Premier League Matchweek 1 Preview

The 2025/26 Premier League champions open their new campaign on Saturday morning in what is a favourable first-up draw against Frank Lampard’s recently promoted Coventry side.

Arsenal, of course, come into this one as red-hot favourites, so the value does not really lie in the result market for me. The expectation for the Gunners is to win, and win often, because of their stout defence. I think they will be keen to prove they are a solid unit at the back in this opener by keeping a clean sheet in match week one.

Tips

Best: Both Teams To Score: No @ $1.50
Value: Draw/Arsenal FC @ $4.00
Anytime Goal Scorer: Kai Havertz $2.20

Another newly promoted side takes on a giant of European football, as Hull’s return to the top flight will see them host Michael Carrick’s Red Devils, with the former United star taking charge for the first time as a full-time manager.

It would be an understatement to say I was sceptical about Carrick becoming the full-time gaffer at the Theatre of Dreams, but that does not mean I am not intrigued. If I had to guess, it looks like this could be a low-scoring affair to start out both teams campaigns.

Tips

Best: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $2.20
Value: Manchester United 1-0 @ $8.00
Anytime Goal Scorer: Matheus Cunha $2.63

A battle of the Premier League middle class kicks off Sunday’s proceedings, as Everton host a new-look Crystal Palace side to open their season.

Palace have gone through major turnover in this transfer window, with their manager, Oliver Glasner, moving on and the pulse of their team, Maxence Lacroix, getting a move to London rivals Chelsea. It feels like all that turnover creates an opportunity for Everton to pounce, and I would expect their superior continuity to come to the fore in the result.

Tips

Best: Everton or Draw @ $1.33
Value: Everton To Win @ $2.15
Anytime Goal Scorer: Iliman Ndiaye $4.33

After one season in the second tier of English football, the Tractor Boys have bounced straight back into the Prem and honestly could not have asked for a better opening fixture.

Sunderland were last season’s darlings of the competition and managed to secure a European football berth on the final day. However, with some of the movement in and out of the club this year, things might be slightly different, and it feels like Ipswich at home could be a tough way to start proceedings for the Black Cats.

Tips

Best: Under 2.5 Total Goals @ $1.85
Value: Draw @ $3.35
Anytime Goal Scorer: Brian Brobbey $3.30

Forest were the beneficiaries of Oliver Glasner and Palace parting ways, as last season’s debacle of having four permanent managers resulted in them landing one of the Premier League’s most respected gaffers.

Heading into this one against Leeds, it feels like their squad is returning more key names than many would have expected, and I would say they will be keen to get their new era underway with a good result at the City Ground.

Tips

Best: Nottingham Forest To Win @ $2.30
Value: Draw/Nottingham Forest @ $5.50
Anytime Goal Scorer: Morgan Gibbs-White $3.20

The Bees will host Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham to start the season and are doing so as favourites with the bookmakers.

Now, I am not sure I 100% agree with that sentiment. I understand Spurs have been a shell of the club they used to be over the past 24 months, but it feels like they have a new direction under a really good manager who has also been backed by the ownership in the transfer market. This opening 90 minutes is a real opportunity for Spurs to right a few wrongs, and I think they will take that chance with both hands.

Tips

Best: Tottenham Hotspur or Draw @ $1.53
Value: Tottenham Hotspur To Win @ $2.70
Anytime Goal Scorer: Richarlison $2.70

Heading to the south coast, Brighton will take on Aston Villa at the Amex in what, based on the last couple of seasons, should be a pretty good opening-weekend showdown.

Brighton have been doing some shrewd business in the transfer market, once again stacking their squad with young talent. Villa, meanwhile, have been on the other end of the food chain, getting picked apart by “bigger clubs”, with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa heading to some of London’s biggest sides. It now feels like they are missing their heart and soul, which suits Brighton perfectly as they look to get their season underway on the right foot.

Tips

Best: Over 2.5 Total Goals @ $1.67
Value: Brighton & Hove Albion To Win @ $2.25
Anytime Goal Scorer: Georginio Rutter$3.60

City were embarrassed by Arsenal in the Community Shield, and to say they have lost some of their biggest assets is likely a huge understatement. As we all know, the best manager in the world, Pep Guardiola, has left the Etihad and been replaced by Enzo Maresca. In the past few days, City have also lost their best player, Rodri, who is heading to Camp Nou.

Those are two massive holes that will need to be filled, and I am personally not sold on City being able to do so. Regardless, they should have enough to start their season with a decent performance against Bournemouth, who themselves have lost key players to the transfer market and injury.

Tips

Best: Both Teams To Score: No @ $2.30
Value: Jeremy Doku 2+ Shots On Target @ $3.35
Anytime Goal Scorer: Antoine Semenyo $2.50

A familiar rivalry kicks off both Newcastle and Liverpool’s seasons at the infamous St James’ Park. Both sides are entering the new season with new managers and plenty of new names in their squads.

For Newcastle fans, there seems to be a sense of dread heading into the coming season, with many of their best players being picked off and the club seemingly struggling to replace those who have left. Liverpool, on the other hand, have a fresh perspective with Andoni Iraola at the helm, and they will be expected to adopt a style of play that aligns with what we knew Liverpool to be under Jürgen Klopp.

Tips

Best: Liverpool To Win @ $1.91
Value: Liverpool/Liverpool @ $2.80
Anytime Goal Scorer: Alexander Isak @ $2.25

The round closes out with a stone’s-throw derby, as Fulham host their rivals Chelsea on Tuesday morning.

Both sides come into the new season with new gaffers, and, strangely enough, both managers were Real Madrid gaffers last campaign. Chelsea have their first “manager” since José Mourinho, with the signing of Xabi Alonso to take the club forward, whereas Fulham appointed Álvaro Arbeloa after Marco Silva left the club.

Like some of the other big clubs in the Prem, it feels like Chelsea have a fresh start under Alonso, and I would expect them to try to put Fulham to the sword from the jump.

Tips

Best: Chelsea To Win @ $1.91
Value: Chelsea 2-1 @ $9.50
Anytime Goal Scorer: Joao Pedro @ $2.30