EPL 2025/26 Preview & Betting Tips: Matchday 2

It was a fascinating opening weekend of Premier League action last time out, with champions Liverpool setting the tone with a chaotic and compelling home win against Bournemouth to open up. Elsewhere, the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest all won handsomely, while promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds United got off to the best possible starts with home victories too.

Familiar troubles continued for Manchester United, who lost out at home to Arsenal, while Chelsea's inconsistencies came to the fore once more, with a goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

Twists and turns are inevitable as the season goes on and with another bumper round of fixtures, it promises to be another unmissable weekend of EPL action.

London Stadium, 23rd August 2025 – 04.00

A chastening opening day defeat Sunderland has piled the pressure on Graham Potter and West Ham United and things don't look to be getting any easier, as they take on Chelsea.

The Hammers endured a difficult EPL campaign last year and have plenty of work to do following that loss at the Stadium of Light. For Chelsea meanwhile, a familiar tale of inconsistency came to the fore last week, as they failed to break down an organised Crystal Palace defence and picked up a solitary point.

It may only be the second weekend of the season but this feels like a big game for both sides, with Chelsea perhaps having enough in reserve to get over the line.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Under 2.5 goals in the match	$1.85
	Chelsea to win the match	$1.70
	A red card to be shown	$3.50

Predicted Lineups:

West Ham United: Hermansen, Aguerd, Todibo, Kilman, wan-Bissaka, Diouf, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen & Fullkrug.

Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Palmer, Neto, Pedro & Delap.

Etihad Stadium, 23rd August 2025 – 20.30

Two sides who enjoyed excellent opening day results clash here, as Manchester City host Tottenham, in one of the blockbuster fixtures of the weekend. Much was made of City not being up to the title challenge last week but the narrative has quickly changed following their comprehensive 4-0 win at Wolves to open up.

Thomas Frank is clearly getting a tune out of this Tottenham side and he will be hoping to continue that here in East Manchester. He caused Pep Guardiola and City some issues when in charge of Brentford and he will be looking to filter that messge through to his new Tottenham team.

Calling this one is tough, so early on in the season and with neither squad set but it feels like goals could be on the agenda and both sides may end up settling for a draw.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	The match to finish as a draw	$5.00
	Both teams to score	$1.60
	4 or more bookings in the game (total)	$2.10

Predicted Lineups:

Manchester City: Trafford, Lewis, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri, Bernardo, Nico, Cherki, Reijnders, Marmoush & Haaland.

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van der Ven, Romero, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Paulinha, Kudus & Richarlison.

Vitality Stadium, 23rd August 2025 – 23.00

Two sides who suffered losses on the opening weekend meet here, as Bournemouth host Wolves.

The Cherries found a late onslaught from Liverpool too much to deal with at Anfield but should take heart from their performance at the champions. Wolves meanwhile showed glimmers against Manchester City but came up short against the blues and know improvements need to be made moving forwards.

Picking up points and staying in the division will be the priority for both of these teams and the stakes feel high already. Bournemouth are tough to beat at home though and they could squeeze all three points here.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Both teams to score	$1.95
	Bournemouth to win the match	$1.80
	Evanilson to score anytime	$2.80

Predicted Lineups:

Bournemouth: Petrovic, Diakite, Smith, Truffert, Senesi, Adams, Scott, Semenyo, Brooks, Tavernier & Evanilson.

Wolves: Sa, Toti, Doherty, Hoever, Agbadou, Wolfe, Gomes, Andre, Munetsi, Arias & Larsen.

Turf Moor, 23rd August 2025 – 23.00

A battle of the promoted sides lies in wait here, as Burnley take on Sunderland at Turf Moor.

It was a familiar tale for the Clarets, who were well beaten by Tottenham last time out and Scott Parker will need to pick his side up for the challenges ahead in the EPL.

Sunderland meanwhile picked up one of the results of the round, overcoming West Ham at home and confidence should be high in the Black Cats camp here.

This should make for compelling viewing, with Burnley perhaps most likely to edge it, following their dominant performances in the Championship last term.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	A red card to be shown	$3.50
	Under 2.5 goals	$2.05
	Burnley to win the match	$2.40

Predicted Lineups:

Burnley: Dubravka, Hartman, Esteve, Walker, Ekdal, Edwards, Cullen, Laurent, Ramsey, Mejbri & Foster.

Sunderland: Roefs, Ballard, Hume, Seelt, Mandava, Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki, Talbi, Adingra & Mayenda.

Gtech Community Stadium, 23rd August 2025 – 23.00

The Keith Andrews era at Brentford needs to kick into life and the Bees have the perfect opportunity to do just that, as they take on Aston Villa in West London.

Change has been in the offing all summer for Brentford but they still have plenty of EPL quality in their ranks and they will want to bounce back from their poor loss at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Aston Villa meanwhile picked up a hard fought point against Newcastle last weekend, playing a good chunk of the game with 10 men and they will want to play with freedom in this one.

Villa are a decent side on the road and their pace and creativity could be too much for Brentford.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Aston Villa to win the match	$2.20
	Ollie Watkins to score anytime	$2.40
	Both teams to score	$1.90

Predicted Lineups:

Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Van der Berg, Collins, Henry, Jensen, Henderson, Milambo, Schade, Carvalho & Thiago.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Digne, Torres, Mings, Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers & Watkins.

Emirates Stadium, 24th August 2025 – 00.30

Gritty 1-0 wins were the order of the day for Arsenal and Leeds United last weekend and they will both be eager to back those results up this time around.

Trips to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United are never easy but the Gunners dug deep, to leave Salford unscathed and they look to be well in the title hunt this time around.

Leeds meanwhile produced a big performance to overcome Everton at Elland Road in their opener but they will know this is a complete free hit for them in the capital.

Arsenal will need to be cautious here, with Leeds looking a real danger in the EPL this year but the Gunners should register a home win in this one.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Over 5.5 cards to be shown (total)	$2.10
	Bukayo Saka to score anytime	$2.50
	Arsenal to win the match	$1.30

Predicted Lineups:

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli & Gyokeres.

Leeds United: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, James, Gnonto & Piroe.

Selhurst Park, 24th August 2025 – 22.00

An unexpected rivalry has forged between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, following a controversial end to last season.

The upshot is that Forest have replaced Palace in the Europa League, as the Eagles didn't meet the club ownership rules placed upon them by UEFA and this one should be tasty as a result.

Both sides picked up solid results on the opening day, Palace drawing at Chelsea, while Forest comfortably saw off Brentford at home.

Emotions should run high in this one and these sides are well matched, making the draw the most likely outcome.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	The match to finish as a draw	$3.45
	Both teams to score	$1.85
	A penalty to be awarded	$3.10

Predicted Lineups:

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi, Richards, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Eze & Mateta.

Nottingham Forest: Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams, Yates, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Hutchinson & Wood.

Hill Dickenson Stadium, 24th August 2025 – 22.00

Everton's life at their new home - the Hill Dickenson Stadium - gets underway with a fascinating clash against Brighton.

David Moyes's side were undone by a controversial late penalty against Leeds United last time out and they will be desperate to banish the memories of that quickly.

Brighton meanwhile threw away two points late on against Fulham last weekend and they too will want a response here.

Calling this one is tough but with the atmosphere at Everton's new stadium sure to be at fever pitch, the Toffees could get over the line.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Everton to win the match	$3.00
	Both teams to score	$1.80
	Over 4.5 cards in the match (total)	$1.95

Predicted Lineups:

Everton: Pickford, O'Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Garner, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Ndiaye & Beto.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, O'Riley, Mitoma & Rutter.

Craven Cottage, 25th August 2025 – 00.30

Manchester United will be desperate to bounce back from their opening day loss to Arsenal, as they travel to the capital to take on Fulham.

The Cottagers salvaged a precious point against Brighton with the last kick of the game last time out and should be brimming with confidence ahead of this one as a result.

For United, putting points on the board will be key and they tend to play with more freedom on the road and have picked up some good results at Fulham in recent years.

Not many people are backing the Red Devils at the moment but they could silence a few doubters this weekend.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Bryan Mbeumo to score anytime	$3.00
	Manchester United to win the match	$2.25
	Both teams to score	$1.80

Predicted Lineups:

Fulham: Leno, Bassey, Tete, Andersen, Castagne, Lukic, Berge, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Wilson & Jimenez.

Manchester United: Bayindir, Shaw, Dorgu, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mbuemo, Cunha & Sesko.

St James's Park, 26th August 2025 – 04.00

The Alexander Isak transfer saga between these two clubs continues to rumble on but for the time being, action on the pitch will take centre stage.

Toon couldn't find a way past Aston Villa last time out but should take heart from their showing and will be up for this one in front of their home fans.

Liverpool overcame a couple of wobbles to see of Bournemouth to open up their account but only proved to show how dangerous they can be.

A Premier League classic lies in wait here and while Newcastle will play their part, Liverpool could pick up a statement victory.

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Liverpool to win the match	$2.05
	Over 3.5 goals	$2.10
	Mohamed Salah to score anytime	$2.25

Predicted Lineups:

Newcastle United: Pope, Livramento, Burn, Schar, Trippier, Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Gordon, Elanga & Barnes.

Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Salah & Ekitike.