The highlight fixtures for the opening week of the new EPL season include LIVERPOOL versus BOURNEMOUTH and MANCHESTER UNITED versus ARSENAL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, brings you his unique and insightful previews of these and all Game Week 1 matches. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Be sure to check out John’s new book, entitled “Three Days At Anfield“, a riotous and heartfelt tribute to Barnsley FC that blends football nostalgia, fan memoir, and a love letter to the beautiful game. Available on Amazon now.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Game Week-1
Friday 15th
LIVERPOOL v BOURNEMOUTH
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
The ‘Alexander Isak Saga’ continues with Liverpool still looking to bring in the Swede from Newcastle.
The stumbling block at the moment is just the fee.
Liverpool have started proceedings by making a £110 Million offer, which was immediately rejected by Newcastle.
The fee has to be somewhere in the region of around £135 Million for the Magpies to consider the sale.
Watch this space!
The Reds now want Alexander as a replacement for Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan completed his move to Al Hilal for a fixed fee of £46 Million.
So £70 Million for Luis Diaz and £46 Million for Darwin Nunez will go a long way in securing the signature of Mr Isak.
Liverpool played in the Community Shield on Sunday which finished in a draw against Crystal Palace by a 2-2 scoreline.
It was then a penalty shootout that Palace won, so there is no silverware just yet for Arne’s New Slots.
The Reds’ 2nd goal scored by Jeremie Frimpong went in after 20 minutes and 20 seconds.
A certain Diogo Jota’s shirt number was 20.
Rest In Peace Diogo and Andre.
Bournemouth haven’t made too many signings other than bringing in the Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea and Adrien Truffert from Rennes, with Adrien coming in for the now Liverpool player Milos Kerkez.
Last year’s encounter between these two at Anfield saw Liverpool gain the home victory over Bournemouth by a 3-0 score.
All 3 goals were scored in the 1st-half.
Luis Diaz with a couple and Darwin Nunez with the 3rd.
Luis won’t be playing and neither will Darwin, so it will be left to some of the New Reds to get the goals this time around.
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 2/7, the Draw at 5/1 and 17/2 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Mo Salah Scores First and 11/10 that Both Teams Don’t Score.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-0- Get 8/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Check out John Newsome’s book ‘Three Days at Anfield’ available on Amazon.
Saturday 16th
ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE
12.30 in England
TNT Sports
Aston Villa have signed the 24-year-old Nice striker Evann Guessand, with Villa paying an initial £23 Million to the French club.
Ollie Watkins is still a Villa player and has scored 4 goals in the pre-season friendlies.
As mentioned earlier, the ‘Alexander Isak Saga’ continues with the Swedish striker still in situ at St James Park.
The question now is-
For how much longer?
Newcastle were after the Slovenian Striker Benjamin Sesko, possibly as a replacement for Alexander.
However, despite Newcastle being in this year’s Champions League-League Phase, Benny Boy is off to Old Trafford, with the RB Leipzig player joining Manchester United.
Alan Shearer isn’t happy!
The Miserable One will be even more unhappy if (when) Alexander leaves too.
The AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw has joined Newcastle for a fee in the region of around £35 Million.
Monaco are interested in Kieran Trippier, which will probably be a final move for the legend earning him one last set of good wages and great time in a brilliant location.
This fixture at Villa Park last season was a Game Week-33 affair in April.
With both teams going for a Champions League spot, it was Aston Villa that got the home victory over Newcastle.
Goals from Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsenn, a Dan Burn OG and Amadou Onana gave Villa the points from a 4-1 score.
Fabian Schar scored an equaliser for Newcastle after Ollie’s opener.
Both teams finished the 2024/25 campaign with 66 points, however, it was Newcastle that gained the final Champions League place finishing in 5th on goal difference.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at 13/10, the Draw at 13/5 and 15/8 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 5/2 that Harvey Barnes Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-1- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRIGHTON v FULHAM
15.00 in England
Manchester United are after Carlos Baleba, however, it’s highly unlikely that Brighton will sell in this Window.
Fulham have had a quiet Transfer period with both teams probably lining up for this opener with the same players from last season.
Brighton gained the victory over Fulham at the Amex last term.
Raul Jimenez opened the scoring early to give Fulham a lead before Jan Paul Van Hecke equalised for the home team to take both teams in level at the break.
Chelsea’s New Boy Joao Pedro scored the Brighton winner in the 98th minute, converting a very late penalty giving the Seagulls the points from a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Brighton at slight Odds On 9/10, the Draw at 13/5 and 3/1 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 10/1 that Tom Watson Scores First and slight Odds On 4/6 that Both Teams Score.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 13/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
SUNDERLAND v WEST HAM
15.00 in England
August 8th, 2015 might not be a significant date in anyone’s lifetime never mind a Sunderland fan but on that day, 10 years ago, Sunderland kicked off their 2015/16 Premier League campaign, away at the King Power Stadium against Leicester.
One might then say ‘So what like?’
Well, 9 months later, at odds of 5000/1, Leicester won the Premier League Title.
Can one really believe that it’s 10 years since the start of that unbelievable season?
Sunderland suffered an opening day defeat against Leicester by a 4-2 scoreline with goals from Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher.
Sunderland have completed the signing of former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku, coming in on a free and will start life as a Maccam against his former club.
West Ham have brought in Callum Wilson on a free due to Callum leaving Newcastle when his contract expired.
If Callum can stay fit, the Hammers have a great player on their books, very similar to Michail Antonio, who is more than likely going to leave the London Stadium with Graham Potter stating that the Striker is not part of the plans.
Graham Potter has brought in a Goalkeeper with the ex-Leicester Stopper Mads Hermansen coming into the London Stadium for a fee of around £18 Million.
It’s more than likely that Mads will be a backup to Alphonse Areola who will now be the Number One due to Lukasz Fabianski’s contract expiring.
It was April 2017 when the Hammers last headed North up the A19 to the Stadium of Light to take on the Maccams.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
If one were to say that David Moyes was the Manager, most would assume that David was in charge of West Ham, however, that wasn’t the case, Mr Moyes was the Sunderland Gaffer back in April 2017.
Slaven Bilic was the West Ham Boss.
Andre Ayew scored the opener for the Hammers after 5 minutes before Wahbi Khazri scored the Black Cats’ equaliser 20 minutes later to take both teams in level at half-time.
James Collins scored just after the restart to put the away team back in front.
Sunderland left it late to get the equaliser with Fabio Borini scoring in the 90th minute to give both teams a share of the points from the Archbishop’s favourite score.
There was still time for excitement with West Ham’s Sam Byram being shown a 2nd Yellow Card and the subsequent Red in the 95th minute to beat his mates into the showers.
Sunderland were relegated at the end of that 2016/17 campaign finishing at the bottom of the Premier League table with 24 points.
West Ham finished in 11th place with 45 points.
Betfred offer Sunderland at 21/10, the Draw at 12/5 and 6/5 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Jarrod Bowen Scores First and 3/1 that West Ham Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-2- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
TOTTENHAM v BURNLEY
15.00 in England
Son Heung-Min’s time at Tottenham has come to an end after 10 years with the LilyWhites.
Son played 333 Premier League games for Tottenham under numerous Managers and scored 127 times in the Promised Land.
Added to that there are a few appearances in the Cup competitions with several goals going into the opposition net.
Obviously, although a Superstar for Tottenham and for that matter South Korea, there isn’t much silverware in the Son Heung-Min family cabinet, other than the Europa League Chocolate from last season.
Los Angeles have come calling, so Son has headed over to the MLS, however, not on a Free Transfer but surprisingly with LAFC paying Tottenham around £20 Million.
Nice One-Son!
All the best.
Scott Parker is back in the Premier League for the 3rd time following spells in the Top Flight with Fulham and Bournemouth.
The lad seems to be the perfect Championship Manager but then can’t push on when his team reaches the Promised Land following relegation with Fulham, then after getting Bournemouth promoted, was sacked early in the next campaign, after suffering a devastating defeat against Liverpool by a 9-0 score.
Burnley, like most of the newly promoted clubs nowadays, will find the step up tough, so it’s hoped, for Scott’s sake, that the Clarets can try and stay competitive and at least keep Mr (Four Stripes) Parker in a job.
Burnley have signed the ex-Chelsea Striker Armando Broja, paying the Blues around £15 Million for the Albania International.
It was the penultimate game of the 2023/24 season when Burnley last visited Tottenham’s New White Hart Lane Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs gained the home victory over Vincent Kompany’s Clarets by a 2-1 score.
Jacob Bruun-Larsen scored the opener for Burnley before Pedro Porro equalised for Tottenham a couple of minutes later.
Micky Van De Ven scored the Tottenham winner in the 82nd minute to give Ange’s boys all 3 points.
Burnley had already been relegated before this long trip South.
Both Managers have left their respective clubs with Big Ange down at the Job Centre and Big Vince over in Germany as the Head Coach of Bayern Munich.
Jacob left Turf Moor after the relegation joining Stuttgart but is back in the North East for another crack at staying in the Premier League.
As the legendary Tottenham Striker Jimmy Greaves once said-
It’s a funny old game.
Betfred offer Tottenham at Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 4/1 and 17/2 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Brennan Johnson Scores First and 11/10 that Tottenham Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League New Signings To Watch Out For ***
GOALKEEPER- Caoimhin Kelleher- Brentford
RIGHT-BACK- Kyle Walker- Burnley
CENTRE-BACK- El-Hadji Malick Diouf- West Ham
CENTRE-BACK- Kevin Danso- Tottenham
LEFT-BACK- Milos Kerkez- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- Joao Palhinha- Tottenham
MIDFIELDER- Florian Wirtz- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- Granit Xhaka- Sunderland
FORWARD- Joao Pedro- Chelsea
FORWARD- Viktor Gyokeres- Arsenal
FORWARD- Bryan Mbeumo- Manchester United
STAR MAN- Florian Wirtz- Liverpool
WOLVES v MAN CITY
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
What a great fixture to start the campaign for both teams.
The ‘Rayan Ait-Nouri Derby’ immediately springs to mind, with Rayan heading out of Molineux and up the M6 to the Etihad.
It’s been pretty quiet over the last couple of weeks for both teams in the Transfer Window.
Man City gained the away-day victory over Wolves in last season’s encounter at Molineux.
Jorgen Strand-Larsen outdid his fellow Norwegian Striker Erling Haaland and scored the opener after 7 minutes.
Josko Gvardiol scored the City equaliser just after the half-hour mark to take both teams in level at the break.
After 94 minutes it did appear a draw was on the cards until the Barnsley Beckenbauer John Stones scored the winner in the 95th minute to give Pep’s High Flying Blues the win over Gary O’Neils Gold and Blacks by a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Wolves at 6/1, the Draw at 7/2 and Odds On 4/9 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 13/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-3- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 17th
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BRENTFORD
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Nottingham Forest have had their Europa League entry confirmed after the Court of Arbitration rejected Crystal Palace’s appeal of being demoted to the Europa Conference League.
It was the Bees that stung the Tricky Trees when these two teams met at the City Ground back in May at the back end of a long campaign.
Goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa, one in each half, gave Brentford the victory over Nottingham Forest by a 2-0 away-day score.
Forest had the same 2-0 away day victory when the two met at the GTech Stadium earlier in the season.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 11/10, the Draw at 5/2 and 12/5 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Chris Wood Scores First and 13/5 that Nottingham Forest Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Chelsea have added Jorrel Hato to the new signings, bringing in the Centre-Back from Ajax for a fee of around £38 Million.
Jorrel was seen wearing the New Jersey adorned with the Gold Badge representing Chelsea’s recent Club World Cup victory.
Crystal Palace have had an indifferent couple of days, firstly winning the Community Shield after a penalty shootout against Liverpool, then losing their appeal against being demoted to the Europa Conference League after the Court of Arbitration’s ruling on Monday.
It’s still Thursday Night Football but it’s now in the ECL which doesn’t bring in as much revenue as the EL which could see a few players leave Selhurst Park before the Summer Transfer Window closes on the 1st of September.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score when these two met at Stamford Bridge last season.
The fixture was almost 12 months ago to the day, taking place on the 1st of September 2024.
Nicolas Jackson scored the opening goal after 25 minutes to give the Blues a lead at the break.
Eberechi Eze equalised for Palace early in the 2nd-half and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
It was the same 1-1 scoreline when the two met at Selhurst Park later in the season.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 4/7, the Draw at 16/5 and 9/2 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 3/1 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MANCHESTER UNITED v ARSENAL
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
What a great game to kickstart the campaign for both teams.
There’s not a United fan on earth who can say Ruben Amorim hasn’t invested in the team this Summer.
After bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United have beaten Newcastle to the signature of the Slovenian Striker Benjamin Sesko, with the Old Trafford hierarchy paying RB Leipzig £73 Million.
That’s not the end of the spending with United after the Brighton Midfielder Carlos Baleba, however, the Seagulls are reluctant to sell.
Adam Wharton is also on the radar but again, it’s seeing if United can get Palace to agree to the move.
Remember though, Money Talks!
There is also still the possibility that the Italian Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could arrive in Manchester.
At Old Trafford last season, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Bruno Fernandes scored for United on the stroke of half-time to give the home team a lead at the interval.
Declan Rice then scored an equaliser in the 74th minute and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
Arsenal gained the victory at the Emirates earlier in the season but then United knocked the Gunners out of the FA Cup progressing from the 3rd-Round following a penalty shootout.
Betfred offer Manchester United at 5/2, the Draw at 12/5 and 11/10 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/1 that Bruno Fernandes Scores First and 21/10 that Bukayo Saka Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Monday 18th
LEEDS UNITED v EVERTON
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
The West Yorkshire Puddings are back in the Promised Land but have had to wait until the final fixture of Game Week-1 to get the season underway.
Get ready for the iconic ‘Marching On Together’ ditty hammered out by the boys and girls in White.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has signed for Everton with the Toffees paying the Blues around £29 Million including add-ons.
The ex-Leicester Midfielder is a great little player but it just didn’t work out at Stamford Bridge so it will be a good move for all 3 parties.
Another player on his way into the New Bramley-Moore Docks Stadium or as some might say the Hill Dickinson Stadium is Jack Grealish.
Jack is currently having a medical and will probably be an Everton player before this opening game, initially on loan for the season with an option to buy at the end for a fee of around £50 Million.
Jack’s wages, which are reportedly £300,000 a week (a week!) did offer up some blockage regarding the loan move, with Everton not willing to pay all of the £300,000.
Mr Grealish has a contract with Man City until the end of the 2026/27 season, so although the lad wants and needs to be playing regularly, Jack isn’t going to just move away and surrender the £300,000 a week for the next 2 years, which is £31.2 Million in wages.
Someone will have to pay the wage so it’s more than likely that City will pay around 2/3rds and Everton the rest.
It was August 2022 when Everton last ventured East on the M62 to face Leeds at Elland Rd.
If one remembers, it was the Yank Jesse Marsch who was in charge of the Whites, who gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against the Toffees led by the Leeds fan favourite Frank Lampard.
Anthony Gordon scored after 17 minutes to give Everton the lead at the break.
Luis Sinisterra then scored an equaliser for Leeds just after the restart and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
In the game at Goodison Park later on in the 2022/23 campaign, both the Yank and Mr Lampard had been relieved of their duties, with Everton being overseen by Sean Dyche and Leeds, who had only just sacked Jesse Marsch, being led by the Caretaker Manager Michael Skubala.
Everton got the home victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Leeds United at 6/4, the Draw at 21/10 and 9/5 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/1 that Anton Stach Scores First and slight Odds On 8/11 that Both Teams Score.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
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