The English Premier League season begins on Saturday morning with 20 clubs full of hope heading into a massive campaign. Defending champions Arsenal kick off the season against Coventry, while Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle headlines Matchday 1. We take you through our best bets for some of the key week 1 fixtures below!
EPL 2026-27: Matchday 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Arsenal vs Coventry City
Emirates Stadium, Saturday 22nd August, 5:00am AEST
Arsenal open their title defence at home against newly promoted Coventry City, in the opening game of the Premier League season. Coventry earned their promotion to the top flight after a dominant campaign in the Championship last season, sitting 11 points clear at the top of the table. It’s the first time the Sky Blues have been in the Premier League since 2001 and they face a massive challenge in their first fixture back in the top flight. The Gunners are coming off a historic season where they ended a 22 year drought, winning the league for the first time since 2004.
Coventry had an excellent campaign in the Championship scoring a league best 97 and conceded a league fewest 45 goals - a dominant season by all metrics. This campaign the goal will simply be to survive and although they’ve made plenty of signings, the step up to Premier League football is always a massive challenge. Arsenal were the number one ranked defence and the number 2 ranked attacking team in the Premier League, in what was one of the most impressive title wins in a long time.
The Gunners are red hot favourites to win the league this season and rightfully so, as they made light work of teams down the bottom of the table. Against the bottom three sides in the league last season the Gunners had a 5-1-0 record and scored 2+ goals in five of the six games. The Emirates was a fortress last season, Arsenal had the best home record in the Premier League at 15-2-2 with a goal difference of +30. This will be a rude awakening for Coventry upon their return to the Premier League.
Arsenal -2
$2.40 (1.5 Units)
Brighton vs Aston Villa
American Express Stadium, Sunday 23rd August, 11:00pm AEST
One of the most interesting games of the weekend takes place in the south as Brighton host Aston Villa. Aston Villa are coming off a fourth placed finish last season, earning a return to the Champions League. ‘25/’26 was an up and down campaign for Brighton, who snuck into Europe finishing in eighth place, which saw them qualify for the conference league. Villa have had a difficult off season, losing Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemens, Lucas Digne, Donyell Malen and Lewis Dobbin which has left a big hole in their side.
Brighton have made some big signings as they look to push towards the top six, picking up Luka Vuskovic, Zadok Yohanna, Pascal Struijk and Costinha. The signings of Vuskovic, Struijk and Costinha will boost a Brighton defence that was the third best in the league last season, conceding just 46 goals. Brighton were a middle of the league side when it came to their attacking game last year, so they will need a lift from their front half players if they are to contend for Europa or Champions League positions this season.
Given that Aston Villa have lost three of their best players, it’s tough to see Unai Emery’s side hitting the ground running this season. Villa have proven to be a quality side over the past few years, however it’s a massive task for them given the lack of continuity in their side. Brighton’s defence is amongst the best in the league and should be able to deny an Aston Villa side that doesn’t possess the midfield threats that they have in previous seasons.
Brighton to Win
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Newcastle vs Liverpool
St James’ Park, Monday 24st August, 1:30am AEST
The headline fixture of Matchday 1 sees Newcastle hosting Liverpool at St James’ Park. It’s been a tumultuous off season for both seasons, Newcastle lost manager Eddie Howe, captain Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Kieran Trippier and Matt Target. Liverpool lost manager Arne Slot, their best player Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson. Both clubs will be looking to put behind disappointing campaigns last season, and get off to a flying start in season 2026/27.
The Reds attack has been able to expose Newcastle’s defence time and time again when they have faced off. Liverpool have scored 16 goals in their last five games against Newcastle and will be looking to work over what will be a vulnerable Newcastle defence. Another major concern for Newcastle was their inability to win consistently at home last season, with the Magpies having a 10-2-7 record at St James’ Park last year, the 11th ranked home record in the Premier League.
There’s a lot more optimism around Liverpool than Newcastle coming into this season, and their head to head record will cause even more concern for Newcastle fans. Liverpool are unbeaten from their last 19 league games against Newcastle, with a 14-5-0 record across that timespan. The Reds have been unbelievable on the opening matchday of the season, unbeaten on Matchday 1 since 2013. Liverpool will continue their dominance over Newcastle with a comfortable win on the road.
Liverpool to Win
$1.91 (2 Units)
