Premier League season handicap odds and tips
In the season handicap market, each Premier League team is assigned a handicap figure, which acts like a head start for the season and, typically, the better the team is perceived to be, the lower their figure will be.
At the end of the season, each side will then have their handicap score added to their actual points total and whichever team finishes with the most overall points wins the market.
As an example, Aston Villa have a handicap figure of +22 for the new season, so if they were to pick up 60 points in 2025-26, they would have 82 points (60+22) in the final handicap standings.
Last season it was Nottingham Forest who came out on top, having been given a handicap head start of +47 points. Nuno Espirito Santo's men went on to collect 65 points in a bumper season, giving them a table-topping overall total of 112 points.
The highest rated team in the division – in this case Liverpool – will have no advantage to start (+0), which is referred to as 'scratch'.
Given that each team has been given an adjusted head start dependent on their perceived chances in the league, the majority go off at the same price, although some can be priced a fair bit shorter or bigger.
Premier League 2025-26 season – handicap outright tips
Odds correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Generous start makes all the difference
The beauty of the season handicap market is that it creates an even playing field. The previous four overall winners have had pretty generous starts – Nottingham Forest (+47), Brentford (+42), Fulham (+42) and Bournemouth (+39).
Indeed, the top three teams in last season's bet365 handicap final table had all been given starts of at least 40 and another potentially competitive Premier League season means it is a good idea to look at the division's lower clubs.
In terms of winning totals (the total points plus the start-of-season handicaps), six of the last seven have been at least 100.
Going by that logic, we want to be looking at teams who can reach three figures with their starting handicap and final overall points total.
Sunderland are an obvious starting point as they have the biggest starting handicap of +52 and have recruited well over the summer, capturing the likes of Habib Diarra, Granit Xhaka and Simon Adingra to help their cause.
If we are sticking with the theory that at least 100 overall points are needed to win this market, Sunderland would need to amass at least 48 points to go with their handicap (+52) and that is not out of the question, although that is reflected in the market with the Black Cats priced at 8/1.
Leeds the pick of promoted trio
If punters are looking to get involved in the season handicap market in this campaign, it is Leeds United who make the most appeal.
The newly promoted club have been given a generous head start of +43 points, so to reach 100, they would need 57 actual points, while for 110, which would have won in six of the last seven seasons, they would need 67 points.
Last season, 57 points would have been enough to finish ninth, so if you fancy Leeds to break into the top half, then you surely have to consider them at 16/1 on the season handicap.
The reassuring thing about Leeds is that they have been preparing for life back in the Premier League for a couple of seasons, missing out on promotion in 2023-24 despite recording 90 points before winning the Championship title with 100 points last campaign.
They have therefore demonstrated they are a cut above the second-tier level and they have kept the bulk of their squad together, while strengthening the core with talented defender Jaka Bijol, experienced midfielder Sean Longstaff and versatile striker Lukas Nmecha.
Daniel Farke's record in the top flight is not great but this is one of the stronger squads he has had and Leeds could do far more than simply stay afloat in the Premier League this term.
Premier League season handicap 2025-26 odds
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Premier League season handicap final table 2024-25 with bet365
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