let's keep it rolling folks
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in the French Ligue watch the Reims/Lyon total if it goes to 3 O juiced
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SOC Figueirense FC DRAW +202

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SOC Maritzburg United FC DRAW +177

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France
LeHarve +103
-Le Havre AC have been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 8 matches in Ligue 2
-Le Havre AC are unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 home matches in Ligue 2
-Le Havre AC are on a run of 11 consecutive undefeated matches in their domestic league
-Le Havre AC have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 9 Ligue 2 games

Holland
RKC Waalwijk +133
-SC Telstar have failed to score in 6 of their last 8 matches in Eerste Divisie
-RKC Waalwijk are undefeated in their last 6 games against SC Telstar in Eerste Divisie

AjaxII/Roda over 3 -124
-Over 2.5 goals were seen in Jong Ajax's last 19 away matches in Eerste Divisie

HelmondSport/Dordrecht over 3 +106
-There have been over 2.5 goals in Helmond Sport's last 8 Eerste Divisie games
-Helmond Sport have conceded at least two goals in their last 7 league games
-Helmond Sport have allowed at least three goals in 5 of their last 7 Eerste Divisie games
-FC Dordrecht have conceded 3 or more goals in 5 of their last 6 Eerste Divisie games

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Betting Odds: Lazio vs. Napoli
Napoli: +143
Lazio: +182
Draw: +251
Over/Under: 2.75 (Over -108/Under -112)
Kickoff: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN+

All eyes will be on reigning champions Juventus and, in particular, new signing Cristiano Ronaldo, in Serie A’s curtain raiser as The Old Lady face Chievo. But there’s little doubt that the game of the weekend is later in the day.

Lazio, which ended the previous season in heartache following defeat in a Champions League shootout with Inter, host 2017-2018 runners-up Napoli.

Napoli put up a real challenge for the title last season but ultimately choked in the dying weeks of the campaign. Juventus ended up lifting the Scudetto for the seventh year in a row.

That may have been Napoli’s best chance at ending Juve’s dynasty, as former manager Maurizio Sarri jumped over to Chelsea this summer.

The man tasked with filling Sarri’s shoes is Carlo Ancelotti, whose appointment was bizarrely confirmed before the announcement of Sarri’s departure.

While no one can question the new manager’s pedigree in terms of honors, there are understandable concerns as to whether the former Bayern Munich boss is the right man to continue the fantastic work of his predecessor with Napoli.

Ancelotti, after all, fell foul of the dressing room in Bavaria following what was a dramatic drop off in the intensity of his coaching compared to that of Pep Guardiola.

While few could attest to being quite so meticulous as Pep, Sarri is another coach known for his high demands in training, so how the players respond to such a drastic change remains to be seen.

There’s little question that, back in his homeland, Ancelotti will have the respect of his players, but getting the same levels of performance out of a side that some felt were the most entertaining to watch in Europe last season will be no easy feat.

It’s a hard start to his tenure at the club too, with a trip to the capital to face a hugely effective attacking team.

Lazio were the leading scorers, ahead of Juventus, in Serie A last season (89 goals), though the 49 they conceded ranked 10th in the league and ultimately saw them miss out on the top four in goal differential.

Lazio can thank Napoli for their misfortune, as the Partenopei won both meetings between the teams 4-1 last season. In fact, Napoli have won each of their last five trips to Rome, but Ancelotti knows that Simone Inzaghi’s side have the tools to hurt them.

Lazio has been able to keep hold of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to this point, which is a huge positive for Inzaghi. Milinkovic-Savic will help lead an attack that boasts Ciro Immobile, who will be aiming for back-to-back top scorer awards.

Chelsea v Arsenal | Saturday 18th August 2018, 17:30 | BT Sport
Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea got off to a winning start at Huddersfield last weekend. The Blues in moments resembled Sarri’s free-flowing Napoli, with Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro all thriving in roles off the striker.

However, high-pressing was at the heart of Sarri’s success in Italy, so whether that’s something his Stamford Bridge squad have cottoned onto, remains to be seen. Huddersfield offered little in possession.

Star-man Eden Hazard should be available from the start this Saturday, having created the third-goal from the bench seven-days-ago.

Unai Emery has been dealt a harsh hand at the start of the season. Only Liverpool were able to scalp Man City last season, so expecting the new Gunners boss to see off the settled Citizens would have been harsh.

Nonetheless, Arsenal were worryingly open defensively – it’s clear it’ll take time for the Spaniard change things.

An open game likely
Friendlies give us little insight but these sides faced each other at the start of the month – while the personnel will be different, the styles won’t be. It was an open end-to-end game.

Both sides’ opening games saw over 2.5 goals so it’s no surprise to see the same outcome available at odds-on.

At odds-on I have little interest in Chelsea. They haven’t shown enough to justify such a short status and we haven’t seen enough to be confident in the Blues as an odds-on chance.

Referee Martin Atkinson showed four yellow-cards when Newcastle and Spurs met last Saturday and averaged 3.6 cards per game across 33-matches last campaign. In six matches between the top-six last season, Atkinson averaged 3.5 cards per-game.

Everton v Southampton | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
Ladbrokes price of evens on Both Teams To Score takes my fancy here. Since Marco Silva arrived in England, 24 of his 43 league games (56%) saw both teams find the net.

Additionally, both Everton and Southampton saw more than 50% of their matches last season end with goals for each side and of Mark Hughes’ 30 games (across Stoke and Southampton) as a Premier League manager last term, 17 (57%) saw both sides find the net.

In Richarlison, Theo Walcott, Gyfil Sigurdsson and Cenk Tosun, Everton have plenty of attacking threat but I do worry about them defensively. Sam Allardyce was relieved of his services as his style of football was deemed to be too negative and Silva is clearly a more offensive manager.

I expect an Everton win and both teams to score to be a profitable angle this term and wouldn’t put anyone off this being the outcome this weekend. That is available at 7/2 with Bet365 but I don’t want to worry about the winner and will back Everton and Southampton to get on the scoresheet.

Odds-on favorites went 0-3 in La Liga and Ligue 1 today

Levante (+492) at Real Betis
Reims (+412) vs. Lyon
Girona-Valladolid Draw +259

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SOC Figueirense FC DRAW +202 .....loss

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SOC Maritzburg United FC DRAW +177 ....win

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Cardiff vs Newcastle
BTTS Yes +107

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Newcastle at Cardiff City (7:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Newcastle Moneyline Odds+151
Cardiff City Moneyline Odds: +230
Draw Moneyline Odds: +211
Over/Under: 2 (o-108)
Cardiff City were poor in their road opener last weekend, but their direct, long-ball approach should suit them better at home on Saturday against Newcastle.

Historically, this is the sweet spot for a draw, and there are two very profitable Bet Labs systems pointing toward to it based on the low total of 2 goals.

Around the market, public bettors have pounded Newcastle to the tune of more than 80% of tickets. Newcastle’s odds have come down slightly from +166 to +151 at Pinnacle, but they’re a very trendy road underdog that I tend to avoid. I see the value elsewhere, and think Cardiff City can definitely grab a point at home in the early kickoff.

Southampton at Everton (10 a.m. ET, NBC Sports Gold)
Everton Moneyline Odds: -115
Southampton Moneyline Odds: +388
Draw Moneyline: +245
Over/Under: 2 (o-150)
Southampton and Everton are coming off draws on opening weekend, both in disappointing fashion. Southampton played to a goal-less home draw with Burnley, while Everton drew 2-2 at Wolves.

The result wasn’t terrible for the Toffees, but receiving a red card in the first half was not the way they envisioned the season starting. That means center-back Phil Jagielka will be suspended for three matches, including Saturday vs. Southampton.

Even with the suspension, odds opened much shorter than I anticipated with Everton at +105. The home side has already moved to -115 odds-on favorites behind 81% of bets, making them the most lopsided wager of the day. Although they were very active at the end of the transfer window, players like Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes are not quite ready to play.

There’s also lopsided action on the spread of Everton -0.5 (-115), meaning public bettors don’t even want to take Southampton on the goal line. The odds feel fishy, and I’m more than willing to take Southampton on the goal line at plus-money.

The Bet: Southampton +0.5 (+104)

Wolverhampton at Leicester City (10 a.m. ET, NBC Sports Gold)
Leicester City Moneyline Odds: +106
Wolves Moneyline Odds: +286
Draw Moneyline Odds: +255
Over/Under: 2.5 (u-117)
Despite dropping the season opener at Old Trafford, Leicester City were impressive against Manchester United and were a bit unfortunate to lose outright.

Newly promoted Wolves also looked pretty strong in their opener, but had to settle for a 2-2 home draw against Everton. Oddsmakers have been really high on Wolverhampton all summer long, and we’ll likely see shaded lines continue in the early stages of the season.

There has been very little line movement so far around the market, and public betting percentages are all dispersed evenly. I think this game could go any way and don’t love the value anywhere.

ulham at Tottenham (10 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
Tottenham Moneyline Odds: -343
Fulham Moneyline Odds: +1055
Draw Moneyline Odds: +520
Over/Under: 3 (o-120)
Fulham lost their home opener to Crystal Palace, 2-0, and will be lucky to compete with Tottenham on Saturday — the Cottagers are huge +1055 dogs to win outright and +520 just to steal a point.

Spurs secured a 2-1 win at Newcastle in the opener and are heavy favorites to pick up three more points against Fulham. It’s been a feast for Tottenham against newly promoted clubs, as they’ve won 18 straight home matches against first-year EPL teams. Saturday won’t exactly be a true home game since they still temporarily reside at Wembley Stadium, but the advantage will still be there.

Sportsbooks are optimistic about Tottenham extending the streak with a 77.4% implied win probability. Public bettors are on board and expect to see a blowout with more than 80% of spread bets on Spurs -1.5 goals. There may be some contrarian value on Fulham if they move to +2 goals, but I wouldn’t feel confident in +1.5.

Arsenal at Chelsea (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Chelsea Moneyline Odds: -118
Arsenal Moneyline Odds: +334
Draw Moneyline Odds: +299
Over/Under: 3 (u-109)
In the biggest game of the weekend, Chelsea will host Arsenal in a battle between new managers Unai Emery and Maurizio Sarri. Last weekend Arsenal struggled to get anything going against Manchester City, but bettors shouldn’t be too quick to judge the Gunners based on that result.

Chelsea, on the other hand, easily dispatched Huddersfield, 3-0, and folks may be overreacting to the victory. Since opening at -127 odds, nearly 70% of bettors are taking the Blues to make it back-to-back wins.

While there’s no doubt Chelsea looked solid in the opener, things will be much tougher against Arsenal, both offensively and defensively. The Gunners have a potent attack but just weren’t clicking last week against arguably the best club in the world. Bettors and oddsmakers have taken note, and there’s been considerable action on the over, moving the total from 2.75 to 3 (via Pinnacle).

The biggest match of game week 2 in the Premier League is the clash between the two London giants – Chelsea and Arsenal. As the Blues prepare to host the Gunners on Saturday evening, there are far more similarities between the two clubs at present, than the fans of either team would like to admit. Both of them had a disappointing 2017-18, ending the season out of their usual top-four echelon. Both the clubs have appointed new managers in the summer, both of whom have the pedigree to take the clubs back up into the top-four club. Towards that goal, both the managers will be keen for their teams to not only win their first derby but also to clinch three important points against a fellow top-four competitor.

Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea began the Premier League campaign well last weekend, when they brushed Huddersfield Town aside (0-3) at the John Smith Stadium. Chelsea were rampant in attack and efficient in defense. But on Saturday, Chelsea are playing at home where they have won only once in last four league games. Sarri would like to end that streak and instead, would like the Blues to continue from where left off last weekend. But, Unai Emery’s Arsenal will be a tougher opponent than Huddersfield.

The Gunners did not fare as well as their hosts in the first game week losing 0-2 at home. Unai Emery became the first Arsenal manager in eight to lose his first league game in charge. But that game was against the champions Manchester City who played as if there had been no summer break at all. Chelsea will be a different proposition, albeit almost as tough. Emery’s side have an extremely tough start to their league campaign, as they face the last two champions consecutively. However, thereafter the fixture list is kinder, and Arsenal can hope to salvage some points in those subsequent game weeks. At Stamford Bridge on Saturday, even a point would be considered a success.

INTERESTING STATS
The Gunners’ last victory at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League was in October 2011 when they won 5-3. Arsenal have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge.
At Huddersfield, Sarri became the ninth consecutive Chelsea manager – including caretakers – to avoid defeat in his first match in charge, and it was the biggest winning margin of any new Blues boss since Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Chelsea have lost one of their last eight Premier League games (against Newcastle on the final day of last season), winning five and drawing two of those. That visit to St James’ Park is the only league game in the past 10 when they failed to score
Arsenal have gone 17 Premier League games without a draw dating back to 3 January, when Chelsea were the visitors to the Emirates. The Gunners also are hoping to avoid losing their first two Premier League games of the season for the first time since 1992/93.
KEY MEN
EDEN HAZARD
Although Sarri is not sure if Hazard will start this game or not but even if he comes off the bench, Eden Hazard can be the difference between Chelsea being held to a draw and Chelsea winning. Hazard ended the last season with 12 goals scored and 4 assisted in 34 league games. Although the Belgian had a small 13-minute cameo against Huddersfield, he still managed to assist Chelsea’s third goal. If Sarri’s starting line-up does not come through, Eden Hazard will be key for Chelsea to win.

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
As pundits have suggested, to defeat Chelsea, Arsenal will have to press the Blues high up the pitch and then attack with pace after recovering possession. Those are the strengths of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He had a poor game against City last weekend, but he does possess the underlying ability to take the attack to Chelsea. After his move to the Emirates in January, Aubameyang scored 13 league goals and assisted three goals in just 1421 minutes spread over 16 games. His xG per 90 for that period was 1.05, i.e, he was sure to score in every game if he played all the 90 minutes. If Aubameyang can summon similar form on Saturday, he will cause trouble for Chelsea’s defense.

TEAM NEWS
For Chelsea, Cesc Fabregas (knee injury) joins Izzy Brown and Marco van Ginkel on the sidelines. Either Mateo Kovacic or Ruben Loftus-Cheek might start in Ross Barkley’s place. If Eden Hazard starts, it could be at either Morata’s or Willian’s expense.

For Arsenal, Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are sidelined, and Nacho Monreal is still a doubt, so Stephan Lichtsteiner is set to make his full debut at left-back. Danny Welbeck could be named on the bench, while Lacazette might start, possibly in place of Mkhitaryan. Lucas Torreira might start as well, possibly replacing Matteo Guendouzi.

VERDICT
While we can expect a better performance from the Gunners as compared to last week, their form and recent record at Stamford Bridge suggests that Chelsea should be able to take home all three points on Saturday.

Chelsea 2 – 1 Arsenal

Partick v Celtic | Saturday 18th August 2018, 12:30 | BT Sport
Brendan Rodgers has suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time as Celtic boss and three in a row would turn a mini crisis into a full-blown one. Hearts and AEK Athens took the Hoops’ scalp and next up to have a go are Partick Thistle who are 12/1 at BetVictor to cause a seismic shock.

Just when we were starting to see some league form the powers that be have hit us with a Betfred Cup card. The last-16 ties are usually played in midweek but at least for punters they are easier to call than the Challenge Cup.

Thistle are back in the Championship so it’s a big day for them but class should tell and I expect the Hoops to get back on track and stay on course for a potential treble treble.

Celtic are 1/4 at Marathon so for value take -1 at 3/4 with Betway. The Parkhead side have won nine in a row at Firhill and netted at least two on eight of those matches

Dunfermline v Hearts | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
Premiership leaders Hearts side should win at East End Park but are a little short at 8/11 at Betway.

Doubts continue to surround the future of Jambos’ star striker Kyle Lafferty with Rangers expected to complete a deal to take him back to Ibrox.

Championship side Dunfermline are decent up top and their recent games have seen loads the goals.

The Pars claimed the scalp of Dundee in the group stage and usually hit the net at home so I like both to score at 10/11 with Paddy Power.

Albion v Elgin | Saturday 18th August 2018, 15:00
In League Two, Albion Rovers already look doomed to a season of misery.

They’ve shipped eight goals in back-to-back defeats and lost all seven outings in league and cup, scoring just once. Their budget has been cut to the bone after relegation last season and confidence is rock bottom.

Visitors Elgin have a win and a draw so far and can pocket another three points here.

Back the away side and Over 1.5 Goals at 10/11 with Ladbrokes.

Leicester City/Wolves - BTTS -110

Parlay - Risk a subway footlong to win a steak dinner
Everton
Tottenham
Burnley
Liverpool
Brighton - Win or draw

Sun
Manchester City/Huddersfield - O3.5 -109

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SOC Celta de Vigo +100

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SOC FC Barcelona -2.75 -116

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371321893
Norwich City v Sheffield United Over 2.5 -107

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