EPL Matchweek Picks Starting October 17, 2026

The English Premier League returns this weekend with ten matches spread across Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Manchester City has won all six league games and sits three points ahead of defending champion Arsenal. Brighton has climbed into third place, while Brentford and Everton remain unbeaten. Liverpool and Manchester United, meanwhile, have some catching up to do.

There are several interesting betting spots. Chelsea has scored plenty but can’t seem to keep a clean sheet, Brentford gets a struggling Liverpool side at home, and Manchester United faces a Leeds team that has been considerably tougher to beat. We’ll make one selection from each game and finish with our EPL Best Bet of the Week. For more soccer predictions, check out our free soccer picks throughout the season.

Everton vs. Chelsea Best Bet

Everton has quietly put together a decent start. The Toffees are unbeaten through six games at 2-4-0 and have conceded only five goals. Four draws tell you they haven’t been particularly good at finishing games, but they’re difficult to beat. Last week’s 2-2 draw at Hull was another example. Chelsea comes in with the same ten points after hammering Bournemouth 5-1, although its defense has allowed 13 goals in six matches.

Chelsea’s attacking production makes the visitors dangerous, but I have trouble trusting a team that’s conceding better than two goals per game. Everton has been much more organized defensively, and playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium gives the home side an opportunity to slow Chelsea down. The Blues have the stronger attack, but Everton’s ability to stay competitive makes the three-way moneyline interesting.

Best Bet: Draw (+275 or Better)

Everton has already drawn four of its six matches, and Chelsea’s defensive problems make it difficult to trust the visitors to finish the job. The Toffees don’t score enough to make an outright home victory particularly attractive, but they have enough defensive discipline to frustrate Chelsea. A 1-1 or 2-2 result wouldn’t surprise me. The concern is Chelsea’s ability to score several goals quickly, but the draw offers an appealing return given Everton’s unbeaten start.

EPL Best Bet: Everton-Chelsea Draw (+275 or Better)

Brentford vs. Liverpool Best Bet

Brentford enters Saturday unbeaten at 2-4-0 and has scored 12 goals through six matches. The Bees drew 2-2 at Aston Villa last weekend and have been difficult to break down despite occasionally struggling to protect leads. Liverpool has nine points and is coming off a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City. The Reds have scored only seven league goals, and injuries and suspensions have complicated their efforts to find consistent attacking combinations.

Liverpool’s reputation still carries weight in the betting market, but its performances haven’t justified much confidence. Brentford is playing at home, has scored five more league goals and has avoided defeat through six matches. The Bees have drawn too frequently, which is the biggest concern when backing them outright.

Best Bet: Brentford Moneyline (+140 or Better)

I’m taking Brentford at home. Liverpool hasn’t been scoring consistently, and its attacking absences make breaking down a disciplined opponent even more difficult. Brentford has enough offensive production to take advantage of Liverpool’s defensive mistakes, particularly if the Reds become too aggressive trying to force the game. The draw is a legitimate danger, but getting +140 or better with an unbeaten home team against a Liverpool side that just lost 3-0 is worth the risk.

EPL Best Bet: Brentford Moneyline (+140 or Better)

Fulham vs. Hull City Best Bet

Fulham has been one of the league’s biggest disappointments, sitting bottom of the table with two points from six games. The Cottagers lost 2-1 at Ipswich last weekend and have struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Hull has nine points despite entering the season as a promoted club. The Tigers drew 2-2 with Everton last weekend and have been considerably more competitive than many expected.

Fulham is favored around -140, which is difficult to justify for a team that hasn’t won. Hull hasn’t been particularly dependable defensively either, allowing two goals in each of its last three matches. Both teams have reasons to believe they can win, but neither has demonstrated enough consistency to make the favorite’s price attractive.

Best Bet: Hull City Double Chance — Win or Draw (-110 or Better)

Fulham’s inability to finish games makes Hull an interesting option with the draw included. The visitors have lost only once in six league matches, while Fulham is still searching for its first victory. Hull doesn’t need to dominate possession or create a large number of opportunities to make this work. The concern is that Fulham is desperate for a win and could finally turn its attacking chances into goals. Still, I’d rather back Hull to avoid defeat than lay a substantial price with the league’s bottom club.

EPL Best Bet: Hull City Double Chance (-110 or Better)

Manchester City vs. Ipswich Town Best Bet

Manchester City has been perfect through six league matches, scoring 16 goals while conceding only five. Last weekend’s 3-0 victory at Liverpool was particularly impressive because City controlled the game against an opponent that normally expects to compete for the title. Ipswich has nine points and beat Fulham 2-1 last weekend, but the visitors have conceded 12 goals through six matches.

City is an enormous favorite, with the moneyline around -455. That’s not a price I’m interested in laying. Ipswich has been competitive against weaker opponents, but its defensive problems are difficult to overlook against the league leaders. City has scored three or more goals in each of its last two league matches, and Ipswich has allowed an average of two per game.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 Goals (-105 or Better)

Manchester City has enough attacking talent to score three or four goals without much help from Ipswich. The visitors have been allowing too many opportunities, and facing the league’s most consistent team at the Etihad is a difficult assignment. Ipswich could contribute a goal if City becomes careless defensively, but this wager primarily depends on the home side’s offense. The concern is that City takes an early lead and slows the game down. Even so, the matchup makes the over worth considering at a reasonable price.

EPL Best Bet: Manchester City-Ipswich Over 3.5 Goals (-105 or Better)

Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa Best Bet

Newcastle returns home after a disappointing 4-1 defeat at Coventry. The Magpies have eight points through six matches but have conceded 13 goals, and their defense has been particularly vulnerable at St James’ Park. Aston Villa hasn’t been much better defensively, allowing 11 goals while collecting only five points. Villa drew 2-2 with Brentford last weekend and has struggled to establish consistent league form.

Both clubs have enough attacking ability to punish defensive mistakes, and neither has shown much ability to prevent them. Newcastle’s home advantage makes the Magpies a slight favorite, but the defensive problems on both sides make the total more appealing than choosing a winner.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score — Yes (-125 or Better)

Newcastle has conceded 13 goals, and Aston Villa has allowed 11. Those numbers aren’t encouraging for anyone expecting a defensive contest. Newcastle should create opportunities at home, but Villa has enough attacking talent to respond against a defense that just surrendered four goals to Coventry. The danger is that one team struggles to finish its chances, particularly with Villa’s inconsistent league offense. Still, both defenses have been vulnerable enough to make goals at each end the preferred approach.

EPL Best Bet: Newcastle-Aston Villa Both Teams to Score — Yes (-125 or Better)

Bournemouth vs. Sunderland Best Bet

Bournemouth is still searching for its first league victory after six matches. The Cherries have collected only three points and are coming off a 5-1 defeat to Chelsea. Sunderland has four points and has lost three consecutive matches, including a 2-0 home defeat to Brighton. Both clubs have struggled to generate consistent offense, and neither enters Sunday with much confidence.

The moneyline is close, with Bournemouth a slight favorite. That’s understandable given home-field advantage, but laying money with a winless team isn’t particularly appealing. Sunderland hasn’t shown enough to justify backing the visitors outright either. This looks like a matchup where avoiding another defeat could become more important than taking chances.

Best Bet: Draw (+255 or Better)

Neither team has been playing well enough to deserve much confidence. Bournemouth has struggled to finish scoring opportunities, while Sunderland has lost three straight and hasn’t demonstrated enough attacking consistency to make an away victory attractive. A 1-1 result fits the recent form of both clubs. The biggest concern is that defensive mistakes could hand one team an easy goal, but the draw offers the better return in a matchup between two struggling sides.

EPL Best Bet: Bournemouth-Sunderland Draw (+255 or Better)

Brighton vs. Crystal Palace Best Bet

Brighton has been one of the Premier League’s biggest surprises, collecting 13 points through six matches and scoring a league-leading 18 goals. The Seagulls have won three consecutive league games by scores of 5-0, 3-0 and 2-0. Crystal Palace beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 last weekend, but Palace has allowed opponents too many shooting opportunities during the opening weeks.

Brighton is favored around -175, a reasonable price given the difference in form. The concern is Brighton’s injury situation, with several regular contributors unavailable. Palace also has a history of making this rivalry difficult, particularly away from home. Still, Brighton’s attacking production and recent defensive improvement give the home side a meaningful advantage.

Best Bet: Brighton Moneyline (-175 or Better)

I’m willing to lay the price with Brighton. Three consecutive victories without conceding a goal is impressive, particularly when those wins have produced ten goals. Palace has enough offensive ability to make this uncomfortable, and Brighton’s injuries are worth monitoring. But the Seagulls have been more productive and more reliable defensively, and home advantage makes them the preferred side at -175 or better.

EPL Best Bet: Brighton Moneyline (-175 or Better)

Leeds United vs. Manchester United Best Bet

Leeds suffered its first league defeat last weekend, losing 2-1 at Arsenal. The result was disappointing, but Leeds has still collected nine points and has conceded only five goals through six matches. Manchester United sits 13th with six points after drawing 1-1 with Tottenham. United also lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, extending its winless streak across all competitions.

Manchester United has generated plenty of shots but hasn’t converted enough opportunities. Leeds has been more organized defensively and has been particularly difficult to beat at Elland Road. The visitors have the talent to produce a better performance, but their recent results make backing them away from home difficult.

Best Bet: Leeds United Moneyline (+145 or Better)

Leeds is the side I want in this matchup. The home team has been more dependable defensively, while Manchester United has struggled to finish chances despite creating opportunities. Leeds also has the advantage of playing at Elland Road against a rival dealing with a demanding schedule and defensive injury concerns. The draw is a legitimate possibility, but getting approximately +145 with the better-performing team at home makes Leeds worth backing.

EPL Best Bet: Leeds United Moneyline (+145 or Better)

Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal Best Bet

Arsenal enters Sunday with five victories from six matches and sits second in the table. The defending champions beat Leeds 2-1 last weekend and have conceded only five league goals. Nottingham Forest has struggled to turn attacking opportunities into results, scoring just five goals through six matches. Forest lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace last weekend and enters with only five points.

Arsenal has the stronger overall team, but the visitors are dealing with defensive injury concerns. Forest has also been more competitive in terms of creating chances than its goal total suggests. The moneyline makes Arsenal a substantial favorite, while the total offers a more interesting way to approach a matchup that could become fairly cautious.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-110 or Better)

Arsenal has conceded only five goals, and Forest has struggled to finish its opportunities. That combination makes a lower-scoring game appealing, particularly with Forest likely to approach the matchup cautiously against the defending champions. Arsenal has enough quality to win without turning this into a high-scoring contest. The danger is that Forest’s defensive mistakes create early opportunities, forcing the home team to open up. Still, a 1-0 or 2-0 Arsenal victory is a reasonable expectation.

EPL Best Bet: Nottingham Forest-Arsenal Under 2.5 Goals (-110 or Better)

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Coventry City Best Bet

Tottenham has endured a miserable start, collecting only three points through six matches without recording a victory. Spurs have scored just three league goals and drew 1-1 at Manchester United last weekend. Coventry, meanwhile, has won two consecutive matches, including an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle. The promoted club has shown it can cause problems when opponents give it space to counterattack.

Tottenham is favored around -208, a surprisingly expensive price for a team that hasn’t won. Coventry has struggled defensively at times, but its direct attacking approach could cause problems for a Spurs side that has had difficulty breaking down opponents. The visitors don’t need to control possession to make this competitive.

Best Bet: Coventry City Double Chance — Win or Draw (+150 or Better)

I’m not interested in laying more than -200 with a Tottenham team that has scored only three goals in six league matches. Coventry has been more productive recently and has enough confidence from its victory over Newcastle to challenge Spurs. Tottenham could finally produce a convincing performance at home, and that remains the obvious risk. But Coventry doesn’t need to win outright for this wager to succeed. With the draw included, the visitors offer the more attractive betting position at the right price.

EPL Best Bet: Coventry City Double Chance (+150 or Better)

EPL Best Bet of the Week

Of the ten selections, Brentford Moneyline at +140 or better against Liverpool earns our EPL Best Bet of the Week. Brentford has avoided defeat through six league matches, scored 12 goals and demonstrated enough defensive discipline to frustrate stronger opponents. Liverpool has collected fewer points, scored only seven league goals and enters with several attacking injury concerns.

The biggest concern is Brentford’s tendency to draw matches. Four of its six league games have finished level, and Liverpool still has enough quality to make this difficult. But the Bees have been the more consistent team, and home advantage makes the plus-money return attractive.

EPL Best Bet of the Week: Brentford Moneyline (+140 or Better)

Betting prices, injuries and starting lineups may change before kickoff. These selections reflect the information available on October 16, 2026. Confirm current odds and team news before placing a wager.