Torres and Balotelli to be in thick of opening Premier League action
Published:After scoring one of the final goals of Euro 2012, Chelsea’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres is favoured by Ladbrokes to hit the opening televised strike of this Premier League season, at 7/2.
Torres’ Chelsea side travel to Wigan in front of the Sky cameras on 19th August, in a game which precedes Manchester City’s home tie with Southampton on ‘Super Sunday.’
Chelsea will be eager to get their campaign off to a good start, as they aim to improve on a league standing which would have seen them miss out on Champions League qualification last term, barring their victory in the competition.
Meanwhile, Torres will enter the campaign in buoyant mood, following his claiming of the Golden Boot award as his country triumphed in a major tournament for the third time in succession.
The striker’s international teammate Juan Mata is afforded 9/2 joint-second favouritism for the first goal elsewhere, along with Daniel Sturridge, who like Mata will compete at this year’s Olympics.
It is 6/1 that Frank Lampard scores the first televised goal of the 2011/2012 season, whilst Wigan’s Franco Di Santo is 9/1 to haunt his former club with the opener.
But those who fancy a stalemate at the DW Stadium are catered to also, with 20/1 on offer about Sergio Aguero scoring first in front of the Sky cameras.
Punters can also bet on who will receive the first red card of the campaign on live TV too, with Ladbrokes expectant that Mario Balotelli will once again become encapsulated in controversy.
The Italian striker, the recipient of four red cards in total last term, is a 10/1 hope to be dismissed in City’s opening game against Southampton.
Balotelli’s antics continued to dazzle and frustrate supporters at Euro 2012, and he certainly looks worth a punt to provide the first real controversial incident of note in front of the TV cameras this season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
