The 2026/27 Premier League campaign has officially gotten underway, and already there are a slew of talking points right across the league. Defending champions Arsenal kicked off their title defense in perfect fashion as they handily dispatched newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates; goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and captain Martin Ødegaard secured a 3-0 win. Xabi Alonso’s new-look Chelsea side also looked imperious as they beat neighbors Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage, with the talismanic Cole Palmer delivering a sensational display as he looked to prove that he’s back to his very best.
But after their stunning start on opening night, it’s no surprise to see that online betting sites consider the defending champions the clear favorites to successfully claim back-to-back titles. The latest odds from Lucky Rebel Sportsbook currently make the Gunners the clear even money frontrunner, with Manchester City behind at 4/1, while odds on Chelsea have been slashed all the way down to 6/1. But while Arsenal and their rivals from Stamford Bridge enjoyed impressive performances on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, some of the division’s other big boys certainly did not.
Spurs
Hopes were high surrounding Tottenham Hotspur in 2026/27. Yes, the club has finished each of the last two campaigns way down in 17th place, finishing just two points clear of the relegation zone last term, but the appointment of the highly rated Roberto De Zerbi had done plenty to galvanize the white half of North London.
The Italian boss forked out over £350m on the signings of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savinho, and Jan Paul van Hecke, while the free transfers of both Marcos Senesi and Andrew Robertson also drew widespread acclaim from both pundits and opposition supporters alike. However, the opening game of the season has proven that Spurs have plenty of work still to do.
De Zerbi’s side were tasked with heading across the capital to face a Brentford team that far surpassed expectations last term. Bookies made the visitors a 3/1 underdog, providing the opportunity for punters to attempt to cash in at somewhat lengthy odds, with the “Spurs or draw” selection in the double chance market still a relatively lengthy 7/10 shot. In the end, however, it was the bookmakers who were proven right.
Brentford took the lead after just 12 minutes when Keane Lewis-Potter struck before Vitaly Janelt doubled the advantage 21 minutes later. Four minutes after the break, Michael Kayode completed the rout, but it was less so the 3-0 defeat and more so the stats that truly set the alarm bells ringing. Spurs were mauled from the outset, managing just nine shots in comparison to the Bees’ whopping 24, and most of Tottenham’s efforts came when they were 3-0 down, and the game was already over.
With crunch clashes against the likes of Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Chelsea all looming on the horizon, De Zerbi will know in no uncertain terms that things must improve quickly or he could come under immense pressure. Luckily, if the rumor mill is to be believed, he may well have some assistance at the top end of the pitch with a deal for Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush expected to be completed before the transfer window slams shut.
Aston Villa
No Premier League team has been picked apart more than Aston Villa this summer. After finishing in the top five in two of the last three seasons, as well as winning the UEFA Europa League last term, manager Unai Emery was always going to have suitors for his best players. But not even he could have expected just how badly his team would be stripped for parts.
Star player Morgan Rogers, captain Ezri Konsa, key deep-lying playmaker Youri Tielemans, highly rated goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and experienced left back Lucas Digne have all left the club, as have fringe players such as Donyell Malen and Enzo Barrenechea. The Villans have raked in over £270m in player sales, and they have attempted to plug some of the gaps with the additions of the likes of Johan Manzambi, João Gomes, and Matteo Ruggeri, but that clearly hasn’t been enough just yet.
Villa headed down to the South Coast to face a Brighton team that has enjoyed plenty of continuity in recent seasons, and the cohesion was clear for all to see on matchday one. The Seagulls ripped apart Emery’s side from the outset, taking the lead in the eighth minute through a Victor Lindelöf own goal and never letting their foot off the gas. They were four goals up after just 33 minutes when Maxim De Cuyper netted alongside a brace from Jack Hinselwood, ending any hopes of a Villa comeback before they truly got started.
Will Villa get better once their new additions have time to gel? Or are more new faces required for Villa to be able to deliver another top five finish this term? Considering the fact that they will also be competing in the Champions League this season, the latter seems to be the most likely answer, and Emery will have to act fast, with the transfer window set to close in the near future.
