Ahead of the new season, the ever-popular Season Handicap market has been released for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
bet365's Steve Freeth said: "Forget world-class players, wage bills and profit and sustainability, history has shown us that any of the 20 clubs can win the Premier League handicap, which why it’s so popular.
"Sunderland were the latest side to win with a significant head start following in the footsteps of Nottingham Forest +47, Aston Villa +32, Brentford +46, West Ham +44 and Sheffield United +52 over the last seven years with Liverpool +7 sandwiched in between them in 2022 and Manchester City being the last side to win off scratch in 2018.
"Furthermore, three of the top four teams in the table last season were given starts of 38 or more (Brentford +38, Leeds +43) while Manchester United were given +21.
"Arsenal start on zero this season with Manchester City and Liverpool given starts of +3 and +7 respectively.
"Last season’s big underachievers were actually Wolverhampton Wanderers who, despite being given 39 points, still finished bottom, one point behind Arne Slot's Liverpool."
For those new to the market, each team is assigned a points total which essentially acts as a head start for the season.
At the end of the campaign, each team’s handicap is added to their actual points total, and whoever finishes with the most points wins.
Keep in mind, the team you back must finish above all other teams after all handicaps have been added. See last season’s final table as an example below:
2025/26 Premier League season handicap table
Team | Handicap | Points | Total |
Sunderland | +52 | 54 | 106 |
Manchester United | +21 | 71 | 92 |
Brentford | +38 | 53 | 91 |
Leeds United | +43 | 47 | 90 |
Bournemouth | +32 | 57 | 89 |
Arsenal | +3 | 85 | 88 |
Aston Villa | +22 | 65 | 87 |
Fulham | +33 | 52 | 85 |
Everton | +33 | 49 | 82 |
Manchester City | +3 | 78 | 81 |
Brighton | +27 | 53 | 80 |
Crystal Palace | +33 | 45 | 78 |
Nottingham Forest | +32 | 44 | 76 |
West Ham United | +35 | 39 | 74 |
Burnley | +51 | 22 | 73 |
Chelsea | +12 | 52 | 64 |
Newcastle United | +15 | 49 | 64 |
Tottenham | +22 | 41 | 63 |
Liverpool | 0 | 60 | 60 |
Wolves | +39 | 20 | 59 |
Previous winners
Season | Winner | Total points |
2025/26 | Sunderland +52 | 106 |
2024/25 | Nottingham Forest +47 | 112 |
2023/24 | Aston Villa +32 | 100 |
2022/23 | Brentford +46 | 105 |
2021/22 | Liverpool +7 | 99 |
2020/21 | West Ham +44 | 109 |
2019/20 | Sheffield United +52 | 106 |
2018/19 | Liverpool +6 | 103 |
Premier League 2026/27 Season Handicap Odds
Team | Handicap | Odds |
Arsenal | 0 | |
Manchester City | +3 | |
Liverpool | +7 | |
Manchester United | +8 | |
Chelsea | +10 | |
Tottenham | +16 | |
Aston Villa | +18 | |
Newcastle United | +23 | |
Brighton | +23 | |
Bournemouth | +28 | |
Everton | +28 | |
Brentford | +29 | |
Nottingham Forest | +30 | |
Leeds United | +31 | |
Crystal Palace | +31 | |
Fulham | +32 | |
Sunderland | +34 | |
Ipswich Town | +44 | |
Coventry City | +44 | |
Hull City | +52 |
Arsenal +0
The Gunners go into a Premier League season as defending champions for the first time in more than 20 years. How will they fare with such a target on their back? Everything went into last season with the likes of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka forced to play through the pain barrier as Arsenal also reached the UEFA Champions League final, and this season looks an even bigger test than last.
Manchester City +3
Manchester City embark on a new era as Pep Guardiola bids the club farewell with Enzo Maresca stepping into the dugout, with the Citizens representing one of the biggest unknowns heading into the new campaign.
Liverpool +7
One of a number of managerial changes from last season saw Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola, with the former Bournemouth manager expected to bring a more intense style of football back to Anfield.
Manchester United +8
Manchester United with fresh midfield reinforcements embark on a full season under Michael Carrick, but must do so while juggling European football.
Chelsea +10
With no European distractions, new boss Xabi Alonso can put everything into Chelsea's domestic campaign, and a title charge might not be out of the Blues' reach.
Tottenham +16
A relatively new manager in Roberto De Zerbi and no European football made Tottenham an interesting proposition this season, even before spending enormous sums on a new defence as well as Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
Aston Villa +18
Battling financial restrictions while competing in the UEFA Champions League means Aston Villa are walking a tightrope, and after an impressive stint at Villa Park, Unai Emery may be about to take a step backwards.
Newcastle United +23
Like Aston Villa, Newcastle United are operating under financial restrains that have seen them lose Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali with Bruno Guimaraes potentially following them, though the lack of European football may offer something of a reprieve.
Brighton +23
An impressive season on the south coast sees Brighton return to Europe; how will Fabian Hurzeler juggle his European and domestic commitments?
Bournemouth +28
The departures of Marcos Senesi and Andoni Iraola are big blows to Bournemouth, but the arrival of Marco Rose is exciting, and the experienced German looks like a safe pair of hands to guide the Cherries through Europe.
Everton +28
Having steadied the ship, David Moyes is in danger of letting Everton stagnate having finished on exactly 49 points in each of the last two seasons, but the Toffees are showing some ambition in the transfer market.
Brentford +29
Agonisingly missing our on European football on the final day of the season, Brentford can look forward to another positive season under Keith Andrews.
Nottingham Forest +30
After qualifying for the Europa League, Nottingham Forest's domestic efforts took a hit as they reached a European semi-final for the first time since 1981, but with Oliver Glasner in charge and no European distractions, Forest will be optimistic of an improvement on their 15th place finish last season.
Leeds +31
After an impressive season in which relegation fears were quickly allayed, Daniel Farke will hope to kick on at Elland Road.
Crystal Palace +31
While the departure of Oliver Glasner certainly hurts Crystal Palace, the departure of Dougie Freedman is perhaps still being felt at Selhurst Park, though it is hoped Pierre Sage will provide an element of continuity in South London.
Fulham +32
With no Marco Silva, no Raul Jimenez and no Harry Wilson, there's lots of change at Craven Cottage ahead of the new season. The arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa provides plenty of intrigue, but the Spaniard will need supporting in the transfer market.
Sunderland +34
Written off in the summer by many as doomed to not only relegation but to finish in last place, Sunderland defied all expectations after some excellent work in the transfer market. Now balancing their second top-flight season with the Europa League, the Black Cats could be brought back down to earth with a bump.
Ipswich Town +44
Ipswich return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and after being found wanting two seasons ago, will need to significantly improve on that effort, and without coach Kieran McKenna.
Coventry City +44
Based on last season, Coventry City ought to be the best of the newly promoted sides. In years gone by, Championship winners put up a good fist of things upon reaching the Premier League, and the Sky Blues will hope to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sheffield United, Wolves and Leeds in steering well clear of the drop zone.
Hull City +52
Hugely defying the odds in just reaching the Premier League, Hull City will need to spend big if they're to have any chance of staying there.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
