The Premier League is set to kickoff for the 2025/2026 season on Friday August 15, 2025 when AFC Bournemouth head to Anfield to face defending champions Liverpool.
Here are my best bets and picks for the Premier League’s Matchday 1.
Contents:
- Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United: Aston Villa win
- Wolves vs. Manchester City: Manchester City -1.0
- Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Chelsea win
- Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Over 2.5 goals
- Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Arsenal win
Aston Villa vs Newcastle: Aston Villa Win
Odds:
- American: +120
- Decimal: 2.20
- Fractional: 6/5
Newcastle United travel to Villa Park in Birmingham to kick off their Premier League campaign. In an ironic twist, Aston Villa have just confirmed the departure of Jacob Ramsey; his destination is none other than this weekend’s visitors.
The Magpies have been making headlines all summer, largely due to the unresolved transfer saga surrounding star striker Alexander Isak. Currently refusing to train or play in an effort to force a move to defending champions Liverpool, Isak’s absence has left a glaring hole in Newcastle’s attack.
While Eddie Howe’s side have been dealing with distractions and a winless preseason, Aston Villa enter the opener on the back of a strong 2024/25 campaign and a steady set of summer friendlies.
With Unai Emery’s men settled, confident, and playing at home, I’m backing Villa to take care of business against a Newcastle side searching for answers and wondering where the goals will come from without their (former) talisman.
Wolves vs. Manchester City: Manchester City -1.0
Odds:
- American: -114
- Decimal: 1.875
- Fractional: 7/8
The summer window has been a busy one for Manchester City, with speculation and rumours continuing to swirl around the Sky Blues. Just this week, Jack Grealish agreed to join Everton on a season-long loan. Over the course of the summer, Pep Guardiola’s side have seen Kevin De Bruyne depart and Kyle Walker make a permanent move to Premier League newcomers Burnley after spending last season on loan at AC Milan.
City have also been active in the market, securing several key signings – with more expected to follow. Rayan Cherki arrived from Lyon, Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves, and James Trafford, a City academy graduate, rejoined from Burnley.
Crucially for City, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for the first three Premier League matches due to injury, meaning he will miss the clash with Wolves. Mateo Kovačić is also sidelined in midfield and is not expected back before the international break.
With Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United, Wolves’ starting front three is expected to feature Jørgen Strand Larsen, supported by newcomers Fer López and Jhon Arias. Manager Vítor Pereira is likely to stick with his preferred 3-4-3 setup.
Manchester City head into the Premier League opener having played just one preseason friendly, against Palermo. Their summer also included a run in the FIFA Club World Cup, where Pep Guardiola tested several of his new signings.
Wolves arrive with a far less convincing preseason behind them. Wolves went winless in their preseason fixtures. They drew with EFL Championship side Stoke City, lost to Ligue 1 club RC Lens, and fell to La Liga’s Girona and Celta Vigo.
Even with City’s injury-stricken midfield, it’s hard to see Wolves troubling them too much. I expect Pep’s side to take care of business in comfortable fashion.
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Chelsea Win
Odds:
- American: -175
- Decimal: 1.57
- Fractional: 57/100
Crystal Palace head into Matchday 1 riding high after their FA Community Shield victory over Liverpool at Wembley. Confidence will be in no short supply, but with celebrations still fresh, there’s a chance the Eagles could be a little bit flat when the real grind of the league begins.
Chelsea begin the 2025/26 season as reigning FIFA Club World Cup champions, fresh from a perfect preseason that included wins over Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan. True to form, the Blues were busy in the transfer market, adding key signings such as Liam Delap, João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato.
With new recruits ready to make their Premier League debuts in front of the home crowd, Chelsea look well-placed to start strong. Against a Palace side that may still be coming down from their Wembley high, I’m backing the Blues to open their campaign with a win in West London.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds:
- American: -125
- Decimal: 1.80
- Fractional: 4/5
Both Manchester United and Arsenal both enter into the 2025/2026 Premier League season with upgraded firepower. Arsenal finally got their striker in Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP and also added Noni Madueke from Chelsea for further depth on the wings. Manchester United made quite the bold statement of their own over the course of the summer transfer window by bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Last season’s league meetings, plus their FA Cup clash, each ended with exactly two goals. However, the combined xG across those three games averaged 2.98, suggesting more goals were on the table.
With each side adding important players to their attack, and both sides entering into the season with fire under their feet to come out and prove their intent this season, I see this one going over the 2.5 goal total set by the bookies.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Arsenal Win
Odds:
- American: -105
- Decimal: 1.95
- Fractional: 9/10
We all know the quality that Arsenal have in their squad, and with the additions of Gyökeres and Martín Zubimendi, I think that this Arsenal side will be very difficult to beat.
United’s new-look front line is undeniably dangerous, but their summer business left the rest of the squad largely untouched. André Onana remains a question mark in goal, the back line looks vulnerable, and the midfield, led by Bruno Fernandes, still lacks balance and quality around him.
I expect Arsenal to control the middle of the park, generate consistent chances, and punish United’s defensive gaps. My call: Arsenal start their campaign with a win, edging it 2–1 while the Red Devils finish off a chance on the counter-attack.
