Important English Premier League Matches This Weekend: Predictions, Odds and Players to Watch

The 2026/27 English Premier League season is already starting to take shape, and this weekend has several matches that could have a big say in the early table.

Arsenal are sitting at the top after winning all four of their opening matches, while Manchester City are also unbeaten and level on 12 points. Leeds United have been one of the early surprise packages and moved into third after hammering Newcastle United 4-1.

There is still a long way to go, but the upcoming fixtures give us plenty to keep an eye on.

Arsenal Leading the Way

Arsenal have made the perfect start to their title defence. The Gunners have taken 12 points from their first four games and currently lead Manchester City on goal difference. Their latest result was a 2-0 win over Sunderland, with Bukayo Saka and Bruno Guimaraes among the key contributors.

Manchester City are also on 12 points after beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Manchester derby. Erling Haaland once again proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the winner at Old Trafford.

The two sides already look like early title favourites, although Leeds and Brighton are showing that the usual big clubs won’t have everything their own way.

Brighton vs Arsenal

Date: Saturday, 19 September

Kick-off: 17:00 South African time

Venue: Amex Stadium

This is arguably the biggest game of the weekend.

Brighton have started the campaign brilliantly and are fourth in the table. They have also been one of the highest-scoring teams, with 13 goals from their opening four matches. Their latest result was a massive 5-0 victory away against Coventry City.

Arsenal, however, have yet to drop a point.

The Gunners have also performed well away from home against Brighton in recent seasons, and their confidence will be high after another clean-sheet win.

Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal

Betting angle: Arsenal to win

Current bookmaker prices are moving as the match approaches, but Arsenal are generally being rated as the favourites. Some previews are also backing an Arsenal victory.

Brentford vs Chelsea

Date: Friday, 18 September

Kick-off: 21:00 South African time

Venue: Gtech Community Stadium

Friday night’s game should be a cracker.

Brentford have started the season unbeaten and have already shown that they can cause problems for the bigger clubs. Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a more frustrating opening, including a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Hull City.

Chelsea have plenty of attacking quality, with João Pedro and Morgan Rogers among the players making an impact early in the campaign.

Brentford will fancy their chances at home, though, and this could be a much closer game than the names on the shirts suggest.

Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Chelsea

Pre-match odds currently have Chelsea slightly ahead in several markets, although prices vary between bookmakers. ESPN and other betting sources are carrying live odds for the fixture.

Bournemouth vs Liverpool

Date: Sunday, 20 September

Kick-off: 15:00 South African time

Venue: Vitality Stadium

Liverpool need to start picking up wins if they want to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Reds have had a mixed start and were held to a goalless draw by Fulham in their most recent league match. That result followed some concerns about their attacking sharpness.

Bournemouth are no pushovers, though, and will have home advantage behind them.

Liverpool still have enough quality to take all three points, particularly with Alexander Isak already among the early Golden Boot contenders.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool are currently around 1.91 in the match-winner market with some bookmakers, although odds can change before kick-off.

Manchester City vs Sunderland

Date: Sunday, 20 September

Kick-off: 15:00 South African time

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Manchester City will be expected to win this one.

City come into the match on the back of their derby victory over United and have won all four of their league games so far. Haaland is also leading the early Golden Boot race with four goals.

Sunderland have made a respectable start after returning to the Premier League, but facing City at the Etihad is a completely different challenge.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland

Haaland will be the obvious player to watch, while Rayan Cherki has also already shown flashes of quality for City.

Fulham vs Manchester United

Date: Sunday, 20 September

Kick-off: 17:30 South African time

Venue: Craven Cottage

Manchester United have had a difficult start and currently sit well below where their supporters would expect them to be.

Their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City was another setback, although there have been positive signs under Michael Carrick. Bruno Fernandes has started the season strongly and is among the early leading scorers with three goals.

Fulham will look to make life uncomfortable at Craven Cottage, particularly if United struggle to create chances again.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Manchester United

United are the bigger side on paper, but this could be a nervy afternoon for the visitors.

Players Standing Out So Far

There are already several players making their mark in the early Golden Boot race.

Erling Haaland leads the way with four goals for Manchester City. Bruno Fernandes, Alexander Isak, João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka are among the players on three goals. Brentford’s Kevin Schade and Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier have also impressed with three goals each.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another name worth watching. The Leeds striker scored against Newcastle and helped his side move into third place with a dominant 4-1 victory.

Premier League Predictions This Weekend

The biggest game is undoubtedly Brighton vs Arsenal, but there is plenty of value elsewhere.

My main picks are:

Arsenal to beat Brighton

Chelsea to beat Brentford

Liverpool to beat Bournemouth

Manchester City to beat Sunderland

Manchester United to beat Fulham

It is still very early in the Premier League season, but the table is already starting to develop some interesting storylines. Arsenal and City look like the early title contenders, while Leeds and Brighton have shown that they could be serious problems for the established big clubs.

For South African football fans, there should be plenty of action to enjoy this weekend.

Odds are subject to change and may differ between South African bookmakers. Bet responsibly and only wager what you can afford to lose.