BIG-SPENDING Chelsea have the perfect opportunity to register their first win of the season when they host newly promoted Luton today, August 25, at Stamford Bridge. Then on Sunday, Newcastle and Liverpool will collide in a major clash of two sides with European expectations this season.

Event # 1 – EPL– Chelsea vs Luton– 2:00 pm

It has been a miserable few weeks for Chelsea fans after their huge summer spending on new players, a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the season with Liverpool, and a 3-1 beating by West Ham mean they have only won one Premier League match since the middle of March. That’s a poor record for any team, never mind one that is accustomed to competing for titles.

Chelsea remain a work in progress under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, it would be a major surprise if they didn’t secure their first win of the season when the Premier League new boys, Luton, come calling.

Luton lost their first top-flight game in over 30 years when they were soundly beaten 4-1 by Brighton, and their baptism of fire will continue when they visit Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. Indeed, no Premier League side has started with two away games in a season since Blackpool in 2010/11. However, they will be aiming to create the first upset of this new season as Chelsea are yet to win a match so far. Luton will take confidence from the fact that were the second-best away team in the Championship on their way to promotion last season, only champions Burnley gathered more away points than them.

KEY STATS

Chelsea – have seen both teams scoring in their last three matches, and they have won their last three matches against Luton.

Luton – have lost two of their last three matches and have conceded 2 goals or more in two of their last three matches.

Both sides – Chelsea and Luton met in consecutive years in the FA Cup — in 2021 with Chelsea winning at home, while a year later Chelsea visited Luton and won 2-3.

The betting tip: Chelsea win.

Event # 2 EPL – Newcastle vs Liverpool – 10:30 am

Newcastle and Liverpool face another early test of their top four credentials when they meet on Tyneside in the pick of the weekend Premier League games.

Newcastle began the new campaign in a buoyant mood by thrashing Aston Villa 5-1, but they were brought back down to earth by champions Manchester losing 1-0 away from home.

Newcastle have failed to beat Liverpool in almost eight years, but all that might change, especially as Liverpool were poor on the road last season, suffering eight away defeats on their travels. At home, Newcastle have been good, winning four of their last six Premier League matches while scoring 18 goals and conceding just six.

Liverpool’s form has varied, starting with a high-scoring 4-4 draw against Southampton in a pre-season friendly, followed by an entertaining 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and then a 3-1 home win over Bournemouth. The Reds, Liverpool, will be aiming to return to the top four this season after struggling for most of last season, though eventually finishing fifth to secure a Europa League spot. Even with their poor record on the road last season, Liverpool will travel to Newcastle with confidence, having not lost against them since 2015, and their confidence will be further lifted as they have made an unbeaten start to the season.

KEY STATS

Newcastle – have won three of their last five home matches, scoring five goals in their first home match of the season.

Liverpool – won this exact fixture last season, beating the Magpies 2-0 on their home turf. Indeed, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five away matches.

Both sides – In the last 13 meetings between both sides Liverpool have nine wins, with the other four games ending in draws as Newcastle have not won against the Reds since 2015.

The betting tip: Draw – both teams to score.