English Premier League matchday one predictions: Match preview, current form, key stats & h2h

The wait is finally over and we can look forward to the start of the 2026/27 English Premier League on Friday, August 21. 

Defending champions Arsenal will kick off the season against newly-promoted Coventry in the only scheduled match on Friday evening. 

The Gunners won their first Premier League title in 22 years last season under Mikel Arteta, and all the pressure will be on them to see whether they can successfully defend the title. 

Coventry earned direct promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship by an astounding 11 points more than their closest challengers. Ipswich and Hull City are the two other teams who will be playing topflight football this season. 

Both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool are all starting the season with new managers – making it a total of nine Premier League clubs that have changed coaches ahead of the new season. 

A brand new season brings with it new hope and ambitions for the 20 clubs in the Premier League, as we look forward to all the drama that the best football league in the world brings with it. 

Here we have a look at some of the top games scheduled for the opening weekend and offer our predicted outcomes. 

Arteta’s side already bagged their first piece of silverware for the season after thrashing Manchester City 3-0 in the FA Community Shield last weekend. 

This stated their intent to maintain their status as the team to beat this season, and will face a tricky task against the best team in the second division of English football last season. 

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Frank Lampard’s Coventry are making a return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence and bring an 11-game unbeaten streak into this game. 

Arsenal have won five of their six opening PL day fixtures under Arteta, with the only defeat coming in a 2-0 loss to Brentford in the 2021/22 season. Will they continue their impressive opening day run here? 

Prediction – Arsenal to win or draw (1X) – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE! 

Hull are also making a comeback to the PL after a nine-year absence. They beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in a dramatic Championship playoff final to seal promotion. 

They are without a win in their last three games ahead of the new season, though the moment of reckoning will be on Saturday as they seek to make a positive start to their life back in the Premier League. 

Michael Carrick is taking control of his first full season in charge of Man United after finishing third in the league last season. This transition period has seen them make a couple of new signings to boost their squad. 

Despite their squads being worlds apart in terms of financial capability and squad depth, the home advantage here may prove to be key for Hull, who are looking to make an immediate impact. 

United have only lost one of their last five games, a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly, while Hull are coming off a barren draw against Ligue 1’s Nice. 

Prediction – Both teams to score – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE! 

This match brings with it the potential to be one of the most exciting matches of the opening weekend. 

Brentford have proved difficult to beat in recent seasons, while Spurs are beginning a brand-new era under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.  

The Bees finished in ninth place last season as Tottenham barely survived relegation with a lowly 19th place finish. However, Spurs have beaten Brentford four out of the last five times they have played against them. 

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Spurs are unbeaten in eight games leading up to this fixture, showing that the changes they have made to bolster their squad seem to be working in their favor. Sandro Tonali and Matteus Fernandes are the main names the London club has added to their personnel. 

Both teams have enough quality in attack to score goals and we can expect at least one from either side here. However, the hosts home advantage may give them an edge here. 

Prediction – Over 2.5 goals – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE! 

Enzo Maresca begins his Premier League life in charge of Man City against another new manager in Marco Rose of Bournemouth. 

After a decade of trophies under Pep Guardiola, City begin their quest to prove they are still one of the best teams in the land here. He does not have an easy task against a Bournemouth side who are coming off one of their best seasons in English football. 

The Cherries finished in sixth last season, qualifying for European football for the first time in the clubs’ 127-year history. 

City were held to a 1-1 draw the last time these sides met in May this year. This was the first stalemate between these teams since 1999. 

Bournemouth have only managed one win against City in over 20 attempts and are not expected to win here. With home advantage and their opening day record, the host are favorites to get their season off to a winning start. 

Prediction – Man City to win – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE! 

Both teams are desperate to bounce back and have a better season, both with new coaches in charge. 

Matthias Jaissle took over from Eddie Howe at Newcastle, while Liverpool will be under the tutelage of former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. 

Talisman Mohamed Salah finally left the club, as well as Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate during the summer transfer window. Their opponents also lost huge names in Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon. 

Liverpool finished fifth last season, while their opponents could only manage a 12th place finish. We can expect to see two very different outfits here, with Iraola known for high aggressive pressing and vertical attacking football.  

Newcastle will need to find some form after losing three consecutive games leading up to this encounter. They also lost 7-3 to Liverpool over both legs last season. 

It may be hard to pick an outright winner here, though all of their last nine head-to-head matches have produced two or more goals and we can expect the same here. 

Prediction – Both teams to score – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE!