THE Premier League returned last weekend with new heroes and same old problems – and that was just the Manchester teams. This week La Liga and Serie A join the fun, giving us even more to choose from to secure the best five bets of the weekend.

Player to score – Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal vs. Leicester City) – 37/20

Arsenal started their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace, with opening goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli certainly catching the eye. He finished the match with an individual xG of 0.6, the highest of any Arsenal player on the pitch.

Leicester City were defensively shaky against Brentford last weekend and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four Premier League matches. Arsenal have scored two or more goals in their last three league matches at home and should be able to find space in behind the Foxes’ wing-backs. This is where Martinelli could do some real damage.

Player to be carded – Eric Garcia (Barcelona vs. Rayo Vallecano)

It’s been a hectic summer for Barcelona, but Xavi Hernandez might not be able to play any of his new signings in Saturday’s La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano due to the club’s continued financial issues. This means Jules Kounde could be unavailable with Eric Garcia expected to start in central defence alongside Ronald Araujo.

Garcia doesn’t always handle physical centre forwards particularly well and Radamel Falcao is expected to lead the line for Rayo Vallecano this weekend. Araujo is also prone to a booking, picking up six in La Liga last season, but Garcia could struggle most of all with any quick transition moments.

Match to be a draw – Aston Villa vs. Everton (5/2)

Opening weekend was a difficult one for Aston Villa and Everton as both teams suffered damaging defeats – the former to Bournemouth and the latter to Chelsea. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard face each other in Saturday’s early kick-off with questions over the stewardship of their respective teams swirling. Everton have failed to win 16 of their last 17 way matches in the Premier League, while Aston Villa have failed to win any of their last five matches in the league.

These are two teams seemingly low on confidence right now. Villa have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against Everton (all competitions) while Everton are struggling for firepower. A draw looks to be on the cards.

Both teams to score – Brentford vs. Manchester United (16/25)

Brentford and Manchester United both found themselves 2-0 down in their opening fixtures of the 2022/23 Premier League season last weekend. The Bees were able to fight back to claim a 2-2 draw against Leicester City.

United, however, suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton, raising early questions about Erik ten Hag’s team. United have lost their last six away games in the Premier League, but Brentford aren’t the tightest team at the back, conceding two or more goals in their last three matches in the division. It seems unlikely either team will be able to keep a clean sheet in Saturday’s match at the Brentford Community Stadium.

1x 3 or 4 line combo bet builder

Sunday’s clash between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur promises to be the standout fixture in the Premier League this weekend. Both teams started their 2022/23 season with a win and the outcome of Sunday’s match will reveal a lot about the quality of the two London rivals.

Tottenham, however, appear to be closer to the finished product under Antonio Conte than Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, which is still a work-in-progress. Spurs have won their last four Premier League matches and have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches in the division. This is a chance for them to plant a flag this season.

Despite the famous image of the Battle of the Bridge from 2016, Spurs have been given under 2.5 cards in their last six matches at Chelsea. A disciplined Spurs could snatch a famous victory.