English Premier League football is back this weekend, as season 2025/26 kicks off on Saturday morning. Matchday 1 has some blockbuster fixtures with Aston Villa taking on Newcastle and Manchester United facing off against Arsenal.
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EPL 2025-26: Matchday 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Anfield, Saturday 16th August, 5:00am AEST
The defending champions kick the season off at home on Saturday morning against Bournemouth, looking to get their title defence off to a strong start. Bournemouth are coming off their equal best Premier League campaign, finishing ninth in season 2024/25. It could’ve been a higher finish for the Cherries, but they had a big form slump over the final three months of the season, with 3-4-6 record across their final thirteen games.
Liverpool produced a dominant campaign last season, ranking as the best attack in the league (86 goals) and the second best defence in the league (41 goals conceded). They were the best team in the league with also the best player in the league, as Mo Salah produced a historic season. Salah led the league in goals (29) and assists (18), becoming only the fifth player to lead both stats in a season, as well as equalling the record for most goal involvements in a season (47).
As expected, Liverpool have had the better of this matchup with a 13-1-2 record in the sixteen Premier League matchups between the two clubs. The Reds have managed to put up some big scores against the Cherries In the last five games between the two teams Liverpool have had four wins, by scorelines of 9-0, 3-1, 4-0, 3-0 and 2-0. Arne Slot’s side are primed for another big win against Bournemouth, to kick off their title defence.
Liverpool -1
$1.72 (1.5 Units)
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Villa Park, Saturday 16th August, 9:30pm AEST
The most entertaining game of Matchday 1 takes place on Saturday night as Aston Villa host Newcastle at Villa Park. These two clubs were battling for the final Champions League position last season, which ultimately went to Newcastle after Villa were beaten by Manchester United on the final day of the season. However it’s been a horror off season for Newcastle with their best player Alexander Isak attempting to move to Liverpool, and looks unlikely to play for the Magpies until they sell him. It hasn’t been a great transfer window for Newcastle with Anthony Elanga their biggest signing.
Isak’s absence will be massive, the Swede was the second highest goal scorer in the Premier League last season with 23 goals, accounting for nearly one third of Newcastle’s goals last season. Despite their slip up on Matchday 38, Aston Villa’s form in the last two months of last season was outstanding and should give Unai Emery plenty of confidence coming into this season. Villa won eight of their last ten games, in a period where they had an aggregate score 18-4, which included a 4-1 thumping of Newcastle.
Aston Villa were a formidable side at home last season, losing just one game at home. Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 18 games at Villa Park, and currently on a five game winning streak at home. On the other hand, Newcastle are winless in their last three away games, and struggled at the end of last season, losing their last two games. No Isak leaves a massive hole in the front half for the Magpies, who won’t have the attacking quality to challenge the better sides until they make some big signings.
Aston Villa to Win
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Old Trafford, Monday 18th August 1:30am AEST
The headline fixture of Matchday 1 in terms of big clubs takes place on Monday morning, as Arsenal travel north to take on Manchester United. Expectations are at an all time low for the Red Devils after their worst Premier League season, finishing in fifteenth place with only eleven wins. Ruben Amorim has a massive task ahead of him in his first full season as manager, with no excuses or room for error after going 6-6-13 after taking over from Erik ten Hag mid season.
Arsenal face a different pressure after finishing second in each of the last three seasons. Can they finally make the leap and break a 21 year title drought? After two remarkable seasons from Manchester City that prevented them from winning the title, the Gunners failed to capitalise on a down year from City. Mikel Arteta’s side once again imploded down the final stretch of the season, winning only three of their last eight games to allow Liverpool to cruise to the title.
Arsenal were the best defence in the Premier League last season, conceding just 34 goals last season. The Gunners were also strong in the front third, scoring the third most goals in the league (69), a balance that is going to give United a mountain of issues on Monday. Arsenal have dominated against Manchester United in recent seasons, winning four of their last five games against the Red Devils. It’s difficult to see United turning things around early in the season, and Arsenal will be desperate to make a statement early.
Arsenal to Win
$1.92 (2 Units)
