STAR FOOTBALL ANTE-POST PREVIEW: Premier League 26/27 Specials

As part of our build up to the new football season, JOE CITRONE previews some of the Premier League special markets for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign…

⭐️ STARSPORTS.BET FOOTBALL MARKETS ⭐️

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Top Goalscorer without Erling Haaland

With Erling Haaland the overwhelming favourite to finish the season as Top Goalscorer once again, there is plenty of intrigue in Star Sports’ Top Goalscorer Without Erling Haaland market.

Liverpool forward Alexander Isak heads the betting at 4/1 after returning from injury and enjoying an impressive World Cup with Sweden. However, after a difficult debut campaign on Merseyside, there remains enough uncertainty around him to make that price unappealing for me.

The player who catches my eye is Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (8/1 with starsports.bet). With Xabi Alonso now at the helm at Stamford Bridge, I expect Chelsea’s fortunes to improve significantly, which should translate into more chances for their forwards. Pedro also has a point to prove after missing out on Brazil’s World Cup squad, and I can see him taking that opportunity to deliver a much bigger goal return this season.

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Goal Pairs

Another unique market that Star Sports are offering in the build-up to the new Premier League season is our Goal Pairs market, which asks which pair will score the most league goals combined.

The pairing that appeals to me most is Igor Thiago and Kai Havertz at 9/2 with starsports.bet. Thiago finished runner-up to Haaland in last season’s Golden Boot race, so there’s no reason to think he won’t score a hatful again this term.

Meanwhile, provided he can stay clear of injuries, Havertz is likely to lead the line for Arsenal in the majority of games, giving him plenty of opportunities to add to his tally for what should be the best team in the league.

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£100m Player Handicap

Star Sports are also offering a handicap market based on Premier League goals and assists, bringing every player in the division into the equation, including big-money summer signings such as Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson, who have both cost in excess of £100m.

The player I like the look of here is Morgan Rogers at 6/1 with starsports.bet. Given the enormous price tag attached to him, I expect Rogers to be central to Chelsea’s attacking play alongside his good friend Cole Palmer, and I’m excited to see how he gets on at Stamford Bridge.

My advice, with no offence intended, is to stay away from Jack Grealish at the same price!

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Top Promoted Team

Three new teams come into the Premier League this season – Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City – all desperate to retain their top-flight status and establish themselves as Premier League clubs.

The gap between the top of the Championship and the bottom of the Premier League seems to be growing all the time, due in no small part, I suspect, to the incredible wealth now present in the top flight. It’s therefore no surprise that all three promoted sides have been tipped to struggle.

If you’ve read my Premier League preview, though, you’ll know that I think last season’s Championship winners, Coventry, have the best chance of surviving. I’ve been impressed by the level of investment in the squad this summer and, more importantly, the quality of players they’ve been able to recruit. They also have plenty of momentum after last season’s heroics.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Top Goalscorer without Haaland – Joao Pedro 1pt at 8/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Goal Pairs – Thiago & Havertz 1pt at 9/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK £100m Player Handicap – Morgan Rogers 1pt 6/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Top Promoted Team – Coventry 1pt at 6/4 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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(AUGUST 2026): PROFIT/LOSS: +75.39 points

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