Premier League Gameweek 1 Predictions: Arsenal Backed for Opening Win
The Premier League is back! Ten months of excitement, thrills and spills (and no doubt plenty of misery and frustration) are about to get underway! The fixtures for the opening weekend appear to have been kind to the big guns, with the champions kicking us off on Friday night. Here, we take a look at the games and offer up our predictions.
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Friday, August 21
Arsenal v Coventry (8pm)
Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, and they are the overwhelming favourites to go back-to-back. That status was underlined by their 3-0 dismantling of Manchester City in the Community Shield. An already formidable squad has been bolstered by Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, providing Mikel Arteta with even greater options. Coventry would love to have such riches, and this is a nightmare start for Frank Lampard’s newly-promoted team. They have plenty to look forward to, but this is one game they can write off.
Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 Coventry
Saturday, August 22
Hull v Manchester United (12.30pm)
Hull gained promotion via the play-offs, holding their nerve while the Spygate scandal erupted around them, and this is a fantastic reward first up. It threatens to be a long season for the Tigers, who have signed several players new to the Premier League, but they have the opportunity to catch Manchester United before they hit their stride. The visitors will hope to repeat their third-placed finish of last season and ought to get off to a winning start here.
Prediction: Hull 1-2 Manchester United
Everton v Crystal Palace (3pm)
The Pierre Sage era at Crystal Palace kicks off on Merseyside. Sage comes in following an outstanding season at Lens, but has big shoes to fill following Oliver Glasner’s departure. The Frenchman is a relative unknown and could do with a good start to silence the doubters. That won’t be easy against an Everton side that is the mirror image of their manager, David Moyes: dour but effective.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Ipswich v Sunderland (3pm)
Ipswich have spent the summer trying to replicate what Sunderland did 12 months ago by recruiting heavily to make a fist of life in the top flight. It will take time for the new boys to gel under Gary O’Neil, but the 43-year-old has already proved he is a shrewd man-manager. Sunderland are again among the favourites to struggle, which seems odd given they possess a strong, robust squad led by captain Granit Xhaka. Both sides would probably settle for a point.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-1 Sunderland
Nottingham Forest v Leeds (3pm)
It was a rollercoaster 2025/26 season on the banks of the Trent with four managers just about managing to preserve Forest’s place in the top flight. They will hope for better this year under Glasner if he is given time. Leeds arrive in a good place after a strong pre-season and some canny signings. Daniel Farke’s side could have a very good season and potentially challenge for Europe.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Leeds
Brentford v Tottenham (5.30pm)
There has been a lot of discussion around Spurs this summer with the financial shackles released and Roberto De Zerbi spending almost £250m on new players. They will undoubtedly do better than 17th, a position they have occupied for the last two seasons, but a Champions League push seems fanciful. A clash with Brentford should provide a good indicator as to their progress. The Bees are solid Premier League operators and should edge this one.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Tottenham
Sunday, August 23
Brighton v Aston Villa (2pm)
Anyone writing Aston Villa off following the departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans would have watched with interest as Unai Emery’s side went toe to toe with PSG in the UEFA Super Cup last week. Villa have a vibrancy about them generated by an injection of youth and seem certain to threaten the top four once again. Brighton have done what Brighton do this summer: pluck a load of unknowns from various parts of Europe and start developing them into £100m footballers. Fabian Hurzeler has his critics but the Seagulls will have another good season.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Aston Villa
Manchester City v Bournemouth (2pm)
If any manager needs a confidence-boosting win this weekend, it is Enzo Maresca. Replacing Pep Guardiola was hard enough, but the loss of lynchpin Rodri and the 3-0 hammering by Arsenal in Cardiff has merely increased the sense of unease at the Etihad. Bournemouth also have a new man in charge, Marco Rose. His task will be to continue the progress made under Andoni Iraola. It’s a difficult opener for the Cherries, but they have enough quality to make it awkward for the hosts.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm)
It has been a largely dispiriting summer on Tyneside, with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes all leaving after eyeing opportunities elsewhere. In their stead have arrived a collection of talented, but unproven, young players. They will be asked to perform under a new manager, Matthias Jaissle, following his surprise appointment. The Premier League is an unforgiving beast, and it could be a long season for Newcastle with the misery likely to start on Sunday when Liverpool rolls into St James’ Park. The Merseysiders underperformed last year and, while it could take time for Iraola’s methods to take hold, they will have too much nous in this one.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-4 Liverpool
Monday, August 24
Fulham v Chelsea (8pm)
The first MNF of the new season comes from Craven Cottage with a meeting of two West London rivals. Fulham are an unknown quantity after the departure of Marco Silva, with Alvaro Arbeloa hardly pulling up trees in his stint with Real Madrid. The same can be said for Chelsea to an extent, even if Xabi Alonso has a proven track record. The Spaniard has to contend with a bloated squad and, if the signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are any indicator, a dressing room short of leaders. The quality is there, but Alonso has a tough job to mould them into a cohesive unit.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
How We Make Our Predictions
Our Premier League predictions are built on a mix of form, context, and matchday specifics, not guesswork. Before each round of fixtures, we look at:
- Recent form and head-to-head record, weighing how each side has performed over their last few matches, rather than relying on league position alone
- Team news, including injuries, suspensions and likely squad rotation, is checked as close to kick-off as possible since this can shift a prediction right up to the final team sheet
- Home and away form splits, since some sides perform very differently depending on the venue
- Managerial and tactical context, particularly early in the season, when new signings, new managers, or a change in system can make recent history less reliable
- Broader market signals, including how odds are moving, which can reflect information not yet obvious from the stats alone
Our predictions reflect our own editorial judgement and are intended to inform and entertain, not as financial or betting advice. They’re not influenced by any betting operator, and we don’t guarantee outcomes. Football is unpredictable, which is a big part of why we all watch it.
Responsible Gambling
It is vital to stay on top of your gambling habits, especially when betting on an event as exciting as the English Premier League. All top online sportsbooks will offer users a range of responsible gambling tools, such as time-outs and deposit limits. Alternatively, bettors can contact the following support services;
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start?
The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday, August 21, with reigning champions Arsenal hosting newly-promoted Coventry to open the campaign.
What time is Arsenal v Coventry?
Arsenal’s opening game against Coventry kicks off at 8 pm on Friday, August 21, live from the Emirates Stadium.
Which Premier League teams have been promoted for 2026/27?
Coventry, Hull City and Ipswich are among the sides returning to or entering the Premier League this season, each facing tough opening fixtures against established top-flight opposition.
Can I bet on Premier League predictions with free bets?
Yes, several UK bookmakers listed on this page offer free bet welcome offers that new customers can use on Gameweek 1 markets. Always check the terms of each site, including minimum odds and expiry windows, before placing a qualifying bet.
City AM is committed to responsible gambling. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford. To gain help, support and advice for a person struggling with gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. If you are worried about your gambling or that of a friend visit gambleaware.org.
