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Most punters know that Chelsea can normally be relied on to win their opener and Everton to lose theirs, but what about the others? Michael Lintorn investigates...


Strong starters

The masters at getting underway with a win are Chelsea, having done so in each of the last nine seasons, last losing their opener back in 1998-99, back when conquerors Coventry were still in the Premier League and playing at Highfield Road. It is no surprise then that they are 1.67 to triumph at Stoke on Sunday.

Of the other title hopefuls, Arsenal are the most impressive, last tasting defeat in their first game in 2000-01. Since then, the Gunners have kicked off with eight victories and two draws. They are 2.0 to continue that form in the first televised tie of the campaign at Newcastle on Saturday.

Blackburn have also made a habit of getting out of the blocks with panache in recent years, taking three points on matchday one in three of the last four years. Tempting odds of 2.16 are offered on them beating Wolves at Ewood Park, despite having done so at Molineux in May.


Slow starters

If Chelsea and Arsenal peak too soon, Everton are the kings of peaking too late, regularly hitting the form of title chasers in the spring having played like relegation battlers in the summer. They have started with a loss in each of the last three years and six of the last eight, and are 1.99 to do so again at Tottenham.

Another team who tend to struggle but may blame the fixture list are West Brom, week one winners just once in 13 years and losers three times in four, yet paired with Chelsea and Arsenal in that time. The luck of the, erm, fixture computer, has deserted them again with Manchester United visiting The Hawthorns on Sunday. The champions are 1.54 to prevail.

Norwich and Swansea's hopes of shocking Wigan [3.8] and Manchester City [14.5] respectively are hindered by dire first weekend records at a lower level, Norwich going eight without success, being shown up at Carrow Road in the last two years, and Swansea suffering five straight defeats.


Awesome Augusters

Ignore the silly term, which refers to sides who always shine not just on the opening day but throughout August. Chelsea are top of the class once more having led the Premier League on August 31 in each of the last four seasons. They are a tasty 2.3 to extend that run under Andre Villas-Boas.

If you think Stoke, West Brom or Norwich will trip the Blues, attractive outsiders are Wigan, who get going against promoted trio Norwich, Swansea and QPR, at 8.6 and Aston Villa at 14.5. The latter visit Fulham and host Blackburn and Wolves, and have won four of their last six August encounters.


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