The 2026-27 Premier League season is underway, and our EPL betting tips start with the biggest question of all: can Arsenal defend their title? The Gunners ended a 22-year wait to become champions last season and opened their title defense with a convincing 3-0 victory over promoted Coventry City on August 21.
The season runs through May 30, 2027, with 20 clubs playing 38 games each. Manchester City are rebuilding after Pep Guardiola’s departure, Liverpool have a new coach, and Manchester United are trying to build on last season’s third-place finish.
From the title race to relegation and individual player awards, Bovada EPL betting odds offer every wager imaginable that you can follow throughout the season. This preview is here to prepare you for all the odds and action, with exclusive tips from Bovada’s own EPL trader Mateo Garcia.
EPL Betting Tips: Can Arsenal Defend Their Title?
Arsenal enter the season as the team to beat. Mikel Arteta’s side finished seven points clear of Manchester City last season, winning 26 of 38 matches while allowing a league-low 27 goals. Their defense gave them the foundation for the title, while goalkeeper David Raya recorded 19 clean sheets (aka shutouts) on his way to a third consecutive Golden Glove.
“Arsenal opened at +150 back in May and drifted to a summer high of +175,” Garcia explained. “The market was waiting to see whether they’d address the squad properly.”
They did. Bruno Guimaraes arrived from Newcastle to add another elite option in midfield, while Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge after scoring 17 goals with 23 assists in Belgium last season. Arsenal demonstrated their depth immediately against Coventry, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all scoring in the 3-0 opening-night win.
“They’re now +120, and that price actually feels earned for once rather than sentimental,” Garcia said. “This is a squad with depth in every line, a settled defensive structure, and now a midfield that can control a match rather than merely survive one.”
Manchester City remain the obvious threat, but this is not the same City team that dominated the Pep Guardiola era. Manager Enzo Maresca replaced Guardiola, while Rodri moved to Barcelona. That said, they responded aggressively by acquiring England midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Then there’s Erling Haaland, of course, the major reason City can challenge. He scored 27 league goals last season to win his third Golden Boot and gives Maresca a star capable of turning the tide in any battle.
A team that could climb back into contention is Tottenham Hotspur; they just survived relegation with 41 points and a 17th-place finish. But after a summer of strong additions, they’ve become the most heavily backed team surrounding Top Six odds – AKA odds to finish top six in the EPL Standings. It opened at +120 and, after heavy action, now sits at -110.
“The bettors got there early on this one; the value has largely been squeezed out,” Garcia said. “If you were on at +120, you’re in good shape. At -110, you’re paying a fair price for a team that should be in the mix.”
The EPL Relegation Battle: Who Goes Down?
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City came up from the Championship, and promoted clubs naturally attract attention in the relegation market. Coventry are back in the Premier League after a 25-year absence, while Hull return after nine years away.
“Of the three teams coming up, Hull look the least equipped,” Garcia said. “They’re the shortest price for relegation at -550, and the ‘To Finish Bottom’ market has moved hard: opened +140, now -135.”
For value, Garcia pointed to Crystal Palace at +500 and Newcastle at +750.
“Palace have lost [defender] Maxence Lacroix and a top-quality manager in the same summer, and they’ve done nothing to replace either,” Garcia said. “This isn’t a squad that’s been weakened at the margins; it lost a key defender and its tactical identity.”
Garcia also notes that Crystal Palace lack depth, have Europa League matches to manage simultaneously, and will likely have to decide which league to focus on come November.
“+500 is a very fair price for a side with this combination of risk factors,” he said. “We’d want to be on before the market catches up.”
Newcastle is a team Garcia outlined as capable of finishing anywhere from the middle of the standings to the bottom. They lost both starting midfielders last season, Andro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes as well as manager Eddie Howe. The losses have shifted them from odds-on for a Top Half finish to odds-on for a Bottom Half finish.
“There’s a version of this season where Newcastle stabilize and finish mid-table on individual quality alone,” Garcia said. “There’s also a version where the structural problems compound week on week.”
Odds on EPL relegation markets are available at Bovada.
The EPL Top 4 Race: European Places Up for Grabs
Top-four bets can provide an alternative for bettors who like a team’s season outlook but are not convinced it can win the league.
Arsenal and Manchester City remain the strongest candidates. Arsenal’s continuity gives them an obvious advantage, while City’s squad still contains enough quality to compete near the top even during a managerial transition.
Behind them, Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea make the race much harder to predict.
United finished third last season but must show that their opening loss to Hull was an isolated result. Liverpool have Champions League-level talent but are adapting to new manager Andoni Iraola and have replaced several experienced players.
Chelsea finished only 10th last season, but their summer recruitment gives them a chance. The addition of Morgan Rogers gives manager Xabi Alonso another major attacking option.
EPL Player Markets: Top Scorer, Golden Glove and More
EPL betting predictions don’t have to focus entirely on teams. Player props and futures provide season-long bets covering goals, assists, clean sheets and disciplinary statistics.
The Golden Boot starts with Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker scored 27 goals last season to claim the award for the third time in four seasons. A fourth Golden Boot would put him level with Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah for the most in Premier League history.
“There’s no real argument to be made against Haaland on merit,” Garcia said. “The problem is purely one of price; he offers no value whatsoever at the top of the market.”
Garcia’s value choice for top goalscorer is Joao Pedro from Chelsea at +1400.
“He’s in a system that will generate volume, in a role that should deliver a full season of minutes,” he said. “At that price you only need one clean, uninterrupted campaign for the bet to look shrewd.”
There is also a unique prop to bet on the top goalscorer in 2026 with Haaland removed entirely. Pedro’s odds come in at a solid +750.
“You’re removing the single biggest threat to the bet and still getting a price that reflects genuine uncertainty about who finishes second,” Garcia explained.
For assists, Florian Wirtz of Liverpool is a highlight at +1400. The German-born midfielder had a tough first season in the EPL, and the market has been slow to look past it.
“That’s the opportunity,” Garcia said.
Trading Team 2026-27 English Premier League Tips & Picks
| Bet | Odds |
| Crystal Palace to Relegation | +500 |
| Florian Wirtz Most Assists | +1400 |
| Joao Pedro Top Goalscorer (without Haaland) | +750 |
| Joao Pedro Top Goalscorer (including Haaland) | +1400 |
EPL Betting FAQs
What is EPL soccer?
The English Premier League, or EPL, is the top division of English soccer. Twenty clubs compete over 38 games each, with the team earning the most points crowned champion. The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Championship.
Who won the EPL?
Arsenal won the 2025-26 Premier League, ending a 22-year wait for the title. Mikel Arteta’s team finished with 85 points, seven ahead of Manchester City.
When does the EPL start?
The 2026-27 Premier League season began on Friday, August 21, 2026, with Arsenal defeating Coventry City 3-0. The season concludes on May 30, 2027.
How to bet on the EPL?
Head to Bovada’s EPL odds page to find markets covering individual matches and the full season. Options include the Premier League winner, top-four finishes, relegation, top scorer, and other player props.
How many teams are in the EPL?
There are 20 Premier League clubs. Each plays every other club twice for a 38-game season and 380 total matches. The bottom three are relegated and replaced by three promoted Championship clubs.
What is the EPL?
The English Premier League is the highest level of professional soccer in England. It was created in 1992 when clubs from the old First Division formed a new competition with greater commercial independence.
Twenty clubs play 38 matches each between August and May, creating 380 matches across a full season. Unlike many U.S. pro leagues, there are no playoffs to decide the champion. Teams receive three points for a win and one for a draw, and the club with the most points after 38 games wins the title.
The bottom three clubs are relegated to the Championship and replaced by three promoted teams. Manchester United hold the Premier League record with 13 titles. Visit our soccer hub for more soccer betting coverage.
2025-26 Premier League Final Standings
Arsenal finally broke through after three consecutive runner-up finishes, winning their first Premier League title since 2003-04. Manchester City finished seven points behind them, while Manchester United and Aston Villa completed the top four. At the opposite end, West Ham, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated, with Coventry, Ipswich and Hull replacing them for 2026-27.
2025-26 Premier League: Final Standings (Top 10)
| Pos | Club | Played | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Arsenal (C) | 38 | 26 | 7 | 5 | +44 | 85 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | +42 | 78 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 38 | 20 | 11 | 7 | +19 | 71 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 38 | 19 | 8 | 11 | +7 | 65 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 38 | 17 | 9 | 12 | +10 | 60 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth | 38 | 13 | 18 | 7 | +4 | 57 |
| 7 | Sunderland | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | -6 | 54 |
| 8 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | +6 | 53 |
| 9 | Brentford | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | +3 | 53 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | +6 | 52 |
| 11 | Fulham | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | -4 | 52 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 38 | 14 | 7 | 17 | -2 | 49 |
| 13 | Everton | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | -3 | 49 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | -7 | 47 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | -10 | 45 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest | 38 | 11 | 11 | 17 | -3 | 44 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | -9 | 41 |
| 18 | West Ham United (R) | 38 | 10 | 9 | 19 | -19 | 39 |
| 19 | Burnley (R) | 38 | 4 | 10 | 24 | -37 | 22 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton W. (R) | 38 | 3 | 11 | 24 | -41 | 20 |
Arsenal won the 2025-26 Premier League with 85 points, ending a 22-year title drought. Manchester City finished second (78pts). Relegated: West Ham, Burnley, and Wolves. Promoted: Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Hull City. Source: Premier League official results.