Chelsea begins the season as the favorite to retain its Premier League title, but there is plenty of feeling there could be several challengers worth of consideration this term.
Jose Mourinho’s men have suffered back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Fiorentina respectively within the last seven days, as their preparation for the forthcoming campaign ended on a disappointing note, but the Blues will look to be at their best for this weekend’s top-flight tussle with Swansea City.
Chelsea is a strong favorite to open its league campaign with a win, with the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook offering just -300 odds that Mourinho’s men claim all three points Saturday (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
Swansea shocked Manchester United on the opening day of last season by winning at Old Trafford, and Garry Monk’s men are chalked up at a chunky +925 at the Westgate to shock the hosts here, while the same book goes +385 that the Swans settle for a share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge.
More Premier League betting: Futures odds and picks | Goal.com hub
It is worth noting that Chelsea conceded just nine Premier League goals on home soil last season. The total at the SuperBook is posted at 2.5 goals (OVER -120, UNDER +100), and the two-way spread bet has Chelsea -1.5 goals (+115), while Swansea can be backed +1.5 goals for -135.
Offshore books have +110 odds that the Blues win in a shutout, a tempting option that offers an opportunity to back the odds-on favorites at a tasty price.
Mourinho’s men notched an impressive nine goals in their two Premier League outings against the Swans last season and, should the defending champions hit the ground running this weekend, there may well be value for gamblers in backing Chelsea -1.5 goals with bet against the spread.
Blues striker Diego Costa scored five Premier League goals against Monk’s men last term and, should the Spanish striker reproduce that kind of form this weekend, then bettors may well be rewarded for snapping up the +105 offshore odds for the 26-year-old front man to notch at any time. While question marks remain over the Spain international's fitness though, goalscorer wagers could be better left until the teamsheets are available.
Costa is +333 to score the first goal of the match in west London, while Radamel Falcao can be backed at +450 to mark his competitive debut for Chelsea by breaking the deadlock in Saturday’s showdown.
The Blues completed a Premier League double over Swansea last season, and Mourinho’s men can be trusted to start the new campaign with a victory at Stamford Bridge.
However, the -300 odds for a home win are far too skinny, and therefore, it is the +110 for Mourinho’s men to win in a shutout that represents the best value for gamblers this weekend.
Goal.com best bet: Chelsea to win in a shutout at +110
This story has been edited since its original version on Goal.com to reflect the odds offered in Las Vegas, where applicable.