A busy month of Premier League action is scheduled for September, with huge matchups seeing Arsenal host Chelsea, as well as the small matter of the first Manchester Derby of the 2026-27 season.
Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth as Liverpool manager also catches the eye between matchdays three and five. Here’s the form guide and the best bets across the month.
Early Season Form: Who’s Ahead After Two Matches?
It has been business as usual for two of the favourites for the Premier League title in 2026-27, with reigning champions Arsenal and Manchester City enjoying perfect starts to the campaign. Chelsea have also had a successful beginning under Xabi Alonso, winning back-to-back fixtures and scoring seven goals overall.
The new campaign has been a challenge for Michael Carrick, but Manchester United bounced back emphatically on MD2 with a dominant 5-2 win over Ipswich. Andoni Iraola will need more time to settle in at Liverpool after underwhelming successive draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest to kick off the season.
Hull City have been the surprise package in the early weeks, despite being favourites to finish bottom of the Premier League standings. The Tigers have won back-to-back fixtures to nil against Man United and Coventry City to sit third in the table.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: MD3 (Sun 6 Sep)
The initial heavyweight showdown of the 2026-27 season will be staged on the first Sunday in September, when Xabi Alonso takes his Chelsea team to the Emirates to face Arsenal. It will be the first big test of the Blues and their potential title credentials for the remainder of the campaign.
The defending EPL champions will be heavily preferred to maintain their dominant start to the campaign, having won back-to-back encounters without conceding. Arsenal’s chances will be enhanced because the Gunners are unbeaten in their last 12 against Chelsea.
Alonso’s attacking style of play will create a unique outlook on this fixture, as Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the EPL, and the Gunners are widely considered to be the best defensive team in world football. At odds of 1.69, Arsenal will be difficult to oppose based on their defensive prowess and their dominant head-to-head record against their London rivals.
Manchester Derby: Man United vs Man City (MD4, Sat 13 Sep)
The standout Premier League fixture in September is set for Old Trafford on MD4, as Manchester United host Manchester City in the first Manchester Derby of the 2026-27 season. It will be Enzo Maresca’s first taste of the clash, while Michael Carrick memorably won his return fixture as coach at the Theatre of Dreams in the Derby in January.
No team picked up more points than Man United following Carrick’s appointment, while this Derby will be the first huge challenge for Maresca as City boss since losing the Community Shield 3-0 against Arsenal.
Bruno Fernandes has been in excellent form for the Red Devils, registering four goal involvements in two EPL appearances. Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki has racked up four goal involvements in the same number of appearances.
United have avoided defeat in five of their last six against City, ensuring value in the home win and draw in the Double Chance market at TonyBet odds of 1.62.
Iraola’s Return to Bournemouth: Liverpool at Bournemouth (MD5, Sat 20 Sep)
Andoni Iraola enjoyed two excellent seasons at Bournemouth, leading the Cherries to their first European finish in 2025-26 before departing for Liverpool. The Spaniard will likely be given a warm welcome on his return to the Vitality Stadium on 20 September, as the Reds bid to hit their stride following back-to-back draws.
Bradley Barcola’s arrival will enhance their attacking output, but the fact that Liverpool have conceded at least twice in the opening two rounds makes them vulnerable against the counterattacking Cherries.
The visitors boast a dominant head-to-head record against the Cherries, winning nine of their last 12 at the Vitality Stadium, while Bournemouth have won just three of their overall 22 meetings against the Reds. Therefore, at the likely TonyBet odds available, it could be a winning return to the South Coast for Iraola at the end of the month.
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