This weekend marks the exciting start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and we’re focusing on three intriguing fixtures taking place this Saturday. Below, you’ll find my thoughts and betting suggestions worth considering for each matchup.
Before diving into the previews, let’s take a quick look at the current Premier League title odds. Liverpool remain favourites to retain the title at 17/10, with Arsenal close behind at 12/5. Manchester City are next in line at 33/10, while Chelsea stands out as my value pick at 15/2. The rest of the challengers are priced at 20/1 or higher.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE UNITED – Click here to bet
Saturday’s early kick-off sees Aston Villa welcome Newcastle United to Villa Park in a clash between two sides with top-six aspirations. Both clubs enjoyed strong campaigns last season, each securing European football, and with fresh optimism plus new signings to bed in, this opener promises to be fiercely contested.
Aston Villa boasted the fourth-best home record in the league last term, losing just once at Villa Park on match day two before embarking on an 18-game unbeaten home run (W11, D7). Unai Emery’s men won eight of their final ten league matches but narrowly missed out on a Champions League place, with goal difference handing Newcastle the final spot. Villa finished 6th overall on 66 points (W19, D9, L10) and will compete in the Europa League. They closed last season with five consecutive home league victories, including a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Newcastle in that stretch.
Newcastle United finished 5th—also on 66 points—with a record of W20, D6, L12. Eddie Howe’s side began last season strongly, going unbeaten in their first four matches (W3, D1), but their away form wobbled late on, losing four of their final seven road trips. Defensive vulnerabilities were evident on their travels, keeping just five clean sheets in nineteen away fixtures and conceding 27 goals on the road overall. Villa Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies, who have claimed just one win in their last six visits, conceding 14 goals in that time.
Head-to-Head
Last season both sides won their home meetings—Newcastle 3-0 at St James’ Park, and Aston Villa returning the favour with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Villa Park.
Betting
Aston Villa 13/10
Draw 27/10
Newcastle United 2/1
Verdict
Villa’s fortress-like home form last season, coupled with Newcastle’s recent struggles at Villa Park, gives Emery’s men the edge. Expect an intense battle, but Villa’s track record on their own patch could prove decisive.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Aston Villa at 13/10
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v BURNLEY – Click here to bet
Tottenham Hotspur endured a turbulent 2024/25 campaign, finishing 17th with just 38 points—their lowest league finish of the Premier League era. Spurs earned only 21 points at home (6 wins, 3 draws, 10 losses), showing glimpses of quality but lacking the much-needed consistency overall. Under new management, they will be eager to reset and improve their domestic form this season.
Spurs enter matchday one just three days after their disappointing defeat in the UEFA Super Cup, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain. Having conceded two late goals that saw the encounter end 2-2 in normal time, Thomas Frank’s men will be determined to respond positively and avoid any further setbacks, particularly on the domestic front. Last term, balancing European commitments with domestic fixtures proved challenging for Spurs, and it will be intriguing to see how they manage the demands of competing on multiple fronts under their new boss. That said, their immediate focus will be on Saturday’s clash, where they will aim to restore some much-needed pride after losing twice at home to newly promoted teams last season—something they will be desperate to avoid this weekend.
Meanwhile, Burnley return to Premier League football following a strong 2024/25 campaign, in which they secured 2nd place in the Championship. This immediate bounce-back comes after their relegation in the 2023/24 season. With an impressive haul of 100 points from 46 games and just two defeats all season, Burnley will be eager to build on their momentum despite the notable step up in quality from the Championship to the Premier League.
Among the promoted sides, the Clarets boasted the best defensive record by a significant margin, conceding only 16 goals throughout the season. This defensive solidity could prove crucial in frustrating more fancied Premier League opponents this time around—starting with Spurs this weekend.
Head-to-Head
Spurs have won their last four consecutive meetings against Burnley across all competitions, including a league double in the 2023/24 season—a 5-2 victory at Turf Moor and a 2-1 win at home in London.
Betting
Tottenham Hotspur 37/100
Draw 4/1
Burnley 15/2
Verdict
Although Tottenham are strong favourites on home turf, Burnley’s solid defensive form last season hints they could cause some frustration for Spurs. While a Spurs defeat seems unlikely, I’m not convinced it will be a straightforward win for the hosts.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Total – Tottenham Hotspur/Draw and Under 3.5 at 4/6
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Molineux sets the stage for an intriguing opener as Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Manchester City. Wolves are looking to put last season’s frustrations behind them after finishing 16th on 42 points—a position that, while comfortably clear of the drop, still left plenty of room for improvement. Home form was a particular concern, with just six wins from 19 matches and a negative goal difference of -5, having conceded 32 goals at Molineux.
The tone of their campaign was set early on as they failed to win any of their opening ten fixtures, losing seven in that stretch. Now, for the second year running, they start with a tough test—having lost to Arsenal on the opening weekend last term, they face a City side determined to bounce back after falling short of their own high expectations last season. Unfortunately for Vítor Pereira’s men, they have lost their last three meetings with City, a record they will be desperate to break.
Manchester City endured a mixed campaign, finishing third with 71 points—well below the levels they usually demand from themselves. Injuries, particularly to midfield anchor Rodri, and bouts of inconsistency proved costly. While they lifted the Community Shield, Pep Guardiola’s men had to settle for runners-up in the FA Cup and exited the Champions League at the knockout playoff stage.
A dismal spell between November and December, yielding just one win in nine league outings (W1, D2, L6), effectively ended their title defence. However, a late surge—six victories from their final seven matches—restored much-needed pride and confidence, helping City secure a top-three finish and a Champions League berth. Notably, City didn’t concede a goal in any of their final four away fixtures last season—a pattern they will be keen to replicate on opening day as they head to Molineux in search of a winning start.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City have secured maximum points in all three of their recent meetings with Wolves, including a 2-1 victory at Molineux last season followed by a 1-0 win at the Etihad.
Betting
Wolverhampton Wanderers 11/2
Draw 15/4
Manchester City 40/85
Verdict
I like the look of City here, and without overcomplicating matters by chasing extra value, I’ll back the Citizens for the outright win with at least two goals scored—a market that landed in nine of Wolves’ ten home defeats at Molineux last season.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals – Manchester City and Over 1.5 at 13/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
