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Premier League Round 1 Predictions & Tips - Best Bets for EPL Week 1

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Fri 21 Aug 2026 07:17

The Premier League is back and we've highlighted the best bets for Round 1, including strong recommendations for Leeds, Bournemouth, Man United, and Chelsea. Leeds are tipped to avoid defeat at Forest, Bournemouth to keep it close against City, United to score freely against Hull, and Chelsea to win at Fulham. Key goal scoring props feature Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Bryan Mbeumo (United), and Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool). Follow these expert tips for a profitable opening weekend!

Andrew Hendrie 2 hours ago
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  • Best betting tips & predictions for Round 1 of the EPL
  • Chelsea tipped to start with a win over Fulham
  • Bournemouth can be competitive vs under-pressure City
  • United backed for goals against vulnerable Hull
EPL Round 1


Premier League Round 1 Predictions & Tips


The Premier League is back with a bang and we've picked out our four best bets for the opening round of matches, along with some goalscorer props.

See Also


Read on below for our best bets and reasoning behind each selection.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Tips & Prediction


Best Bet: Leeds Double Chance

Bet Reasoning

  • I've predicted Forest to have a great season in our outright season preview, but they could be prone for a slow start in a tough opening fixture
  • Oliver Glasner is a fantastic manager, but it's always challenging taking charge of a new club in your first competitive game - good chance here for a strong Leeds side to come away with a positive result
  • Leeds have a familiar setup and managed to avoid defeat in seven of their last eight away league games last season
  • Forest failed to win 10 of their last 11 home league games last term - big ask for an opening win here all things considered

Man City vs Bournemouth Tips & Prediction


Best Bet: Bournemouth +1.5

Bet Reasoning

  • City under huge pressure, with the Pep and Rodri era over and Maresca taking charge, along with Anderson slotting into the defensive midfield role
  • City were flat and uninspiring in their 3-0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal - most of their squad was at the World Cup and we've seen heavyweight clubs have slow starts to seasons following major international tournaments before
  • Bournemouth ended last season unbeaten in 17 consecutive EPL games - including playing spoiler to City's title hopes in a 1-1 draw
  • The Cherries play an attacking brand of football and have nothing to lose first up here - all the pressure is on City at home and Bournemouth look decent value to cover a +1.5 handicap at the least

Hull City vs Man United Tips & Prediction


Best Bet: United Over 2.5 Team Goals

Bet Reasoning

  • Hull somehow gained promotion despite conceding a whopping 66 goals and becoming the first team in 19 years to go up from sixth spot
  • Hull had the fourth-worst defence in the Championship last season & have tons of injuries first up here, while they've also made loads of signings, so everything is a big up in the air right now
  • United compiled more points than any other EPL team since the turn of the year and had the third-best away record last term
  • United also saw a league-high 119 goals in their games last season - with Hull's defence suspect, they look like they could bang in 3+ goals on opening day

Fulham vs Chelsea Tips & Prediction


Best Bet: Chelsea Win

Bet Reasoning

  • Backing Chelsea in for at least a top four finish this season, with the Blues not having to juggle any European commitments
  • Chelsea have recruited strongly and Xabi Alonso is a terrific manager - they should be much more solid this term
  • Fulham on the other hand look a weaker side on paper and I wouldn't be surprised if they are battling towards the bottom of the ladder come the end of the season
  • So I like Chelsea at even money to come away with all three points here - they've won four of the last six meetings and should get off to a winning start

Anytime Goalscorer/Shots Props


Joao Pedro vs Fulham

Pedro has locked down the starting striker role for Chelsea and was on target 15 times during a miserable campaign last season. The Brazilian is motivated following his World Cup snub, scoring seven times in the preseason - he's the main man for this Blues team in the final third.


Bryan Mbeumo vs Hull

Need to get on a United player in a match I'm expecting plenty of goals in. Sesko hasn't played since the end of last season and will likely be on the bench, so I'm liking Mbeumo - who should start alongside Cunha in United's attack. Mbeumo scored the equal-most EPL goals last season for United with 11 and should get his chances against a defence that leaked 66 goals in the Championship.

Bryan Mbeumo Anytime GoalscorerHull vs Man United$2.50 - Bet Here
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Dominik Szoboszlai vs Newcastle

Szoboszlai is going to be a big-time player for Liverpool this season and nobody at the Reds had more than his 23 shots on target last season. Szoboszlai hit the target against Newcastle last season and he will be on free-kick duties. The Hungarian loves taking a shot from distance and with the Magpies looking like a mid-table team ahead of the new season, he should get his chances in this one.

Verdict

Our best bets for EPL Round 1 can be viewed below.

Best Bet1: Leeds Win or Draw Forest vs Leeds $1.65 at Marantellibet - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Bournemouth +1.5 Man City vs Bournemouth $1.65 at dabble - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: United Over 2.5 Goals Hull vs Man United $2.40 at Ladbrokes - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Chelsea Win Fulham vs Chelsea $1.90 at BetRaven - 1 Unit
Leeds Win or Draw
Forest vs Leeds
$1.65 - 1 Unit
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Bournemouth +1.5
Man City vs Bournemouth
$1.65 - 1 Unit
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United Over 2.5 Goals
Hull vs Man United
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Chelsea Win
Fulham vs Chelsea
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