Games To Keep An Eye On In September

With the 2025-26 Premier League season off to a flying start, fans and pundits are already making early-season predictions about who will be crowned champions.

While some teams have looked superb and others clearly have room for improvement, we still need a bigger sample size to truly determine who are legitimate contenders for English football’s biggest prize.

With that in mind, read on as we dissect some key upcoming fixtures and how their results could significantly impact the football betting odds for the remainder of the season.

Arsenal vs Manchester City – September 21

As the Premier League calendar turns to September, the footballing world is bracing for one of the most consequential fixtures of the early season: Manchester City vs. Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Though it’s early in the 2025-26 campaign, both teams know the value of a win in what could prove to be a “six-pointer” in the title race. With only a few points typically separating the top two or three sides by May, these head-to-head encounters often serve as turning points.

City boasted a fantastic record against the Gunners between 2017 and 2023, with the Sky Blues winning 15 from 16 fixtures across all competitions. Their two wins over Arsenal late in the 2022-23 season were particularly of note, as Pep Guardiola’s side managed to overcome a 12-point deficit to Arsenal in the table at Christmas to win the league.

However, Arsenal have had the wood over City in recent seasons, with the north London club going unbeaten in their last five games, including three wins. Can they continue their recent winning ways against Manchester City? Or will the visitors step up to the occasion as they have done on so many occasions previously? We will find out on September 21.

Chelsea vs Liverpool – October 4

This game, taking place in Matchweek 7 of the 2025–26 season, provides a litmus test for both teams’ title ambitions. Liverpool, the reigning champions under Arne Slot in his impressive debut season, will look to maintain dominance.

On the other hand, Chelsea, riding a wave of optimism after a strong finish to last season—including clinching Champions League qualification and triumphing in the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup finals—are eager to assert themselves among the contenders.

Chelsea got the better of Liverpool when these two sides last met, with goals from Enzo Hernandez, Jarrell Quansah’s own goal, and Cole Palmer helping the Blues secure a dominant 3-1 win over the Reds at Stamford Bridge.

That said, Mohamed Salah and Co. had won the three previous meetings—a 4-1 thumping of Chelsea in January last year was their most dominant performance.

Liverpool vs Manchester United – October 19

While the North West Derby is always a highlight of the calendar, this season’s October 19 clash carries unique importance. Both clubs are in a period of transformation, with Liverpool attempting to re-establish themselves as the league’s best under Slot, while Manchester United are hoping that their summer rebuild finally brings stability and progress.

With the top four race expected to be tighter than ever, neither side can afford to drop points in high-profile fixtures like this one. October’s match could help shape not just form and momentum, but also narratives about where these giants stand in the league hierarchy.

Three of the last five match-ups between these rivals across all competitions have resulted in draws, with Liverpool and United claiming a win apiece in the other two.