The 2021-22 English Premier League (EPL) begins on Friday, August 5, with Matchday 1 of 38. The opening day of the schedule features defending champion Manchester City against West Ham as well as other key matchups such as Everton vs. Chelsea, Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal, and Fulham vs. Liverpool.
There’s a midseason break this year for the World Cup from November 13 to December 26. The season concludes with Matchday 38 on May 28.
This could be an important date as last year’s top-of-the-table winner (Manchester City) was decided on the final day of the season.
Burnley won’t be playing in the EPL for the first time in seven seasons after it finished in 18th place last season, three points behind Leeds United, and was relegated. Watford and Norwich City were also relegated to the EFL Championship after only one year back in the EPL.
EPL Outright Odds
- Manchester City -175
- Liverpool +220
- Chelsea +1400
- Tottenham +1600
- Manchester United +2900
- Arsenal +4500
- Newcastle +10000
- West Ham +19000
- Leicester City +19000
- Aston Villa +19000
- Brighton +19000
- Nottingham Forest +28000
- Wolves +43000
- Leeds United +43000
- Everton +43000
- Crystal Palace +43000
- Brentford +43000
- Southampton +43000
- Fulham +100000
- Bournemouth +100000
Odds brought to you by BetMGM.
Can Man City Make it Three in a Row?
Manchester City is the overwhelming betting favorite to win the 2022-23 EPL, and with good reason. The team is bringing back much of the same roster from last season, minus key forwards Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) and Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
They replaced those players with the addition of key forwards Erling Haaland and Julián Álvarez for a combined £65 million. They also added defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.
Manchester City won 29 of its 38 games last season and finished with 93 points, one ahead of second-place Liverpool. The team is returning much of the same midfield and defense roster from last season when it allowed only 26 goals. They’ll once again be one of the toughest teams on which to score.
Why Chelsea Should Get More Love
Chelsea has the third-shortest soccer betting odds at +1400 but should be getting a little more love based on their play last season and their offseason additions.
The Blues’ defense and goalkeeping was almost on par with Liverpool and Manchester City last season, while the team finished with an impressive +43 goal differential.
Chelsea’s defense should take another step forward this season with the addition of 31-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly from SSC Napoli (Serie A). The team also bolstered its attacking group with the addition of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
The Three New Teams
Leicester City had 5,000-to-1 odds to win the EPL when they did so in 2016. But don’t expect anything like that to ever happen again.
That means a title is likely out of the question for teams like Aston Villa and Leeds, let alone the three promoted teams: Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth.
Fulham and Bournemouth have both been in the EPL as recently as two seasons ago, but Nottingham Forest returns after a 23-year absence.