This really is one of the game’s strangest tales. Gareth Bale has won no less than FOUR European Cups at Real Madrid; scoring arguably the most incredible goal in a Champions League final ever along the way. While most clubs would contemplate putting up a statue of him, Real Madrid fans seem happy to see the back of the Welshman.

A deal has finally been struck to get Bale out of Madrid and his destination is back to where he became one of the world’s mercurial midfielders. He heads to Spurs, his initial springboard, in a match-up that has received mixed reactions.

Bale at Spurs sounds box office. On paper, it should be brilliant. There is however one issue: time waits for no one. 

If Tottenham are getting the Gareth Bale who got fans off their seats, had a creative flair like no other, and terrorized Premier League defences for fun, then we’re onto a winner.

If, on the other hand, Tottenham are getting a 31-year old whose love for the game has diminished and who would rather be on the golf course, then we’re stuck in the rough.

It’s hard to answer what type of player Bale is these days. It’s been so long since he’s played consistently that we simply don’t know. He started just one game of the 12 Madrid played after the season restart and played only a handful before that. He’s never really been a part of the Real Madrid team, despite checking out with no fewer than 16 major trophies. Oh, and his goal-scoring return? 105 goals in 251 appearances, notching 61 assists en route too. He has been brilliant when called on.

Physically, he’s still in top shape, he’s still world-class. His talent is there but he hasn’t had a clear run of games to express himself. Zidane’s relationship with his player has left the football world stunned. There’s so much of the unknown there and you really hope that a sprinkle of love is all Bale needs.

Wales, Golf, Madrid

It is clear that Zidane and Bale could have both done more and achieved even greater things. Bale constantly looked disengaged and was an outsider at Madrid. Real Madrid are a clicky type of club and his apparent lack of effort in learning Spanish is often mentioned. It often looked awkward, but there is an element of the unknown. His napping on the subs bench, passing over the club banner during the team photo and not celebrating their latest Liga triumph spoke volumes. 

His priorities in Spain shifted and he did not look like he had the character, or desire, to try to break into Zidane’s plans. Were his hands tied? As far as he was concerned, he had no issues cashing his giant paycheck at the end of each week, so sitting back and relaxing was the easy and appealing option. Maybe the pair just didn’t respect each other enough to work on their relationship. Zidane never said much to Bale, not even after he single-handedly won Real Madrid the 2018 Champions League Final against Liverpool. Even on that glorious evening, Bale’s celebration was far too subdued and left us all, once more, studying his body language.

It’s all too tough to solve, but will Bale’s priorities change in the Premier League, or will Spurs not manage to reignite his fuse?

Does Jose have the key?

On top of it all, there’s the Jose Mourinho factor. If Zidane couldn’t get the best out of Bale (and yes, it’s odd to type that Bale wasn’t his best despite his massive contribution to his club), can Mourinho? Is the Jose Mourinho of 2020 the type of manager who can still bring the best out of elite athletes? Mourinho is another of those characters the sport simply isn’t getting enough from. Bale barely looks like the self-motivated athlete the team needs him to be, and Mourinho is more of a tactician than a motivator. This will be a truly interesting soap opera in North London, with more appeal than the All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur series currently being aired on Amazon.

It is tragic that no one in Spain will be sad to see him go. He won’t leave a good impression, he won’t merit any form of ovation, despite his obvious talent and contribution. This was no flop signing. This was no sad case of an injury-riddled career. This is just a case of lack of playing time. His goalscoring return at Madrid was brilliant, but yet no one will miss him in Spain.

His botched transfer to China last season did not help matters, but at last, Bale is out of Madrid and hopefully back to where he belongs: The Premier League! 

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We promise the headline is not clickbait. The reigning champions have a good squad but their first game is a real banana skin. Real Sociedad are a mini-nemesis to Los Blancos, and Madrid hate playing there. It was Sociedad that eliminated them from the Copa del Rey last season, and this tasty encounter on Game Week 2 of La Liga already has us on the edge of our seats.

Real Sociedad to win with odds of 4.5

End to end action

Real Sociedad infuriated Madrid last season in the Copa del Rey, running out 3-4 winners at the Bernabeu. In the league, both home and away, Real Madrid triumphed, but neither victory was a walk in the park. Sociedad have a habit of getting under their skin, and they simply love playing at home. 14 goals were shared over three games last season, so anything can happen in Anoeta. It’s going to be end-to-end action and we’re predicting a lot of goals here.

Enjoy over 2.5 goals with odds of 1.71

Getafe v Osasuna: The duel of anti football.

And we’re not kidding around here. Last year, both coaches accused each other of playing less football than Jonathan Woodgate when he signed for Real Madrid. It is difficult to guess who’ll win the match, but it’s clear that if you want to see goals, change channels.

Correct score 0-0: 6.75

Cádiz for their first victory

As we had warned in last week’s Casumo betting preview, Cadiz did lose their first game, and so they did (you’re welcome!). This week they face Huesca. Huesca beat Cadiz to the Segunda Division title last season but the Andalusians gave us much better football. We expect a cagey game, with few chances created.

It’s under 1.5 for this one at 2.55

Celta’s chance of beating the leaders

Valencia surprised us all in week 1 and now sit on top of the La Liga pile. Celta will provide stiffer opposition this time and Iago Aspas can be the difference between the sides. Their captain and main talisman often channels his inner Pele when he plays in Balaídos and he’s hungry to open his La Liga account. 

Celta wins this one: 2.28

Iago Aspas scores at least two goals at 10.00

A local Acca

We know that playing without fans has almost eliminated the home advantage, but we have spotted three games where the home team can triumph. Trying your luck in our weekend Acca could land you a big win, and send you to your office on Monday smiling. Yes, a smile on a Monday morning is possible!

Get the home team to win in these three games with combined odds of 6.12:

• Villarreal v Eibar 
• Granada v Alavés
• Betis v Valladolid

It’s the sort of match you might feel is being played too close to the start. The neutrals, however, are licking their lips, particularly after the blistering start both teams made.

Much has been said about Chelsea’s summer spending, which soared to well over £220 million. Klopp was critical of the spree, citing that “some clubs don’t need to worry about the future, because they are owned by countries, owned by oligarchs.” 

An amused Lampard said he’d rather not do the maths, following similar spending patterns at Liverpool the previous season. The key difference between then and now is the pandemic, and the fact that Chelsea’s transfer ban has almost permitted them to spend big, off the back of zero net spend. 

The hype for this match is real and started before a ball was kicked. It has the flair of a modern rivalry, and yes, Frank is almost correct… The maths is simple: Liverpool’s matchday squad against Leeds was worth £352m, while Chelsea’s was £309m against Brighton.

A treat awaits us on the pitch, as both teams were impressive on opening day. Mo Salah hit a hattrick against Leeds, while Chelsea punished Brighton 3-1.

More goals from Mo Salah? He’s priced at 9.00 to score at least two!

Goals galore

Salah’s display against Leeds was incredible. He’s sharp, has bulked up even more and a new trim gives him an even meaner look. He’s got the selfless Mane up with him and Firmino’s flair has no off button. Three goals and four chances created by the Egyptian King are the type of numbers that will worry Frank Lampard. 

While Chelsea now boast a new quartet of Pulisic, Havertz, Werner and Ziyech, they have failed to improve in the goalkeeping department and stuck with Kepa. That position remains their Achilles heel, and goals are expected on Sunday. 

Get both teams to score at 1.50

A case for the defence

Liverpool’s 4-3 victory over Leeds was special. No one knows what to expect against a Leeds side which is so fluid tactically. They play toe-to-toe and man-mark in an obsessive way. They attack like a swarm of wasps, with a deadly sting. The fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk were rattled is a compliment to Leeds.

It’s also a ray of hope for other teams. Liverpool’s defenders are human after all and the element of the unknown at Chelsea can be a factor too. Werner looks sharp already, with 11.53km covered against Brighton. Only N’Golo Kante outran him, and he popped up everywhere. His post-match comments left a chuckle “I played against three massive defenders, you don’t have that in Germany!”. A tasty duel against Big Virgil is going to be popcorn. 

We’ve got Werner to score during the first half at 4.30

…Or a Liverpool win to nil at 4.20

This game has a wild feeling about it, and once both managers are done counting coins, it’s the 22 players that will keep us on the edge of our seats, hopefully scoring for fun.

Pick Liverpool to win at 2.17, a draw is priced at 3.70 while a home victory for Chelsea is at 3.20.

Note: all odds subject to change.

Yes, the start of the 2020/21 season is already here and you know this season will be extremely different from the last. We’ll have no crowds to start with, a September start and the shortest break between this season and the last. Preparations have been limited without the traditional summer break which can impact a team’s training schedule, fitness levels and overall unity. 

Due to the short gap between the seasons, you would expect last season’s end-of-season form to be a good indicator of who will start the season brightest.

Liverpool’s lost edge

Liverpool wowed us all last season, blowing any form of opposition away, securing their first Premier League title in the quickest time ever. They dazzled at the start but late losses to Manchester City (4-0) and Arsenal (2-1) showed chinks in the armor. The Community Shield did not showcase the true Liverpool, but the loss on penalties did reveal a loss of momentum.

On top of that, they face an eager and hungry Leeds United on the opening day. On paper Liverpool are huge favourites. They are the defending champions after all and are playing at home. However, with a draw priced at 6.10, punters might be tempted to give Leeds a chance of stealing the show.

Correct score: Liverpool 1-1 Leeds: 10.50*

Goal threats

Both teams possess plenty of firepower, so picking Both Teams to Score feels like a good option. Liverpool’s usual trio of Mane, Firmino and Salah can hardly ever be silenced. With Leeds averaging 1.67 goals per game in last season’s Championship, you feel there is a goal in them at Anfield. United splashed big cash on Rodrigo, who was signed for a club-record €29 million and big things are expected from Bielsa’s men. 

Both Teams to Score: 1.94*

Arsenal for the win

Arsenal have been doing everything right of late. After a superb end to the season with the FA Cup triumph and the Community Shield adding to Arteta’s shine. With a new deal in place for Aubamayang and a decent transfer window behind them, it’s hard to imagine them slipping in the season’s opening game, Saturday’s early kick-off at Fulham.

They have good momentum and all the news coming out of the club seems healthy and positive, with the Arteta effect in full swing.

Correct score: Fulham 0-2 Arsenal: 8.0*

The Doldrums

We hate seeing draws on opening day, but given the lack of preparation time, you tend to feel a cagey start might be on the cards for a host of clubs. These four fixtures could be good candidates for a draw:

• West Ham v Newcastle
• Sheffield United v Wolves
• Tottenham v Everton
• Crystal Palace v Southampton

You can group these in an accumulator, selecting four draws: 110.7*

Monday Night Football

Keeping an eye on the action on Monday night should be fun, as big spenders Chelsea travel to Brighton. Frank Lampard has hoovered up his transfer targets and is still eyeing one or two more additions. Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Maland Sarr and Thiago Silva have all joined together with the talented Kai Havertz.

They pack a strong punch going forward but look quite brittle at the back. 

Over 2.5 goals: 1.75*

Manchester United and Manchester City will not take part in the opening weekend, as their fixtures have been postponed due to their prolonged European campaigns. 

*Note: All odds subject to change