The English Premier League is the most watched football league on the planet. Every weekend from August to May, millions of South Africans tune in, and many of them place a bet. Online sportsbooks offer odds on every match. This guide explains how the league works, the most popular bets and some simple tips to help you bet smarter.
- 20 clubs, each playing 38 matches (home and away against every other team)
- The season runs from August to May
- Arsenal won the 2025/26 title, their first in 22 years
- Manchester United have won the most Premier League titles, with 13
- The bottom three clubs are relegated each season
How the Premier League Works
The Premier League began in 1992, when the top clubs broke away from the old Football League. Today, 20 clubs take part each season. Each club plays every other club twice, once at home and once away. That makes 38 matches per team and 380 in total.
Teams get three points for a win and one for a draw. At the end of the season, the club with the most points lifts the trophy. Meanwhile, the bottom three are relegated to the Championship and replaced by three promoted clubs.
The top of the table also matters for Europe. The top clubs qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and in recent seasons England has earned an extra place thanks to strong European results. As a result, the race for the top four or five is often as exciting as the title race.
What happened to “Barclays”?
For many years the league was known as the Barclays Premier League, after its title sponsor. That deal ended in 2016. Since then, it has simply been called the Premier League, although many fans still use the old name.
Premier League Title Winners
Only a handful of clubs have ever won the Premier League. Manchester United dominated the early years, while Manchester City ruled the last decade. In 2025/26, Arsenal finally ended a 22-year wait to be crowned champions again.
| Club | Premier League titles |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | 13 |
| Manchester City | 8 |
| Chelsea | 5 |
| Arsenal | 4 |
| Liverpool | 2 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1 |
| Leicester City | 1 |
Leicester City’s title in 2015/16 is still one of the greatest shocks in sport. Bookmakers had them as 5000/1 outsiders before the season started. It is a good reminder that anything can happen in football.
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Understanding Premier League Odds
South African bookmakers usually show decimal odds. They are easy to read. Simply multiply your stake by the odds to see your total return, including your stake.
For example, imagine a match between a top club and a mid-table side. The odds might look like this:
| Result | Decimal odds | R100 bet returns | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home win | 1.55 | R155 | 65% |
| Draw | 4.20 | R420 | 24% |
| Away win | 6.00 | R600 | 17% |
Notice that the implied chances add up to more than 100%. That extra slice is the bookmaker’s margin. As a result, it pays to compare odds at a few bookmakers, because the margin varies from site to site.
Popular Premier League Bets
There are hundreds of markets on every Premier League match. Here are the ones South African punters use most.
| Bet type | What you are betting on | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Match result (1X2) | Home win, draw or away win | The most popular bet. Simple and low margin. |
| Double chance | Two of the three results, for example home win or draw | Safer, but the odds are lower. |
| Both teams to score | Whether both sides score at least one goal | Great for matches between attacking teams. |
| Over/under goals | Whether the total goals are over or under a line, such as 2.5 | Check each team’s scoring record first. |
| Handicap | A team wins after a goal start or deficit is applied | Useful when there is a big favourite. |
| Goalscorer | A player to score first, last or at any time | Fun, but check team news for line-ups. |
| Outright winner | Who wins the league, top four or relegation | Your money is tied up for months. |
In-play betting
Most South African bookmakers also offer live betting on Premier League matches. Odds change as the game unfolds. This can be exciting, and sometimes you can spot value. However, prices move fast, so set a limit before kick-off and stick to it.
Outright and Season-Long Bets
As well as single matches, you can bet on what will happen over the whole season. These are called outright or futures bets. Popular markets include:
- League winner: Who will lift the trophy in May.
- Top four finish: Which clubs will qualify for the Champions League.
- Relegation: Which three clubs will go down.
- Top goalscorer: Who will win the Golden Boot. Erling Haaland has won it three times in four seasons.
Outright bets can offer big odds, especially if you back a team early. However, your money is tied up for months. Injuries, managerial changes and January transfers can all change the picture. So it is wise to keep these stakes small.
Promoted Teams and the Relegation Battle
Each season, three clubs come up from the Championship. Promoted teams often struggle, because the jump in quality is huge. In recent seasons, several promoted sides have gone straight back down.
That said, the relegation battle can be one of the best areas for value. Bookmakers and fans tend to focus on the top of the table. Meanwhile, matches between struggling sides are often tight and low scoring. If you follow these teams closely, you may spot prices that are wrong. For example, unders and draws can be worth a look in nervy relegation clashes.
Tips for Betting on the Premier League
1. Check the team news
Injuries and rotation matter a lot. Big clubs often rest players during busy weeks with European games. Line-ups are usually confirmed about an hour before kick-off, so it can pay to wait.
2. Look at home and away form
Some teams are very strong at home and poor on the road, or the other way round. Overall league position does not always tell the full story.
3. Don’t overrate the big names
The most famous clubs attract huge amounts of money from fans. As a result, their odds are often shorter than they should be. Sometimes the value is on the other side. Our line tracking guide explains how to spot this.
4. Mind the fixture list
Teams playing on a Thursday in Europe and again on Sunday may be tired. Similarly, the busy festive period over Christmas and New Year often produces surprise results.
5. Manage your bankroll
With so many matches every weekend, it is tempting to bet on all of them. Instead, pick the games you know best and keep each stake small. Our betting strategy guide explains how much to stake.
6. Watch for the “new manager bounce”
When a struggling club sacks its manager, results often improve for a few weeks. Players want to impress the new boss, and the mood around the club lifts. Bookmakers know about this effect, but it is still worth keeping in mind. In contrast, a club in turmoil with an unpopular manager can be one to oppose.
7. Remember the weather
English winters can be cold, wet and windy. Heavy rain and strong wind often lead to scrappy, low-scoring games. If the forecast is poor, over/under goal lines may be worth a closer look.
Watching the Premier League in South Africa
Premier League matches are usually played on Saturdays and Sundays, with some midweek rounds. Thanks to the time difference, most games kick off in the afternoon or evening in South Africa. That makes it easy to follow the action and bet live. Matches are widely shown on local satellite TV and streaming services.
The Big Rivalries
Some fixtures always bring extra drama and big betting interest. Form often goes out the window in these games.
- North London derby: Arsenal vs Tottenham. Read about the Gunners mauling of Spurs.
- Manchester derby: Manchester United vs Manchester City.
- Merseyside derby: Liverpool vs Everton.
- North West derby: Liverpool vs Manchester United.
Premier League Betting FAQ
Who won the Premier League in 2025/26?
Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League. It was their first league title in 22 years, with Manchester City finishing as runners-up.
Which club has won the most Premier League titles?
Manchester United have won the most, with 13 titles. Manchester City are next with 8.
How many games does each team play?
Each of the 20 clubs plays 38 league matches: 19 at home and 19 away.
Is it legal to bet on the Premier League in South Africa?
Yes, as long as you use a bookmaker licensed by a South African provincial gambling board. You can compare licensed sites on our sportsbooks page.
What is the best bet for beginners?
The match result (home, draw or away) is the easiest to understand. Both teams to score and over/under goals are also simple and popular.
When does the Premier League season start and end?
The season usually starts in mid-August and finishes in late May. There are midweek rounds during the season, plus a busy festive period over Christmas and New Year.
What are decimal odds?
Decimal odds show your total return for every R1 staked. For example, odds of 2.50 mean a R100 bet returns R250, including your R100 stake.
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