English Premier League Predictions - 23 August, Matchday 1
This Premier League Matchday 1 preview breaks down three key fixtures. Brighton, in strong pre-season form, are predicted to earn a score draw versus Aston Villa, who have faltered recently. Manchester City are heavily favored to continue their home dominance against Bournemouth, with both teams expected to score. Newcastle, despite regular goals, are tipped to fall to Liverpool—who possess a strong head-to-head record—though Newcastle are expected to net. The recommendations: City and Liverpool to both win in 'Both Teams To Score', and Brighton to draw.
- Brighton have lost four of five home matches to Aston Villa.
- Man City to make it 12 straight home wins over Bournemouth.
- Newcastle have scored six goals in their last three home matches against Liverpool.
Brighton's Diego Gomez (Getty Images).
English Premier League Predictions - 23 August 2026, Matchday 1
- English Premier League Predictions - 23 August 2026, Matchday 1
- Brighton vs Aston Villa
- Manchester City vs Bournemouth
- Newcastle vs Liverpool
Brighton vs Aston Villa
Villa had a great season in 2025/26 but inconsistency at the end denied them a Top 3 spot. In pre-season they pulled off back-to-back 3-1 victories but followed it up with a trio of 2-1 defeats to Bayern Munich, PSG and B. Monchengladbach.
Brighton also did well last season and grabbed a spot in Europe. They are undefeated in pre-season, scoring eight goals to three, and have kept clean sheets in their last three matches. They have a poor home record against Villa, but considering the poor form of the visitors and Brighton’s form in front of goal I’m backing a score draw.
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Bournemouth finished sixth in the Premier League last season after a great campaign and they have had a strong pre-season, with three wins being followed by a draw and a defeat in their last match. They have scored 22 goals in their five pre-season matches, but they haven’t been playing Champions League sides, so that shouldn’t get you backing them to take the Premier League, but their confidence and fluidity should be high.
City are under new leadership and have lost three of their last five matches, including a gut-wrenching 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield. At home City are just on another level, and Bournemouth have been their punching bag in recent years, with City winning all 11 of their home clashes with The Cherries. Bournemouth have shipped 38 goals and scoring just eight away to City, so it looks like a big City win loading with both teams to score.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
Newcastle just can’t seem to build up steam, losing four of their last five matches pre-season, including the last three on the bounce. The positives are a good away win over Valencia (2-1) and the fact that they have scored in all five matches, but I don’t have confidence in their ability to pull off a win over Liverpool.
Liverpool soaked up defeats to Leeds (4-2) and Monaco (3-2) but kept clean sheets in their double-header clash with Como (0-0 and 2-0). The Reds have won their last three Premier League matches against Newcastle and have taken 10 points from their last four, so it looks like a Liverpool win but with Newcastle to score - The Magpies have scored eight goals in their last five matches with Liverpool, failing to score just once, at Anfield.
Verdict
Brighton to earn a big draw against Aston Villa, Man City to win at home again to Bournemouth and Newcastle to score but go down to Liverpool.
Manchester City Win
Both Teams To Score
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Liverpool Win
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Brighton Draw
Result
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