Arsenal v Coventry
Arsenal

Arsenal vs Coventry City

, KO: 20:00 , Emirates
Coventry City

The curtain will come up on the new Premier League season on Friday night as Arsenal entertain Coventry City at the Emirates.

The Gunners head into the new campaign as defending champions for the first time in more than two decades following last season's title triumph.

Mikel Arteta's men are the bookies' outright favourites to retain their crown, and they made a statement of intent by sweeping aside Man City 3-0 in the Community Shield last weekend.

Now back at the Emirates for competitive action for the first time since lifting the title, Arsenal will be expected to pick up where they left off when Coventry come calling.

The Sky Blues, meanwhile, are back in the big time for the first time since 2001 after securing automatic promotion as champions of the English Championship last season.

Frank Lampard and his players know they face a huge challenge to avoid an immediate return to the second tier, and they could hardly have wished for a more daunting opening assignment than a trip to the Emirates.

How the bookies view it: Gunners to come out firing

It will come as little surprise to see Arsenal installed as heavy odds-on favourites to get their Premier League title defence off to a winning start, with a home victory trading at 2/11 on bet365.

Coventry, meanwhile, are a whopping 14/1 to cause a major upset and leave the Emirates with all three points, while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 13/2.

Head to head: History book dormant

The head-to-head record is heavily weighted in Arsenal's favour, with 43 wins from 76 meetings, alongside 19 draws and 14 Coventry victories.

It has been more than 12 years since these two sides last crossed paths, with Arsenal claiming a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Coventry in 2014. A repeat of that scoreline on Friday night is priced at 10/1 with bet365.

Players to watch: Kai to KO Cov?

Kai Havertz got his name on the scoresheet in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Manchester City last weekend, and he looks good value to open his Premier League account for the season at 6/5 on bet365.

Over in the fouls market, new Coventry midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi could be worth a look at 5/6 on bet365 to commit two or more fouls. Yirenkyi was penalised seven times across his three appearances for Ghana at the World Cup.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal are expected to be without Jurrien Timber and William Saliba due to injury, while Gabriel Martinelli is again unlikely to feature with uncertainty continuing to surround his future.

Frank Onyeka is a doubt after being forced off against Monaco last week, while Friday night's fixture is likely to come too soon for Jack Rudoni.

Arsenal: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz

Coventry: Rushworth; van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Dasilva; Grimes, Onyeka, Yirenkyi; Thomas-Asante, Wright, Tchaouna

Anything else catch the eye?

With Arsenal too short to back at the above-mentioned odds, I'll instead dip into the bet builder and combine a home win with Arsenal to win the most corners and Bukayo Saka to score or assist at 4/5.

The Gunners were among the Premier League's strongest performers when it came to corners last season, averaging just shy of six per game, while Saka chipped in with 14 goal contributions across his 31 appearances.

Arsenal collected just 17 yellow cards across their 19 Premier League home games last season, so they could be worth backing to avoid picking up a booking on Friday night at 5/2 on bet365.

Arsenal vs Coventry City Betting Tips & Predictions
Arsenal Win, Arsenal Most Corners & Bukayo Saka Goal or Assist
4/5
Bet365
Kai Havertz To Score Anytime
6/5
Bet365
Caleb Yirenkyi To Commit 2+ Fouls
Bet365
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