EPL Matchday 1 Picks & Preview (Aug 15-18)
The start of a new Premier League season gets underway on Friday, August 15, as the reigning champions Liverpool host Bournemouth. Another high-quality campaign of top-flight English soccer will be staged across the next nine months, and every team will have newfound hope on the opening weekend. But, which sides will start with victories? You can find our EPL matchday 1 picks here.
How to Watch
- When: Friday, August 15, 2025 – Monday, August 18, 2025
- Where: Various Stadiums, England
- How to Watch: NBC/USA/Peacock
EPL Matchday 1 Picks
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Big-spending Premier League champions Liverpool open their campaign at Anfield against Bournemouth on Friday. The Reds endured a disappointing result in the Community Shield, but the fluidity of their forward line, which includes summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, caught the eye.
Bournemouth have lost three of their regular first-choice defenders this summer, and that could ensure a damaging start to the new campaign on Merseyside.
Free Pick
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle
Aston Villa and Newcastle will both have their sights set on the Champions League spots in 2025-26. However, it has been a frustrating summer for Eddie Howe’s side, as they have failed to get deals for their main targets over the line, and they could yet lose Alexander Isak before the deadline.
Villa have been unusually quiet in the summer market, but the fact that they have kept hold of star players such as Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins is notable. A home win looks like it will pile the misery on the visiting Magpies.
Free Pick
Brighton vs. Fulham
Fulham and Brighton enjoyed solid campaigns in 2024-25, and both will be aiming to replicate their performance levels. Brighton have been typically smart in the market, signing relatively unknown talents from across Europe.
Fulham are yet to sign a first-team player of note, but that will change before the deadline. Home victories have been common in recent meetings between these sides, and history could repeat itself at the Amex.
Free Pick
Tottenham vs. Burnley
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham reign gets underway with a home fixture against newly promoted Burnley. Last season was a miserable one for Spurs, and injuries have already derailed their plans for the upcoming campaign with James Maddison ruled out for almost the entirety of 2025-26.
Burnley’s defensive record was incredibly impressive last term, and that could give them the platform to upset the odds on MD1 in the EPL on Saturday.
Free Pick
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Sunderland vs. West Ham
Sunderland make their return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign on Saturday. Confidence levels of a solid return are high, as Regis Le Bris has added some much-needed experience to the youthful squad this summer with the addition of Granit Xhaka.
Contrastingly, the mood is low at West Ham, and scoring goals could be a major issue following the departure of Mohammed Kudus. A home win looks like the play on Saturday.
Free Pick
Wolves vs. Man City
Pep Guardiola endured a testing campaign at the Etihad last term, but huge investment to the squad since January ensures that they are impossible to overlook.
City’s record on the opening day of the campaign is hugely impressive, while Wolves confidence levels are low after allowing Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri depart. A comfortable win looks to be on the agenda for the former champions in the West Midlands.
Free Pick
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford
Nottingham Forest missed out on a Champions League spot on the final day of last season, as their solid form evaded them in the final months of the campaign. However, their home form throughout last season was positive for the most part, and retaining the services of Morgan Gibbs-White is vital to their chances.
Brentford’s season is clouded with uncertainty, as unproven Keith Andrews will be looking to prove why he was the preferred choice to replace Thomas Frank. The Bees have an excellent record against Forest, and they could upset the odds on the opening day.
Free Pick
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
Chelsea are the trendy pick to mount a title challenge this term after another big summer of investment. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro offer excellent quality in the final third, but defensively, there are still questions to answer following the news that Levi Colwill will be out for the entire campaign.
Crystal Palace’s excellent attacking threat on the counter-attack saw them get the better of Liverpool in last weekend’s Community Shield, and it could set them up to pick up at least a point at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Free Pick
Man United vs. Arsenal
There will be immediate pressure on both Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta when Man United and Arsenal kick off their campaigns on Sunday. Amorim’s new-look forward line featuring Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha should ensure that they score plenty of goals this term.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have also added to their attacking options with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres. However, we like the chances of a home win this Sunday, as United have looked extremely sharp and fluent through pre-season.
Free Pick
Leeds vs. Everton
Newly promoted Leeds United open their 2025-26 campaign at home against Everton in the final fixture on matchday 1 in the EPL. Daniel Farke has added some much-needed physicality across the field for their return, while David Moyes has already bemoaned the lack of transfer activity at Everton.
This is a tough opening assignment for the Toffees, and the narrow preference is for last season’s Championship winners to start the campaign with a victory.
Free Pick
