The Premier League starts on Friday folks - and I’m bang-in-form.

We smashed it with Mexican golfer Abraham Ancer in the FedEx St Jude Invitational at the weekend PLUS my greyhound Smoking Bomber is off and running at Hove. He bolted in last week and looks a right prospect. Well done Knighty!

But the bread and butter of this Easyodds column - the Premier League - is back and Uncle Vinnie is all over it Kante-esque! And it all starts on Friday with new boys Brentford welcoming Arsenal at their new stadium - it will be some night.

The west Londoners should do well judged on their pre-season and I reckon will be more than a match for the Gunners. I’m not sure where Arteta is right now, if I’m being honest, but Ben White is a massive signing for them and helps their defence big-time.

And I’m going for another tight affair on Saturday lunchtime with Man Utd at home to Leeds - and my boys will not be easily beaten away from home. Bielsa is a legend already in my book and I believe Leeds can really push on this season.

Losing Rashford to injury for a few months is a blow for United, but Ole has done good business in the transfer market and Jadon Sancho could be one of the stars of the season. Getting the ultra-solid Varane from Real Madrid was also a coup. A draw for me.

Short-shot merchants should be eyeing up wins for Chelsea, Everton, Leicester and Liverpool, while Sunday’s humdinger of a match - on paper at least - should see Man City have too much firepower for Spurs.

As a kid I loved Spurs, but like Arsenal, I’m not sure where they’re at. Spurs without Kane worries me until they replace like for like - and that’s almost impossible. Both north London teams have fantastic stadiums - but something's definitely missing at the moment.

I’m sure they can turn it around quickly and give their fans something to cheer about, but it could be a difficult few weeks - especially down at the Lane.

But who are you backing to lift the trophy this year? Man City look to be the strong favourites yet again and if they get Kane – well it’s game over really. But I can see Chelsea pushing Pep and co this year, especially with the imminent arrival of Lukaku. If anyone knows the back of the net, it’s Big Ron.

So back to this golf and we go again - playing it up!

Ancer seeing off Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama on the second playoff hole was superb and he certainly deserved it after a series of close calls and some cracking efforts this year.

He’s having a week off from the PGA Tour this week, but for us it’s eyes down for the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina. They play at the Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro - and, yes, it was originally called the Greater Greensboro Open.

It’s great that Robert MacIntyre has got an invitation and he’s definitely in Padraig Harrington’s plans for the Ryder Cup along with so many of the Europeans playing well in the States - Rahm, Casey, Hatton. Fitzpatrick and Poulter.

There’s also Rose, Fleetwood and McIlroy - wow he’s got some choices to make!

Anyway, back to the Wyndham and Webb Simpson is right up there in the betting after some near-misses in this same tournament in recent years. But there’s value to be had elsewhere so get set for Vinnie’s Three Off The Tee.

First we’re going with Seamus Power, a recent winner on the tour in the Barbasol Championship and who’s played well in this tournament before. The Irishman seems in great nick just now so can go well.

I’m also going with Matthew Wolff, who could finish the season strongly, plus at a price Rickie Fowler. He’s got all the talent in the world and played well at Royal St George’s and may, just maybe, he’s not far away from a rare win.

Closer to home, if not for me at the moment (see below!), is the Cazoo Classic at the London Club in Kent. This is effectively the English Open so it’s great to see it back on the European Tour after something like a 20-year absence.

Vinnie’s Three Off The Tee here are home favourite Andy Sullivan, big-hitting Wilco Nienaber plus Rasmus Hojgaard. Rasmus is a real favourite of ours and, while he’s not been at his very best lately, remains a top, top talent.

DON’T forget to book those cinema seats for Rise of the Foot Soldiers: Origins which hits the screens on September 3. 

The feedback from the trailers has been top-notch. I’ve never known a series to have a following like this one - and you can say the same about Law And Order: Organized Crime. Because I’ve just signed up for Season 2 of the biggest show of its kind stateside. Get in!

I’m playing Albi Briscu, an Eastern European gangster. It’s a great role - and I’ve got Albi’s accent down to a tee.

It means I’m filming in New York with a great team of people for the foreseeable - but they’ve got all the matches on so I’m keeping an eye on you lot!

Have a great week,

Vinnie

Vinnie’s best bets

Premier League

Friday

Brentford v Arsenal DRAW

Saturday

Manchester United v Leeds United DRAW

Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion BRIGHTON WIN

Chelsea v Crystal Palace CHELSEA WIN

Everton v Southampton EVERTON WIN

Leicester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers LEICESTER WIN

Watford v Aston Villa Draw

Norwich v Liverpool LIVERPOOL WIN

Sunday

Newcastle United v West Ham United WEST HAM WIN

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City MAN CITY WIN

Golf

Wyndham Championship 

Seamus Power
Matthew Wolff
Rickie Fowler

Cazoo Classic

Andy Sullivan
Wilco Nienaber
Rasmus Hojgaard