EPL Gameweek 1 2026: Tips & Predictions

The defending champions are short favourites to beat Coventry City in the opening game at $1.18. That’s not a surprising quote for the premiers, who looked every bit impressive in the Community Shield when beating Manchester City 3-0.

Expectations aren’t high for Coventry City, and they get a tough opening game, which doesn’t help their cause. They could struggle to put goals on the board, and we expect Arsenal to strike early in the game.

The $1.60 for a halftime/fulltime win is where the value resides.

Manchester United could make a much faster start in the title race than they did last season, and Benjamin Sesko could be the man to provide the goals.

Sesko had 11 goals from 30 matches last season for United, which is a solid clip, but he should only improve with that season under his belt. The 23-year-old could have much more success in 2026/27, given the way United’s attack is expected to play.

Punters get $2.15 for Sesko to score an away goal to get things started against Hull City.

We have Crystal Palace playing well this season, and a road win over Everton would be a grand way to kick things off.

Palace doesn’t have an easy first-up task against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but we liked what we saw from them last year, and they should build on that momentum.

Everton is 0-4 in their last four Gameweek 1 matches, which adds more weight to backing Palace at $3.25.

Ipswich Town is back in the Premier League, but it could be a rude awakening from Sunderland, who are $2.50 favourites on the road.

We fancy Sunderland to make a good fist of things this season, having ended last season on the right note. They have players who are good enough to take this team to a Top 6 position, and they’re worth backing in the opener.

Look for Brian Brobbey to make an impact to sink the hopes of Ipswich Town.

Four of Nottingham’s last five EPL home matches have resulted in a draw, and we can’t split them and Leeds United on Sunday.

There isn’t much between them in betting markets, with Nottingham Forest at $2.30, so the team at Ladbrokes isn’t letting Leeds United out of their sights.

Our EPL predictions this week have a draw picked for this game, in what could be a 0-0 or 1-1 affair.

It has been a tough couple of years for Tottenham fans, and we can’t see things improving anytime soon.

That’s why Brentford are $2.40 favourites to win at home, and there have been some encouraging signs coming out of the Brentford camp during the off-season. It’s good to see, and it could result in posting wins.

Our EPL Gameweek 1 predictions are wary of the class Tottenham possesses, but their recent history isn’t good, and Brentford should get up for this contest.

The sunny skies of Brighton could shine brightly against Aston Villa, so our EPL tips this week have Brighton & Hove winning outright.

They’ll look to get off to a fast start, and although they didn’t end last season well, especially compared to Villa, they had a chance to reset and come back with a good game plan.

Keeping a lid on Ollie Watkins is key to their success, so if they defend him well, they should grind out a win at home.

After a dour performance in the Community Shield, we don’t have much faith in Manchester City to score an easy win over AFC Bournemouth, so we’re taking the underdogs with a 2+ goal start.

City has a better team, and nine of their players top the anytime goal scorer markets. However, they’re not working well as a unit, and having not scored against Arsenal, they could struggle again.

We have Man City winning 2-1, so take the $1.65 odds.

Our EPL best bets have a draw for Newcastle United vs Liverpool, and we’re finding it tough to split these teams.

Had it not been a Newcastle home game, we might have sided with Liverpool, but Newcastle plays well at St. James’s Park, and they’ll be keen to produce the goods after losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

Look for Yoane Wissa to play well for Newcastle, and he could score a late equaliser to the joy of home fans.

We love seeing the Cole Palmer goal celebration, and it could be a chilly night for Fulham FC fans.

Chelsea has a good chance of making the Top 4, and a good start will only elevate their confidence levels.

A good start could come from Palmer, who has two goals from his last three EPL games, and he’ll be fresh after missing out on World Cup selection. The $2.75 odds are worth including in EPL tips this week.