Three more English Premier League matches take place on Sunday and we nail up our bets for Brighton vs Aston Villa, Man City vs Bournemouth and Newcastle vs Liverpool
Brighton vs Aston Villa
Brighton’s season started in midweek as they are involved in the Europa Conference League play offs and they played out a 0-0 draw at Tromso. Jan Paul van Hecke left to join Tottenham fro £52m with Luka Vuskovic coming in from the same club for a similar price. Danny welbeck has moved on and Minteh and Baleba are linked with big money moves that may or may not happen.
Villa won the UEFA Europa League last season and also finished fourth in the EPL and they will be in the Champions League this season with Unai Emery remaining in charge. They have brought in João Gomes from Wolves, Swiss midfield Johan Manzambi (currently injured) from Freiburg and Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea. Heading out they have lost Lucas Digne to PSG, Morgan Rogers joined Chalsea and Youri Tielemans is now with Man United. Ezri Konsa is expected to join Arsenal any day now and Ollie Watkins has also been linked with a move. Villa’s pre-season included the Uefa Super Cup which they lost 2-1 with PSG last week.
Verdict:
Villa’s transfer business looks like it has made them weaker whilst Brighton haven’t turned too many heads with there business so far and this is another tricky call on the opening weekend. I’ll sit on the fence and call a draw.
Bet: Match result draw at 5/2 with Sportingbet
Man City vs Bournemouth
City were still in the title race until the final two rounds of matches last season. As runner s up they were still 7 points clear of third placed Manchester United and they also banked the League Cup and FA Cup trophies.
They have brought in Elliot Anderson from Forest for £116m but heading out Rodri to Barcelona for £65.4m, James Trafford to Leeds, £40m, and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah, for £51m. Nathan Ake to Fenerbahce (£8.5m), Manuel Akanji to Inter Milan (undisclosed), John Stones to Inter Milan (free) and Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid (free) are other departures who new coach Enzo Maresca will not be able to call on. City are 3/1 second favourites to win the title bu they looked way short of Arsenal’s level in the Community Shield in Cardiff last week, a game they lost 3-0.
Bournemouth finished sixth last season and will play in the Europa League. They have lost coach Andoni Iraola to Liverpool and Marco Rose is the new boss. Marcos Senesi left to join Spurs whilst new arrivals include Antonio Silva from Benfica (£25.7m), Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche (£21m) and Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla (£11.2m), Young striker Eli Junior Kroupi who was so impressive last season is a longer term injury absentee.
Verdict:
City were way off the pace in the Community Shield and the already lengthy loist of departures looks likely to grow with MArmoush and Savinho reportedly on their way out. Bournemouth have a knack of picking up bargains but their key arrival this season could be the new coach who has a class act to follow and an 18 match unbeaten run to extend.
I’ll go with Semenyo to score against his former club
Bet: Any time goalscorer Semenyo at 15/10 with Lucky Fish
Newcastle vs Liverpool
It’s all change at Newcastle who had a poor season in 2025/26. Eddie Howe left and has been replaced by Matthias Jaissle and he has lost lost the services of 3 big guns, Sandro Tonali to Spurs for £100m, Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal for £75m and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69.3m. Replacements are young and well thought of but not necesarily household names just yet.
Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot after Liverpool failed to impress in finishing fifth in 2025/26. Salah, Robertson and Konate have all departed and we wait to see who will join new arrivals Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes (£60m), Ronald Araujo on loan from Barca and Victor Munoz from Osasuna ( £34.5m).
Verdict:
Isak leading the Liverpool line at st. James Park could add to the interest and with Newcastle fans already sore after the high profiles transfers out, their former striker could rub salt in the wounds.
Bet: Anytime goalscorer Isak at 14/10 with Sportingbet
Prices are subject to change