The football we love is back! The Premier League kicks off this week with some exciting top-flight clashes to get fans buzzing.
Sunday’s blockbuster features Arsenal visiting Manchester United, while reigning champions Liverpool begin their title defence at Anfield against Bournemouth on Friday night.
With Fantasy Premier League managers making their final squad tweaks before the deadline, it’s time to dive into the match previews.
We have broken down team news to help FPL managers decide on who to keep
or sell, for the short and long term, and provide some predictions for how the games can possibly unfold. Let’s get started!
25/26 Premier League opening day fixtures
Sat 16 Aug
- Liverpool vs Bournemouth
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs Fulham
- Sunderland vs West Ham United
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City
Sunday, 17 Aug
- Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
- Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
- Manchester United vs Arsenal
Monday, 18 Aug
- Leeds United vs Everton
Liverpool v Bournemouth team news and prediction
Liverpool will be eager to kick off their title defense with a strong performance, especially given their impressive record on opening weekends, where they haven’t lost their first fixture since a 3-0 defeat at West Brom 13 years ago.
Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s top scorer on opening day with nine goals, also boasts an outstanding record against Bournemouth, netting 11 times in as many appearances.
For Bournemouth, this represents a daunting start to the season. Facing the reigning champions at Anfield, where they’ve lost seven of their last eight visits while conceding 26 goals, leaves little room for optimism.
The Cherries’ revamped squad faces an uphill battle against a Liverpool side that rarely stumbles out of the gate.
Team news:
- Liverpool – OUT: Joe Gomez (knock), Ryan Gravenberch (suspension), Conor Bradley (doubt)
- AFC Bournemouth – OUT: Lewis Cook (knee), Enes Unal (knee), Justin Kluivert (doubt)
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Score Prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa v Newcastle team news and prediction
This fixture could be an early glimpse of a top-six battle in the making, with both sides aiming to build on strong campaigns last season.
Villa and Newcastle finished level on points in 2024, separated only by goal difference, and both will be determined to prove their credentials again this term.
The summer window saw both squads strengthen, though all eyes will be on Newcastle’s attacking setup amid speculation surrounding Alexander Isak’s future. Expect a competitive clash that could go either way.
Team news:
- Aston Villa – OUT: Ross Barkley (doubt), Andres Garcia (doubt)
- Newcastle – OUT: Joe Willock (calf), Anthony Gordon (leg), Lewis Hall (doubt), Sven Botman (doubt)
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Newcastle
Brighton v Fulham team news and prediction
Brighton and Fulham each saw goals at both ends in 27 of their 38 league games last term, including their two direct clashes, which featured seven goals combined.
Despite the summer departure of Joao Pedro to Chelsea, Brighton remain stacked with attacking options and come into the season in fine form, having scored at least twice in all five pre-season friendlies.
Fulham have also looked sharp in front of goal, netting eight in three summer outings. With both sides keen to start on the front foot, goals at both ends look highly likely.
Team news:
- Brighton – OUT: Adam Webster (knee)
- Fulham – OUT: Ryan Sessegnon (undisclosed)
Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Fulham
Sunderland v West Ham team news and prediction
Sunderland arrive at the top flight with renewed ambition after splashing over £130 million in the transfer market, hoping to avoid a return to the Championship after just one season in the English top flight.
The Stadium of Light is expected to be buzzing as the Black Cats aim to secure their first Premier League opening-day win since 2009.
West Ham boss Graham Potter will be eager to erase the disappointment of last season’s 14th-place finish with a strong start.
Despite a mixed opening-day record—just three wins in their last 12—the Hammers did claim victory in the North East as recently as 2021, making this a tantalisingly competitive fixture.
Team news:
- Sunderland – OUT: Aji Alese (shoulder), Luke O’Nien (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Leo Hjelde (achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Chris Rigg (knock), Anthony Patterson (knock)
- West Ham – OUT: Crysencio Summerville (hamstring), George Earthy (concussion), Krisztian Hegyi (undisclosed), Callum Wilson (doubt)
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 West Ham United
Spurs v Burnley team news and prediction
Thomas Frank steps into his first match as Tottenham manager, inheriting a squad that struggled last season, finishing 17th—their worst Premier League position ever.
Spurs boast a strong home record on opening day, having lost just once at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since 2013, and they’ve been dominant against Burnley, winning 12 of their last 13 home encounters.
Burnley return to the top flight after a one-year absence, hoping to avoid the relegation struggles that marked their previous two Premier League campaigns.
The Clarets’ away form has been a major concern, with just five wins in their last 38 top-flight road games, making this a tough assignment at a Spurs ground where they have historically struggled.
Team news:
- Spurs – OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Dominic Solanke (knock/doubt), Destiny Udogie (knock/doubt), James Maddison (knee), Radu Dragusin (knee)
- Burnley – OUT: Bashir Humphreys (thigh), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Jordan Beyer (knee), Connor Roberts (doubt), Zian Flemming (doubt)
Prediction: Spurs 2-0 Burnley
Wolves v Manchester City team news and prediction
Wolves face a challenging season ahead after a quiet summer that saw the departure of key forward Matheus Cunha, leaving questions over where their goals will come from.
Their recent record on opening day hasn’t helped confidence either, with four straight defeats, though two of those were tough away trips to Arsenal and Manchester United.
Manchester City will be determined to hit the ground running after falling short in last season’s title race. Pep Guardiola’s men boast an exceptional August record, winning 12 of their last 13 first-month fixtures.
Their last visit to Molineux ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory, sealed by a stoppage-time goal from John Stones.
Team news:
- Wolves – OUT: Leon Chiwome (knee)
- Man City – OUT: Rodri (undisclosed), Phil Foden (ankle), Mateo Kovacic (achilles)
Prediction: Wolves 1-3 Manchester City
Chelsea v Crystal Palace team news and prediction
Chelsea have a strong history of fast starts, boasting 20 opening-day Premier League wins—second only to Manchester United.
Their recent pre-season form has been impressive, with the Blues scoring freely, including six goals combined against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
With such attacking firepower, expectations are high for an explosive start to the campaign. Crystal Palace face off-field uncertainty after losing their appeal and now competing in the Conference League.
Transfer speculation surrounds key players Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, but the Eagles have shown they can challenge anyone on their day, as evidenced by their performances against Liverpool and in the FA Cup final.
Team news:
- Chelsea – OUT: Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (muscle), Benoit Badiashile (knock)
- Crystal Palace – OUT: Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Eddie Nketiah (hamstring), Caleb Kporha (back), Matheus Franca (adductor), Daichi Kamada (knee)
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest v Brentford team news and prediction
Nottingham Forest have lost Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United but retained their talisman, Morgan Gibbs-White, and with Europa League football on the horizon, optimism is growing at the City Ground.
However, Forest are still seeking their first Premier League opening-day win since promotion, having drawn once and lost twice, and their lack of goals in pre-season—scoring just once in seven matches—does raise concerns.
Brentford have endured a tough summer, parting ways with Norgaard, Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo. While they’ve recruited six new faces, including Liverpool veteran Jordan Henderson, uncertainty remains over Yoane Wissa’s future. If he departs, Keith Andrews faces a challenging campaign ahead.
Team news:
- Nottingham Forest – OUT: Nicolas Dominguez (knee)
- Brentford – OUT: Gustavo Nunes (hamstring), Kevin Schade (doubt), Vitaly Janelt (out)
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford
Manchester United v Arsenal team news and prediction
United have a strong record on opening day, having lost just seven times since the Premier League’s inception.
Despite their historic resilience, they enter this clash as underdogs, with a fresh wave of attacking talent worth over £200 million expected to light up Old Trafford.
Arsenal arrive with the chance to make history as the first team to beat United five times consecutively in the Premier League.
The Gunners have also been unbeaten against the traditional ‘big six’ over the past two seasons, but have struggled on their trips to Old Trafford, securing just five narrow 1-0 wins there.
Team news:
- Man United – OUT: Andre Onana (fitness/doubt), Lisandro Martinez (fitness), Joshua Zirkzee (fitness)
- Arsenal – OUT: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Leandro Trossard (undisclosed), Max Dowman (fitness)
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Leeds v Everton team news and prediction
Leeds return to the Premier League after a two-year absence and will be eager to replicate their strong start from their last top-flight season, when they earned seven points from their opening three matches.
Daniel Farke’s side have been active in the transfer market, adding reinforcements to strengthen a defence that conceded 155 goals across their last two Premier League campaigns.
Everton, under the returning David Moyes and with their new stadium finally open, are buzzing with optimism.
Exciting additions, including the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City, suggest the Toffees could improve on their recent run of four consecutive finishes outside the top half.
Team news:
- Leeds United – OUT: Jaka Bijol (suspension), Jayden Bogle (doubt)
- Everton – OUT: Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring), Vitaliy Mykolenko (doubt), Nathan Patterson (doubt)
Prediction: Leeds 0-2 Everton
Which games look good for FPL picks in GW1? Got a differential player to watch? Which captain are you going for? Who’s being underrated by most managers? Let us know in the comments below!
