Big Football Matches This Weekend: EPL and Betway Premiership Predictions
Football fans are in for another big weekend, with some important Premier League and Betway Premiership fixtures taking centre stage.
The English Premier League serves up a London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, while Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are also in action. Closer to home, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are among the big South African clubs looking for valuable points.
Here are the matches I’m watching this weekend, along with my predictions and some betting angles.
Ipswich Town vs Liverpool
Friday, 4 September – 21:00 SAST
Liverpool get the weekend underway when they travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.
The Reds are still searching for their first Premier League victory under new manager Andoni Iraola after opening the campaign with draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Ipswich, meanwhile, have shown plenty of improvement under Gary O’Neil but suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat against Manchester United last weekend.
Liverpool have dominated this fixture historically and will see this as an excellent opportunity to finally get three points on the board.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-3 Liverpool
Betting pick: Liverpool to win
Current odds found online have Liverpool as strong favourites, with Interwetten listing the Reds at around 1.55, compared with 5.25 for Ipswich and 4.60 for the draw.
Both teams scoring could also be worth considering, particularly given Ipswich’s attacking improvement.
Manchester City vs Coventry City
Saturday, 5 September – 16:00 SAST
Manchester City host newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad in one of the weekend’s biggest mismatches on paper.
City have made a strong start and will be expected to control this match from the opening whistle. Coventry face an enormous challenge against one of the Premier League’s strongest squads.
The biggest question is not necessarily whether City win, but how many goals they score.
The available odds reflect the gulf between the teams. Interwetten has Manchester City around 1.20 to win, with the draw at 7.75 and a Coventry victory at 13.00.
That makes the straight home win unattractive from a value perspective, but handicap and goals markets could offer more interesting options.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Coventry
Betting pick: Manchester City -1.5
Everton vs Manchester United
Sunday, 6 September – 16:00 SAST
Manchester United travel to Everton in another fixture that could provide plenty of interest for South African football fans.
United have already shown that they can score goals this season, but Everton at home should provide a much tougher test than some of their early opponents.
The visitors are priced as favourites, although not overwhelmingly so. Current odds from Interwetten put Everton around 3.15, the draw at 3.50 and Manchester United at 2.25.
That tells you this is far from a banker.
I expect United to have more possession and create the better chances, but Everton could make life difficult.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Betting pick: Manchester United to win
For those looking for something less aggressive, United draw no bet is worth considering.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Sunday, 6 September – 18:30 SAST
This is the weekend’s main event.
Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates in the first major London derby of the Premier League campaign.
Arsenal have started strongly and come into the game as clear favourites. Chelsea, meanwhile, have already shown that they can produce goals but have also looked vulnerable defensively.
The difference in defensive consistency could prove decisive.
Current markets have Arsenal around 1.65–1.70, with the draw around 3.75–4.00 and Chelsea between 4.60 and 5.00, depending on the bookmaker.
The goals markets are interesting too. Arsenal vs Chelsea is priced around 1.80 for over 2.5 goals, while both teams to score is also around 1.70–1.80 with several bookmakers.
I think Arsenal’s organisation gives them the edge, but Chelsea have enough attacking quality to cause problems.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Betting pick: Arsenal to win
Alternative: Both teams to score
This is probably my favourite EPL match for a bet this weekend.
Betway Premiership: Golden Arrows vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Sunday, 6 September – 15:00 SAST
The Betway Premiership brings us a very interesting clash when Golden Arrows host Mamelodi Sundowns at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.
Sundowns have started the season strongly and were sitting level with Orlando Pirates on 13 points after five matches following their 2-0 victory over Milford FC on Wednesday. The Brazilians have already scored plenty of goals this season, including a 5-2 win over AmaZulu.
Golden Arrows will have home advantage, but Sundowns have generally had the better of this fixture in recent seasons. They beat Arrows 2-1 in March 2026 and have also recorded convincing wins in previous meetings.
The current market has Sundowns as clear favourites, with odds around 1.72–1.73 available online. Flashscore’s listed market shows approximately 4.43 for Golden Arrows, 3.45 for the draw and 1.73 for Sundowns.
Prediction: Golden Arrows 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Betting pick: Mamelodi Sundowns to win
Sundowns are the strongest selection of the weekend for me in the Betway Premiership.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Siwelele
Sunday, 6 September – 17:30 SAST
Kaizer Chiefs will be looking to keep pace with the teams at the top of the Betway Premiership when they face Siwelele at Dobsonville Stadium.
The fixture has attracted plenty of attention after Chiefs confirmed the change of venue, with the match now being played at Dobsonville rather than the originally expected venue.
Chiefs currently sit third in the league and have eight points from their opening four matches, while Siwelele have struggled for results and are down near the bottom of the table. The official PSL standings have Chiefs on eight points and Siwelele on two.
Chiefs will also want a response after their 2-2 draw against Richards Bay, a result that cost them valuable points in the title race.
The prediction models are split on how comfortable this could be, but most give Chiefs the advantage. One model gives Chiefs a 53.5% chance of winning, while another has them at 46%. Both point towards a relatively low-scoring game.
Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Siwelele
Betting pick: Kaizer Chiefs to win
Alternative: Under 2.5 goals
Sekhukhune United vs TS Galaxy
Saturday, 5 September – 17:30 SAST
Sekhukhune United host TS Galaxy at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in another intriguing Betway Premiership encounter.
Both sides have shown enough to make this a difficult match to call. Sekhukhune have two wins from their opening four matches, while Galaxy have also been competitive.
This is the sort of game where the result could come down to one moment rather than sustained dominance.
The available prediction models suggest a relatively even contest, with one model giving the draw a 35.33% probability and expecting goals from both sides.
Prediction: Sekhukhune United 1-1 TS Galaxy
Betting pick: Draw
Alternative: Both teams to score
My Weekend Football Predictions
Match Prediction Betting Pick
Ipswich vs Liverpool 1-3 Liverpool win
Man City vs Coventry 3-0 Man City -1.5
Everton vs Man United 1-2 Man United win
Arsenal vs Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal win
Golden Arrows vs Sundowns 0-2 Sundowns win
Kaizer Chiefs vs Siwelele 1-0 Chiefs win
Sekhukhune vs TS Galaxy 1-1 Draw
The Best Bets of the Weekend
If I had to narrow the list down, Mamelodi Sundowns to beat Golden Arrows looks like the strongest Betway Premiership selection.
In the Premier League, Arsenal to beat Chelsea is my preferred straight win, although the both teams to score market could offer better value.
Manchester City should beat Coventry comfortably, but the home win is priced very short. A handicap or goals market therefore makes more sense than simply taking City at around 1.20.
Liverpool are another team I expect to win, although their early-season draws mean I would be slightly more cautious than the odds suggest.
As always, odds move before kick-off, so compare prices before placing a bet and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Brett is the newest member of the writing team at NoBull Betting. He is known for his insights into Rugby and Football. Brett is fan of the Sharks in local rugby and a Chelsea man at heart in the English Premier League. He is a keen cyclist and enjoys a round of golf on the weekends.