Eagles rebuild. 2 units
AFL - Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers - Asian Handicap Western Bulldogs -13.5 @ 1.87
Matt R
The Bulldogs are back at Marvel Stadium this week and are needing to win the last three games of the regular season to have any chance at making the finals.
After a gallant first half effort last week against Geelong expect to see the Bulldogs to come out firing from all cylinders this week.
In addition to this the Bulldogs are celebrating retro round with the debut of father son Sam Darcy.
Caleb Daniel will also be playing his 150th game, Adam Treloar returns to the wing and will be influencing scores and Alex Keath will bolster the back line and give some relief to Tim English in the ruck.
Fremantle faced a disappointing loss to Melbourne at home last week and need to ensure at least one win before the end of the season to see their first finals appearance in seven years.
The Bulldogs will cover this line comfortably and I think the 13.5 is extremely short considering the form they bring into this game after beating Melbourne at the same ground only two weeks ago. 2 units
English Premier League - West Ham United vs Manchester City - Correct Score Man City 2-0 @ 6.80
Ben
What a time to be alive as life-long dedicated EPL football fan, bring on the weekend action, we've been waiting!
Now, Man City introducing Erling Haaland to the squad means one thing, straight savage victories and nasty goals all season long, I foresee total dominance from the jump!
The man Halland is a soldier of god sent to kick goals and put defenders in the dirt, and this season he's backed by a scary team with some great chemistry.
First game of the new season brings a lot of pressure and some potential nerves to come with it. The fans have high expectations for this Man City squad, and they won't disappoint.
I see Man City warming up into this match slowly, before eventually finding their feet and putting 2 goals into the back of the net.
West Ham will struggle to match the intensity over 90 minutes. 2 units
AFL - Hawthorn vs Gold Coast - Winner Hawthorn @ 1.95
Alex
Simply taking home ground advantage in this matchup, with the venue set in Tasmania.
While the Hawks haven't had a great season, currently sitting 13th on the ladder with no real hope of getting into the top 8, they have generally performed quite well in Tasmania.
Despite having previously lost to Gold Coast by 67 points back in May at TIO stadium, I'm optimistic that the Hawks can secure a win at home.
While they have lost Mitch Lewis (injury) and Jiath Changkuoth (suspension) this week, they do get back Jarman Impey.
Taking Hawthorn for the win. 1 unit
English Premier League - Leicester City v Brentford - 1x2 Leicester City @ 2.02
Nathan Pap
It is that special time in August where the return of the EPL signals the start of the crazy end of year Sport rush.
The Foxes will have to adjust to life without Stalwart Goalie, Kasper Schmeichel but they are too talented not to take the 3 points at home.
Brentford showed plenty of promise last season, finishing 13th but they get outmatched here.
Expecting a fairly low scoring affair at the King Power.
Brendan Rogers’ men get it done to open the season on a winning note. 2 units