Premier League Gameweek 1 Predictions & Betting Tips: Every Match Previewed
Fri 21 Aug - Mon 24 Aug ⚽️
The 2026/27 Premier League season opens across four days, from Arsenal’s Friday night curtain-raiser through to Monday’s late kick-off. Here’s our tip for every match in Gameweek 1, plus a 5-leg accumulator spanning the round.
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. Always check current prices with your bookmaker.
Matchweek 1 Fri 21 Aug – Mon 24 Aug
| Match | Date & Time (UK) | 1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal v Coventry | Fri 21/08, 20:00 | 2/11 | 13/2 | 16/1 |
| Hull City v Man Utd | Sat 22/08, 12:30 | 6/1 | 18/5 | 7/15 |
| Everton v Crystal Palace | Sat 22/08, 15:00 | 23/20 | 5/2 | 5/2 |
| Ipswich Town v Sunderland | Sat 22/08, 15:00 | 7/4 | 12/5 | 8/5 |
| Nottingham Forest v Leeds | Sat 22/08, 15:00 | 5/4 | 5/2 | 9/4 |
| Brentford v Tottenham | Sat 22/08, 17:30 | 7/5 | 11/4 | 15/8 |
| Brighton v Aston Villa | Sun 23/08, 14:00 | 13/10 | 11/4 | 2/1 |
| Man City v Bournemouth | Sun 23/08, 14:00 | 9/20 | 4/1 | 26/5 |
| Newcastle v Liverpool | Sun 23/08, 16:30 | 23/10 | 29/10 | 23/20 |
| Fulham v Chelsea | Mon 24/08, 20:00 | 21/10 | 11/4 | 5/4 |
This Week’s Tips at a Glance
| Match | Date & Time | Main Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal v Coventry | Fri 21 Aug, 20:00 | Arsenal to win | 17/100 |
| Hull City v Man Utd | Sat 22 Aug, 12:30 | Man Utd to win | 11/25 |
| Everton v Crystal Palace | Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | Everton to win | 11/10 |
| Ipswich Town v Sunderland | Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | Sunderland to win | 3/2 |
| Nottingham Forest v Leeds | Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | Both teams to score | 18/25 |
| Brentford v Tottenham | Sat 22 Aug, 17:30 | Brentford to win | 29/20 |
| Brighton v Aston Villa | Sun 23 Aug, 14:00 | Brighton to win | 27/20 |
| Man City v Bournemouth | Sun 23 Aug, 14:00 | Man City to win | 11/25 |
| Newcastle v Liverpool | Sun 23 Aug, 16:30 | Liverpool to win | 23/20 |
| Fulham v Chelsea | Mon 24 Aug, 20:00 | Chelsea to win | 11/10 |
Gameweek 1 Accumulator
- Arsenal to win @ 17/100
- Manchester United to win @ 11/25
- Manchester City to win @ 11/25
- Both teams to score in Newcastle vs Liverpool @ 4/9
- Chelsea Draw No Bet @ 7/10
Combined odds: approx 5/1 (5.96 decimal). A £10 stake would return £59.57.
Note: the Chelsea Draw No Bet price is calculated from the match’s 1X2 odds rather than taken directly from a bookmaker’s DNB market, since that’s a derived price. Check it against your bookmaker’s own DNB line before backing this exact acca.
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Arsenal v Coventry
Fri 21 Aug, 20:00 | Emirates Stadium
Match Probability: Arsenal 82% | Draw 12% | Coventry 6%
| Arsenal v Coventry | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Arsenal to win | 17/100 | 5/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 13/25 | 4/5 |
| Bet Builder | Arsenal to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~4/5 | 3/5 |
| Correct Score | Arsenal 3-0 Coventry | – | 2/5 |
Arsenal go into the new season as title favourites, and a home opener against a newly-promoted side is about as gentle a start as the fixture list could offer. The market also leans firmly toward goals here, which fits a scenario where a strong side breaks down organised but limited opposition in the second half rather than grinding out a single-goal win.
Hull City v Man Utd
Sat 22 Aug, 12:30 | MKM Stadium
Match Probability: Hull City 13% | Draw 21% | Man Utd 66%
| Hull City v Man Utd | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Man Utd to win | 11/25 | 4/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 18/25 | 3/5 |
| Bet Builder | Man Utd to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~3/2 | 3/5 |
| Correct Score | Hull City 1-3 Man Utd | – | 2/5 |
United carry real momentum into this one after a strong finish to last season, and Hull face the toughest possible reintroduction to the Premier League against a side many expect to be pushing for a top-four finish. The Over 2.5 lean suggests the market doesn’t expect United to simply see this one out at 1-0.
Everton v Crystal Palace
Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | Goodison Park
Match Probability: Everton 44% | Draw 27% | Crystal Palace 29%
| Everton v Crystal Palace | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Everton to win | 11/10 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Both teams to score | 13/20 | 3/5 |
| Bet Builder | Everton to win & BTTS Yes | ~5/2 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace | – | 2/5 |
This is closer than the Arsenal or City fixtures elsewhere in this round, but the home platform tips it Everton’s way. Palace have enough in the final third to trouble any defence, and with both teams to score also favoured by the market, an open, end-to-end game looks the likely shape of this one.
Ipswich Town v Sunderland
Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | Portman Road
Match Probability: Ipswich Town 35% | Draw 27% | Sunderland 38%
| Ipswich Town v Sunderland | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Sunderland to win | 3/2 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Under 2.5 goals | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Bet Builder | Sunderland to win & Under 2.5 goals | ~7/2 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | Ipswich 1-2 Sunderland | – | 2/5 |
Ipswich are one of three sides making the step up from the Championship this season, and Sunderland arrive as an established top-flight outfit with more spine through the team. The market leans toward a tighter, lower-scoring contest here rather than the free-scoring shape of some of this round’s other fixtures.
Nottingham Forest v Leeds
Sat 22 Aug, 15:00 | The City Ground
Match Probability: Nottingham Forest 44% | Draw 27% | Leeds 29%
| Nottingham Forest v Leeds | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Both teams to score | 18/25 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Draw | 5/2 | 2/5 |
| Bet Builder | Forest to win & BTTS Yes | ~11/4 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | 1-1 | – | 2/5 |
This is the most evenly-priced match of the round on the Over/Under market, where the two lines sit at identical odds: a clear sign the market finds this one hard to call outright. Rather than force a winner pick on a genuine toss-up, both teams to score gives the clearest signal, with the draw standing out as a fair alternative angle given how tight the 1X2 market is.
Brentford v Tottenham
Sat 22 Aug, 17:30 | Gtech Community Stadium
Match Probability: Brentford 39% | Draw 26% | Tottenham 35%
| Brentford v Tottenham | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Brentford to win | 29/20 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Bet Builder | Brentford to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~3/1 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | Brentford 2-1 Tottenham | – | 2/5 |
Home advantage nudges this one Brentford’s way on the numbers, despite Tottenham’s bigger reputation. It’s tight enough that either side winning would be no shock, but the market gives a slight edge to the home side, with goals at both ends the more likely path to that result.
Brighton v Aston Villa
Sun 23 Aug, 14:00 | Falmer Stadium
Match Probability: Brighton 40% | Draw 26% | Aston Villa 34%
| Brighton v Aston Villa | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Brighton to win | 27/20 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 13/25 | 4/5 |
| Bet Builder | Brighton to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~13/5 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | Brighton 2-1 Aston Villa | – | 2/5 |
Another match where home advantage tips the balance despite Villa’s pedigree. Brighton have made a habit of being awkward opposition at home in recent seasons, and the market has them shaded as favourites here, with goals expected at a healthy rate regardless of who comes out on top.
Man City v Bournemouth
Sun 23 Aug, 14:00 | Etihad Stadium
Match Probability: Man City 66% | Draw 19% | Bournemouth 15%
| Man City v Bournemouth | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Man City to win | 11/25 | 4/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 9/25 | 5/5 |
| Bet Builder | Man City to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~24/25 | 3/5 |
| Correct Score | Man City 3-0 Bournemouth | – | 2/5 |
City are second favourites for the title behind Arsenal, and a home fixture against mid-table opposition is exactly the kind of match they’re expected to win comfortably. The Over 2.5 line is even more strongly favoured here than the match-winner market itself, making this round’s clearest goals-based signal.
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Newcastle v Liverpool
Sun 23 Aug, 16:30 | St James’ Park
Match Probability: Newcastle 33% | Draw 24% | Liverpool 43%
| Newcastle v Liverpool | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Liverpool to win | 23/20 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 1/2 | 4/5 |
| Bet Builder | Liverpool to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~9/4 | 3/5 |
| Correct Score | Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool | – | 2/5 |
Both clubs go into the season opener under new management: Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first competitive Liverpool game, while Newcastle turn to Matthias Jaissle following Eddie Howe’s summer departure, with the Magpies also losing Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon this window. The market makes Liverpool moderate favourites rather than overwhelming ones, and both the Over 2.5 goals and BTTS markets point toward an open game at St James’ Park rather than a cagey opener between two sides still finding their shape under new coaches.
Fulham v Chelsea
Mon 24 Aug, 20:00 | Craven Cottage
Match Probability: Fulham 30% | Draw 26% | Chelsea 44%
| Fulham v Chelsea | Tip | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Tip | Chelsea to win | 11/10 | 3/5 |
| Value Tip | Over 2.5 goals | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Bet Builder | Chelsea to win & Over 2.5 goals | ~12/5 | 2/5 |
| Correct Score | Fulham 1-2 Chelsea | – | 2/5 |
The Monday night closer sees Chelsea as narrow favourites away from home. Fulham are capable of frustrating bigger sides at Craven Cottage, so this isn’t overwhelming, but the market gives the visitors the edge to open their season with three points, with goals likely at both ends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Premier League bets for Gameweek 1?
Arsenal’s home opener against Coventry is the shortest price of the round at 17/100. For value, Man City’s Over 2.5 goals against Bournemouth at 9/25 is the single strongest goals signal, and both teams to score at 18/25 in Forest vs Leeds is our pick for the round’s most even match.
Is there a Gameweek 1 accumulator worth backing?
Our 5-leg acca combines Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City to win, both teams to score in Newcastle vs Liverpool, and Chelsea on Draw No Bet, for combined odds of approximately 24/5.
Which Gameweek 1 match has the closest odds?
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds is the most evenly-matched fixture on paper, with identical Over/Under 2.5 pricing reflecting how hard the market finds this one to separate.
When do all the Gameweek 1 matches kick off?
The round runs from Friday 21 August through Monday 24 August, opening with Arsenal vs Coventry at 20:00 and closing with Fulham vs Chelsea at 20:00 on the Monday.
What’s the prediction for Newcastle vs Liverpool?
Liverpool are moderate favourites at 23/20 in a season opener that sees both clubs under new management, with the goals markets pointing toward an open game at St James’ Park rather than a cagey one.
For more Premier League coverage, visit our betting tips hub. New to football betting? Read our guide to sports betting in the UK.
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