And the clock reaches zero – it will be premier league 2025/26 now when the very season will kick-off on Friday, August 15, 2025, and everybody ‘across the pond’ is naturally excited, including England. From the starving lions of Liverpool to the newly promoted sides out to justify their existence, in an all-out spectacle of football drama, goals, and surprises, yet again, the fans and punters eagerly await it.
With matchweek 1 a few days away, the sports betting markets are already live. Bet365, Ladbrokes — bookmakers all over the UK have laid out odds on not just the outright title winners but also the season’s opening round fixtures. Well, to the wise bettor, it is all about comparing these odds from different platforms in order to identify whether value is present. So whether it’s backing Liverpool for a successful title defense or aiming for long-shot returns in an underdog matchup, a good understanding of where the best prices are is absolutely important.
Week 1 Fixtures and Odds
The opening weekend in the Premier League spreads over four days with a whole series of exciting matches and betting options for astute punters. It all starts with Liverpool taking on Bournemouth at Anfield to kick-off their campaign on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, the card includes fixtures such as Aston Villa against Newcastle and Wolves’ hosting of Man City. In terms of Sunday’s play, the top headline event features Manchester United playing host to Arsenal while for Monday night, Leeds are set to entertain Everton.
The following table shows the varying odds of match result (1X2) comparison from three top UK bookmakers for Matchweek 1:
| Fixture | Bet365 (H/D/A) | SkyBet (H/D/A) | Ladbrokes (H/D/A) |
| Liverpool vs. Bournemouth | 1/4 – 5/1 – 10/1 | 2/9 – 11/2 – 11/1 | 1/5 – 5/1 – 12/1 |
| Aston Villa vs. Newcastle | 9/5 – 12/5 – 6/4 | 15/8 – 5/2 – 6/4 | 2/1 – 9/4 – 7/5 |
| Brighton vs. Fulham | 11/10 – 12/5 – 12/5 | 21/20 – 12/5 – 5/2 | 6/5 – 12/5 – 9/4 |
| Wolves vs. Man City | 9/1 – 5/1 – 2/7 | 10/1 – 9/2 – 1/4 | 8/1 – 9/2 – 2/9 |
| Man United vs. Arsenal | 9/5 – 12/5 – 6/4 | 7/4 – 5/2 – 13/10 | 15/8 – 12/5 – 11/8 |
| Leeds vs. Everton | 13/10 – 11/5 – 2/1 | 5/4 – 9/4 – 21/10 | 6/5 – 12/5 – 2/1 |
Odds correct as of July 24, 2025, and subject to change.
Comparing Odds: Why It Matters
Even minor differences in odds can make a big difference over time in your returns. For example, if you backed Bournemouth at 12/1 versus 10/1, the return is 20% higher for the same stake. This is why most serious punters are using dynamic odds comparison sites such as Oddschecker, OddsPortal, and SmartBets, instead of flipping between the pages of Bet365, SkyBet, Paddy Power and so on.
Such service enables a comparison of odds not only for match results but also for Over/Under Goals, First Goalscorer, Correct Score, and Both Teams to Score alternative markets.
Outright Title Odds: Who Leads the Race?
In the ‘outright winner’ market, Liverpool currently lead the pack, with Arsenal and Manchester City closely following the trail. Here is a view of the ‘best of’ odds and implied probabilities.
- Liverpool – 2/1 (33.3%)
- Arsenal – 12/5 (29.4%)
- Man City – 3/1 (25.0%)
- Chelsea – 8/1 (11.1%)
- Newcastle – 35/1 (2.8%)
- Man United – 40/1 (2.4%)
It’s Chelsea’s form that has seen their odds slashed quite significantly from last season, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa the main ones at 100/1 plus.
Tips for Intelligent Matchday Betting
Veteran punters and analysts stress that there’s much more to it than just headline odds. When framing your bets, bear in mind the following:
- Team News – Injuries, Suspensions, Signings which might affect team’s play
- Home/Away Trends – Some clubs are traditionally stronger at home, while others struggle away.
- Weather Conditions – Rain, heat or wind can also affect the tactics and outcome of the game
- In-Play Value – In-play prices can also prove very telling – more so, for example, after an early goal or red card.
- Special Markets – Other potential markets may include wagers on first goalscorer or the total number of cards or corners, each of which presents its own hidden value.
The 2025/26 Premier League season will kick off with Liverpool ready to take the reins from the onset, yet the betting landscape depicts little separation amongst the top contenders. There is going to be quite a bounty of chances for sharp bettors for Matchweek 1, particularly when it comes to comparing odds across platforms.
Check those fixtures, as some have probably shifted because of changes in broadcasting. As ever, though, bet responsibly and enjoy what promises to be another scorcher of a season of Premier League football.
