Premier League Game Week 1 Tips — CopyBet
Friday night sees the highly anticipated 2025/26 Premier League season finally get underway, as reigning champions Liverpool begin their title defence at Anfield against Bournemouth.
In a round of fixtures that also includes some heavyweight showdowns at Villa Park and Old Trafford, here are three selections to consider for Game Week 1 in the English top flight.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Starting with the reigning champs, Arne Slot’s Liverpool look set to make a winning start to their Premier League title defence when they host Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.
Losing the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Ilya Zabarnyi over the summer transfer window, a Bournemouth defence that performed so well last season has been sold off.
It has left Iraola in a tough position as the Cherries prepare for the toughest possible opener at Anfield, a ground that holds some bad memories for the south coast outfit.
Bournemouth have lost their last six visits to the iconic Merseyside ground, including a harrowing 9-0 defeat back in 2022.
While a one-sided result of that nature seems unlikely, the Cherries have failed to score in their last three games with Liverpool, and Slot’s men to win to nil on Friday night is the selection.
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
Saturday’s headline clash pits Aston Villa against Newcastle United in the heart of the West Midlands.
Both teams are once again pushing for a Champions League berth this season, setting the stage for a heavyweight contest — though Newcastle arrive with an unwelcome distraction in tow.
The Magpies’ build-up has been overshadowed by uncertainty surrounding striker Alexander Isak and his apparent desire to move on from the club to join champions Liverpool.
Villa ran out 4-1 winners the last time these sides met at this ground last season, and with the Isak saga hanging over Newcastle, Unai Emery’s men look well-placed to claim another home triumph in the lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Sunday throws up arguably the pick of the fixtures in Game Week 1, as old rivals Manchester United and Arsenal prepare to do battle at Old Trafford.
While 32 points separated these two teams in the table last season, with Arsenal finishing runners-up and United down in 15th, there was nothing to choose between them in their last two meetings.
A 1-1 draw at the Emirates in the FA Cup in January was followed by another stalemate by the same scoreline in their last Premier League encounter at Old Trafford in March.
With United signing Benjamin Sesko and Arsenal landing Viktor Gyokeres, both teams have added quality in the final third.
In what might be another cagey encounter at Old Trafford, another stalemate appeals at odds of 257/100.