The Premier League is back (almost)—and it’s returning with a bang.
After a summer dominated by blockbuster transfers, the Club World Cup on top of the regular pre-season tournaments, and managerial upheaval, all eyes now turn to the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign.
From title challengers to European football hopefuls and new-look line-ups, here are the standout fixtures to look out for in the Premier League odds.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth – Friday, August 15 (20:00)
Venue: Anfield
The new season kicks off under the lights at Anfield, where reigning champions Liverpool begin the defence of their Premier League crown.
Arne Slot’s men will be the overwhelming favourites against Bournemouth, especially given the club’s eye-watering summer outlay nearing £300 million and counting.
The marquee signing is Florian Wirtz, who arrives from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record £116m and is expected to become the creative heartbeat of Slot’s evolving system.
French striker Hugo Ekitike joins in a £79m deal to add firepower, while Milos Kerkez, who signed for £40m from Bournemouth, will be eager to impress on debut against his former side.
With a buzzing Anfield and an expensively assembled squad, Reds fans will be expecting a statement performance.
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace – Sunday, August 17 (14:00)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s rollercoaster summer has included silverware and yet another transfer spree.
Fresh off lifting the Europa Conference League, the Blues headed to the United States, where they shocked the football world by dismantling Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s side are full of momentum, but expectations are sky-high at Stamford Bridge.
With Todd Boehly sanctioning another £200m+ in spending, the time for excuses is over.
However, their first domestic test is no walkover.
Crystal Palace, the reigning FA Cup holders, will make the short trip across London with confidence.
Under Oliver Glasner, the Eagles have shown they can go toe-to-toe with the best, and a fierce London derby could provide an early litmus test for Chelsea’s title credentials.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Sunday, August 17 (16:30)
Venue: Old Trafford
There are big games, and then there’s Manchester United vs. Arsenal.
Always one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season, this clash between two of England’s heavyweights comes with major subplots.
Arsenal enters the campaign with a sense of urgency.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the pressure is on Mikel Arteta to finally deliver silverware.
His hopes rest in part on the shoulders of Viktor Gyokeres—the 27-year-old Swedish striker who arrives from Sporting Lisbon as the Gunners’ potential missing link up front.
For United, the situation is more precarious. Last season’s 15th-place finish and a Europa League final defeat to Spurs have cast a shadow over Ruben Amorim’s appointment.
The Portuguese coach, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, is under immediate scrutiny, and facing his old talisman Gyokeres on the opening weekend could hardly be more symbolic.
A high-stakes encounter at Old Trafford, and one that could shape both teams’ seasons before they’ve even begun.
It will be hard to separate these two sides in the football odds.
Premier League Opening Weekend: Full Schedule
Friday 15 August
20:00 – Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
Saturday 16 August
12:30 – Aston Villa v Newcastle United
15:00 – Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham
15:00 – Sunderland v West Ham United
15:00 – Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley
17:30 – Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
Sunday 17 August
14:00 – Chelsea v Crystal Palace
14:00 – Nottingham Forest v Brentford
16:30 – Manchester United v Arsenal
Monday 18 August
20:00 – Leeds United v Everton
