Arsenal have made this a two-horse start. They went a goal down to Chelsea inside two minutes at the Emirates on 6 September, won 2-1 through Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, and finished matchweek 3 level with Manchester City on 9 points. City stay top only on goals scored.
SA punters bet more on the EPL than on any other football competition, and it isn't close. Hollywoodbets, Betway and WSB all say it's their top football product by volume. Below you get the table as it stands on 7 September, every matchweek 3 result, the full matchweek 4 list in SAST, and where we'd actually bet.
State of Play: The Table After Matchweek 3
Two sides have won three from three. Manchester City beat Coventry 1-0 to stay top under Enzo Maresca, who was appointed on a three-year deal at the end of June 2026 after leaving Chelsea, per the BBC. Arsenal matched them by beating Chelsea, and the two are split by goals scored, 7 to 6.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the second minute at the Emirates, which was the first goal Arsenal had conceded all season. Havertz levelled on 25 minutes and Odegaard won it five minutes after the break, per Sky Sports.
Third place is still the better story. Hull City came up from the Championship and have taken 7 points from three without conceding a goal. Coventry City came up with them and are bottom on 0 from 3, with nothing scored either.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 |
| 3 | Hull City | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 |
| 5 | Brentford | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 5 |
| 7 | Newcastle United | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 5 |
| 8 | Everton | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 9 | Leeds United | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 |
| 10 | Brighton | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 4 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 3 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 3 |
| 15 | Bournemouth | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 1 |
| 18 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 1 |
| 19 | Fulham | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 0 |
| 20 | Coventry City | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
Table as at 7 September 2026, all 20 clubs on three matches played. Sources: Premier League table and The Guardian results.
The bottom four is where the relegation market gets messy. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have 1 point each and neither has scored a league goal. Fulham and Coventry City are both on 0 from three.
Up front, Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak share the lead on 3 goals each, with fourteen players a goal behind on 2, per NBC Sports. Nobody scored a hat-trick over the weekend and the Golden Boot market has not settled into anything yet.
The promoted trio for 2026/27 are Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City. Three matchweeks in they sit third, 14th and 20th, which is about as wide a spread as three promoted clubs can manage.
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Season Overview
The 2026/27 season follows the standard 38-game format: 20 teams, each playing every other club home and away over 10 months. Three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss. The team with the most points at the end of May 2027 lifts the trophy.
The bottom three go down to the Championship. Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City came up to replace last season's bottom three, and three matches in only Hull look comfortable.
SuperSport holds the SA broadcast rights and covers most Premier League matches. DStv streaming keeps the mobile crowd covered. While the UK is on BST the Saturday block lands at 4pm SAST with the late game at 6:30pm, which is a friendly window if you're betting from home. Title, top scorer, and relegation markets run all the way through to May.
Title Contenders
Three games is a small sample and everyone has now played the same number. We don't publish an outright price we haven't checked ourselves at an SA-licensed bookmaker, so what follows is form and fixtures, not numbers we've made up. Check the live board at your operator before you commit anything.
Three played, three won, seven scored, two conceded. Enzo Maresca arrived at the end of June 2026 on a three-year contract after leaving Chelsea, and so far the change has cost City nothing. The 1-0 win over Coventry was the least convincing of the three. Erling Haaland is on 3 goals. They go to Old Trafford on Sunday 13 September, 17:30 SAST.
Three played, three won, six scored, one conceded. That one came from Morgan Rogers in the second minute on 6 September, and Arsenal still beat Chelsea 2-1 through Havertz and Odegaard. It is the best defensive record in the league and the first genuine test they have passed. They go to Sunderland on Saturday 12 September at 21:00 SAST.
Not a title contender, and we're not pretending otherwise. Hull came up from the Championship and have taken 7 points from three matches without conceding a goal, which is the single best story of the season so far. The relegation market prices promoted clubs on the assumption they go straight back down. Hull have spent three weeks arguing with that assumption. They go to Chelsea on Saturday 12 September at 16:00 SAST.
Eight scored, seven conceded, and a first defeat at the Emirates. Chelsea led inside two minutes and lost 2-1, which is the third time in three games their defence has cost them. The 4-3 win over Brighton on 30 August was the best watch of the season and the worst advert for a Chelsea clean sheet. They host Hull City on Saturday 12 September at 16:00 SAST.
One win and two draws from three, six scored and four conceded. The pattern so far is goals at both ends and points dropped, which matters more for the BTTS and double chance markets than it does for the outright. They host Fulham on Saturday 12 September at 16:00 SAST and travel to Bournemouth on 20 September. Fulham are on 0 points, so anything less than three is a problem.
United led at Goodison through Bryan Mbeumo and again through Benjamin Sesko on 88 minutes, then shipped an Ainsley Maitland-Niles equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 on 6 September. Bruno Fernandes shares the scoring lead on 3 goals. Now they host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday 13 September at 17:30 SAST. We wouldn't put United on an outright shortlist yet.
Betting Markets
The Premier League has the widest market range of any competition SA punters can bet on. Most bookmakers carry 100 markets per match; Sportingbet goes above 300. Here's what each market type offers and where the value tends to sit.
Bet on which team lifts the trophy in May 2027. City and Arsenal are both 9 from 9 and the two prices have converged, so the value now sits with whoever is first to take points off either of them. We only quote outright prices we have verified at an SA bookmaker, so check the live board rather than an old screenshot.
Season-long market on the most league goals. Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak lead on 3 each after three matchweeks, with fourteen players a goal behind. The Golden Boot usually needs 25 to 35 goals, so a three-game lead is noise. What it does tell you is who starts every week and who takes the penalties.
Not every SA bookmaker carries this market, but Betway and Sportingbet do. Creative midfielders and wide players from the top clubs dominate. Players who take free kicks and corners have a structural advantage in the assist count. Worth checking at the start of the season when prices haven't moved yet.
Market on which three teams finish in the bottom three. The promoted clubs are Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City, and they have already split three ways: Hull third on 7, Ipswich 14th on 3, Coventry bottom on 0. Fulham are on 0 points from three as well, and Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are on 1 apiece without a goal between them. The market did not price for that.
Home win, draw, or away win. Home advantage in the Premier League is real but less pronounced than in the Championship or La Liga. Top-six sides win away against mid-table clubs more often than the bookmaker's odds suggest. Draws land most often in mid-table clashes between equally matched sides.
High-odds market on the exact final score. The four most common EPL results (1-0, 1-1, 2-0, 2-1) account for roughly 40% of all matches. Correct score is high variance, but the returns on accumulator combinations are significant. We'd use it sparingly on matches where we have a strong read on the defensive record of both sides.
A yes/no bet on whether both clubs score, regardless of who wins. BTTS Yes lands in roughly 55% of Premier League matches. It runs higher in mid-table fixtures with average defences and lower when a top-six side is defending well at home. Useful for accumulators when you don't want to call the result.
Bet on whether the total goals clear a set line, usually 2.5. The EPL averages 2.7 to 2.9 goals per match, so over 2.5 lands in roughly 60% of fixtures. Lines of 3.5 and 4.5 are also available. Useful when you have a read on defensive frailty but don't want to commit to a match result.
One team gets a goals head start or deficit; the draw is removed as an outcome. Asian handicap can offer better value than standard 1X2 on certain fixtures, particularly when a strong favourite is expected to win but might not cover a larger spread. Available at Betway, 10Bet, and Sportingbet for most EPL matches.
Bet on which player scores first. Centre-forwards who start every game are the reliable picks at shorter odds. Wide players and attacking midfielders offer more value at 8/1 or longer. A team's designated penalty taker has a structural edge. Combined with anytime scorer across a full Saturday, this market is built for accumulator punters.
Available at Betway and Hollywoodbets. Clubs in the bottom half with new ownership and a recent history of managerial change carry the shortest prices. This is a novelty market rather than a value play, but SA football fans follow management stories closely so the interest is real. Don't treat it as a primary strategy bet.
Live EPL Betting
In-play betting on Premier League matches is available at all major SA bookmakers. Markets update in real time; most bookmakers pause odds briefly around goals, corners, and red cards before resettling. The Saturday 4pm SAST block is when most SA punters are live-betting EPL while the UK is on BST, so have your bookmaker app open before kick-off.
The most popular live markets for EPL in SA are:
Cash out: Betway, Hollywoodbets, and WSB offer cash out on selected EPL live markets. It lets you close a bet early for a guaranteed return less than the potential full payout, which is a risk management tool, not a profit strategy. The amount offered adjusts dynamically based on the match state. Use it when your assessment of the game has changed, not just because you're nervous at 85 minutes.
Bet Builder: Betway and Sportingbet offer bet builder for EPL, combining multiple selections from the same match into a single bet. Typical combinations: match result plus BTTS plus a first scorer, all from one game. Bet builder bets are usually not eligible for cash out. The catch is the margins on multi-selection same-game bets run higher than single markets.
Time Zone for SA Viewers
SAST is UTC+2 year-round. The UK runs BST (UTC+1) from late March to late October and GMT (UTC+0) from November to March. That means the gap between SA and UK time shifts from one hour to two hours mid-season. Here's what that means in practice:
- Saturday 3:00pm UK (BST, now): 4:00pm SAST
- Saturday 3:00pm UK (GMT, from late October): 5:00pm SAST
- Saturday 5:30pm UK (BST, now): 6:30pm SAST
- Midweek 8:00pm UK (GMT, winter): 10:00pm SAST
- Sunday 2:00pm UK (BST, now): 3:00pm SAST
Matchweek 4 shows how it works. The Manchester derby kicks off at 16:30 BST on Sunday 13 September, which is 17:30 SAST, and the Monday night game at Elland Road is 20:00 BST, which is 21:00 SAST. From late October, when the UK goes back to GMT, add another hour to both.
Midweek fixtures at 10pm SAST see lower volume but the bettors still active at that hour tend to be more experienced, which affects in-play market liquidity. If you're planning to bet in-play on a weeknight game, have your positions in place before kick-off: markets move fast early.
Best Bookmakers for EPL
We picked these five specifically for EPL coverage: market depth, live in-play functionality, and performance during high-traffic Saturday fixtures. All hold SA provincial gambling licences.
Some operators pay for featured placement, which is always disclosed. Ratings are based on independent testing. Learn more.
SA Time Zone Guide
SAST is UTC+2 all year. The UK shifts between GMT (UTC+0) from November to March and BST (UTC+1) from late March to late October, so the SA-UK time gap changes by one hour mid-season. The table below covers both periods.
| UK Kick-Off | UK Time Zone | SAST Kick-Off | Typical Slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30pm | BST (Aug-Oct, Mar) | 1:30pm SAST | Saturday early |
| 3:00pm | BST (Aug-Oct, Mar) | 4:00pm SAST | Saturday afternoon |
| 5:30pm | BST (Aug-Oct, Mar) | 6:30pm SAST | Saturday evening |
| 2:00pm | BST (Aug-Oct, Mar) | 3:00pm SAST | Sunday afternoon |
| 4:30pm | BST (Aug-Oct, Mar) | 5:30pm SAST | Sunday evening |
| 3:00pm | GMT (Nov-Feb) | 5:00pm SAST | Saturday afternoon |
| 5:30pm | GMT (Nov-Feb) | 7:30pm SAST | Saturday evening |
| 8:00pm | GMT (Nov-Feb) | 10:00pm SAST | Midweek evening |
| 7:45pm | GMT (Nov-Feb) | 9:45pm SAST | Midweek evening |
Most Saturday fixtures land at 4pm and 6:30pm SAST while the UK is on BST, and an hour later once GMT returns in late October. The Christmas and New Year period (26 December to 1 January) produces the heaviest fixture density, with matches on Boxing Day, 28-29 December, and New Year's Day all common. That period generates peak EPL betting volume across SA bookmakers every year without fail.
Key Dates
Results and Matchweek 4 Fixtures
Matchweek 3 ran from 4 to 6 September and produced five draws in ten matches. Here is the full set of results before we get to matchweek 4.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 Sept | Liverpool v Ipswich Town | 2-0 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Newcastle United v Bournemouth | 2-2 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Brighton v Leeds United | 1-1 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Brentford v Sunderland | 1-1 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Fulham v Crystal Palace | 2-3 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur | 0-0 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Manchester City v Coventry City | 1-0 |
| 4 to 5 Sept | Hull City v Aston Villa | 0-0 |
| Sun 6 Sept | Everton v Manchester United | 2-2 |
| Sun 6 Sept | Arsenal v Chelsea | 2-1 |
Matchweek 3 results via The Guardian.
The weekend's two headline games both turned late. Maitland-Niles equalised for Everton in the 96th minute on his debut, per Sky Sports, and Arsenal turned a two-minute deficit into three points. Draw and BTTS punters had a good weekend.
Matchweek 4: 12 to 14 September
| Date | Fixture | SAST |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 12 Sept | Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest | 16:00 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Bournemouth v Brentford | 16:00 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Chelsea v Hull City | 16:00 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town | 16:00 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Liverpool v Fulham | 16:00 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Tottenham Hotspur v Everton | 18:30 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Sunderland v Arsenal | 21:00 |
| Sun 13 Sept | Coventry City v Brighton | 15:00 |
| Sun 13 Sept | Manchester United v Manchester City | 17:30 |
| Mon 14 Sept | Leeds United v Newcastle United | 21:00 |
Matchweek 4 kick-offs via the BBC, converted from UK time. The UK is one hour behind SAST until late October.
Manchester United v Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday 13 September at 17:30 SAST is the fixture of the round, and it's Maresca's first derby. Chelsea v Hull City tells us whether Hull's start is real, and Sunderland v Arsenal under the Saturday night lights is a nastier trip than the table suggests.
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest pairs two sides who have managed two goals between them all season, so the under 2.5 line is worth a look before the price shortens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Premier League table stand right now?
Manchester City and Arsenal are both on 9 points from three matches, with City top on goals scored. Hull City are third on 7 and Chelsea fourth on 6. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have 1 point each. Fulham and Coventry City have 0.
Who is the Manchester City manager for the 2026/27 season?
Enzo Maresca. He was appointed at the end of June 2026 on a three-year contract after leaving Chelsea, and this is City's first season with a new manager since 2015/16.
Which clubs were promoted to the Premier League for 2026/27?
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City. Three matchweeks in they have split three ways: Hull City are third on 7 points, Ipswich Town are 14th on 3, and Coventry City are bottom on 0.
Who is leading the Premier League scoring charts?
Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak, on 3 goals each after three matchweeks. Fourteen players sit a goal behind on 2.
How many teams are in the Premier League?
The Premier League has 20 teams. At the end of each season the bottom three are relegated to the Championship and replaced by three promoted sides.
What time do Premier League matches kick off in South Africa?
SAST is UTC+2 all year. While the UK is on BST, from late March to late October, a Saturday 3:00pm UK kick-off is 4:00pm SAST and a 5:30pm UK kick-off is 6:30pm SAST. Once the UK returns to GMT in late October those become 5:00pm and 7:30pm SAST, and midweek 8:00pm UK matches become 10:00pm SAST.
Which SA bookmakers have the best EPL coverage?
For market depth: Betway and Sportingbet, with Sportingbet carrying 300+ markets per match including player props. For volume and familiarity: Hollywoodbets. For Asian handicap pricing: 10Bet. For live cash out and outright season markets: WSB. Using two of these covers most EPL betting situations.
Can I bet on EPL matches live in South Africa?
Yes. All major SA-licensed bookmakers offer in-play betting on EPL matches. Live markets include match result, next goal, total goals, Asian handicap, and anytime scorer. Cash out is available on selected markets at Betway, Hollywoodbets, and WSB. Bet builder (pre-match) is available at Betway and Sportingbet.
What is Asian handicap betting in the EPL?
Asian handicap removes the draw from match betting. One team gets a goals advantage or deficit and you bet on whether they beat that line. Arsenal at -0.5 means they must win outright. Arsenal at -1.5 means they must win by two or more. Reducing outcomes from three to two typically improves value. Available at Betway, 10Bet, and Sportingbet.
What does BTTS mean in football betting?
BTTS stands for Both Teams to Score. You're betting that both sides score at least once in 90 minutes; the actual result doesn't matter. BTTS Yes lands in roughly 55% of Premier League fixtures, which makes it one of the more reliable individual legs in accumulator building. The rate is higher in mid-table fixtures and lower when a top-six side is defending well at home.
When does the January transfer window open for the 2026/27 EPL season?
The mid-season window runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 January 2027. The summer window shuts on deadline day in late August each year, about three weeks after the opening weekend, so squads are settled until January. Transfer activity can shift outright and relegation prices sharply.
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