talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Monday 24 August

The first round of Premier League matches concludes on Monday evening with Fulham hosting west London neighbours Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile in Europe, there is Serie A action with Roma hosting Fiorentina and in La Liga we have a clash between Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna.

As usual, we have a trio of selections to make up our best bets of the day.

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Bet of the Day

Chelsea -1 @ 9/4

Chelsea should have too much quality for Fulham and can make a winning start under Xabi Alonso while covering the -1 handicap.

The Blues finished tenth last season but still scored 58 goals, 11 more than their west London neighbours, and the summer additions should give Alonso greater strength in attack. 

Joao Pedro was a standout performer last term with 15 league goals and has also found the net seven times in pre-season, while Chelsea have further options in Cole Palmer and summer capture Morgan Rogers.

Fulham, meanwhile, have endured a summer of change following Marco Silva’s departure, with Alvaro Arbeloa now in charge. Their attacking options also look less convincing after losing Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, while former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia may need time to settle.

Chelsea should be able to exploit those weaknesses and establish control, with a two-goal margin of victory appealing.

Bet Builder 

Roma to win to nil and under 2.5 goals against Fiorentina @ 5/2

Roma should have enough defensive quality to make a winning start at home to Fiorentina, with a victory to nil and under 2.5 goals appealing.

The hosts finished last season with one of the meanest defences in Serie A and have won their last two home meetings with Fiorentina.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side should be able to control the contest at the Stadio Olimpico, while Fiorentina endured an underwhelming campaign last term and face a difficult opening-night assignment in the capital.

Roma’s defensive structure should limit the visitors’ opportunities, while Paulo Dybala provides the quality to make the difference at the other end.

A low-scoring home victory looks likely, with Roma capable of securing another clean sheet against their visitors.

Acca

Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna to draw, Roma and Chelsea both to win @ 29/4

Malaga and Deportivo could serve up an entertaining contest when these newly promoted sides meet at La Rosaleda on Monday night.

Deportivo secured a draw against Elche in their La Liga opener and should be capable of taking another positive result, while Malaga have drawn their last three home matches.

There is little to separate the sides on paper, with both clubs targeting survival after returning to the top flight, and neither should be overly keen to take too many risks early in the campaign.

Malaga are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Deportivo, with five of them ending all square, another share of the spoils could be on the cards in this clash.

Chelsea are expected to overcome Fulham in the West London derby at Craven Cottage and Roma’s reliability at the back should help them see off Fiorentina in the Italian capital for a treble that pays more than 7/1. 

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change.

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