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The 2025/26 Premier League season is just around the corner, with defending champions Liverpool set to kick things off against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.

The Reds will be looking to make it back-to-back titles under Arne Slot after splashing the cash in the transfer market, whereas Arsenal are aiming to go one better following three successive second-place finishes.

Other storylines to look out for are Ruben Amorim’s first full season as Man Utd manager, whereas Thomas Frank is the new boss at Tottenham following Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal.

AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

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1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are the three newly promoted sides looking to stop the recent trend of going straight back down, and Everton have now moved to their new £800m stadium.

With the fixtures now out, AI predictor tool ChatGPT has forecasted the scores for the opening weekend of the Premier League season, with 24 goals in total.

AI predicts Round 1 of the 2025/26 Premier League Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth Friday August 15

Starting off the new campaign at Anfield, Liverpool have been predicted to comfortably see off Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.

The Cherries had a solid season in 24/25, finishing ninth, however, ‘the champions should start strongly, especially at Anfield’, continung their recent dominance againt their visitors.

Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool

February 2025

Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

September 2024

Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool

January 2024

Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool

November 2023

Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth

August 2023

Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle Saturday August 16

On Saturday lunchtime, Aston Villa take on Newcastle, with the two teams both ending on 66 points in 24/25.

The Magpies qualified for the Champions League ahead of the Villans on goal difference and ChatGPT says ‘Newcastle’s quality edges them in a tight game’.

Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle

April 2025

Newcastle 3-0 Aston Villa

December 2024

Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

January 2024

Newcastle 5-1 Aston Villa

August 2023

Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle

April 2023

Brighton 2-1 Fulham Saturday August 16

One of three 3pm kick-offs, Brighton have been backed to get off the mark at home to Fulham with a 2-1 win, the same scoreline from the 24/25 season.

‘Home advantage and attacking flair give Brighton the edge’ under Fabian Hürzeler, according to AI.

Brighton 2-1 Fulham

March 2025

Fulham 3-1 Brighton

December 2024

Fulham 3-0 Brighton

March 2024

Brighton 1-1 Fulham

October 2023

Brighton 1-0 Fulham

February 2023

Sunderland 0-1 West Ham Saturday August 16

In what is sure to be an electric atmosphere at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland may not have their fairytale start back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

The Black Cats may even be handed late heartbreak against the Hammers, as ChatGPT says ’West Ham are likely to snatch a late winner’.

Sunderland 2-2 West Ham

April 2017

West Ham 1-0 Sunderland

October 2016

West Ham 1-0 Sunderland

February 2016

Sunderland 2-2 West Ham

October 2015

West Ham 1-0 Sunderland

March 2015

Tottenham 2-0 Burnley Saturday August 16

Thomas Frank’s first Premier League game in charge of Tottenham comes against Scott Parker’s Burnley following the Clarets’ 100-point haul in the Championship.

Spurs ‘should have enough to see off Burnley’ and record a comfortable 2-0 win, according to ChatGPT.

Tottenham 2-1 Burnley

May 2024

Tottenham 1-0 Burnley

January 2024

Burnley 2-5 Tottenham

September 2023

Tottenham 1-0 Burnley

May 2022

Burnley 0-1 Tottenham

February 2022

Wolves 1-3 Man City Saturday August 16

The first Saturday evening fixture of the new campaign sees Vitor Pereira’s Wolves take on Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

The Sky Blues will have a relatively new look about them following a summer rebuild, however, they ‘should be too strong for their hosts’ and a 3-1 victory for City has been predicted.

Man City 1-0 Wolves

May 2025

Wolves 1-2 Man City

October 2024

Man City 5-1 Wolves

May 2024

Wolves 2-1 Man City

September 2023

Man City 3-0 Wolves

January 2023

Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace Sunday August 17

Following a busy summer at the Club World Cup, Chelsea don’t have much time off and are set to take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge first up.

Enzo Maresca’s side finished in the top four in 24/25, whereas Crystal Palace won the FA Cup under Oliver Glasner. It could be a tight game, but ChatGPT says Chelsea will ‘dominate at home against their south-london visitors’.

Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

January 2025

Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace

September 2024

Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea

February 2024

Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace

December 2023

Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace

January 2023

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford Sunday August 17

Nottingham Forest earned European football in 24/25 following a brilliant Premier League campaign, whereas Keith Andrews is the new man in charge of Brentford after Frank’s departure.

They may play out the first draw of the season, as ChatGPT says ‘two well-matched sides could share the spoils’ in a 1-1 draw.

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brentford

May 2025

Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest

December 2024

Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest

January 2024

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford

October 2023

Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest

April 2023

Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Sunday August 17

The biggest game of the opening weekend sees Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on Man Utd, so it’s no surprise it has been given the Super Sunday 4:30pm slot.

Amorim and Arteta could both be under pressure if they don’t get off to a good start, with a ‘tightly contested Super Sunday ending in a stalemate’ predicted.

Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal

March 2025

Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd (p)

January 2025

Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd

December 2024

Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal

May 2024

Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd

September 2023

Leeds 1-2 Everton Monday August 18

Rounding off the opening weekend in the first Monday Night Football sees Leeds host Everton at Elland Road.

The Championship title winners under Daniel Farke haven’t been used to losing many games in recent years, however, ChatGPT says ‘Leeds may feel the pressure returning after a two-season absence’, with Everton backed to come away with a narrow win.

Everton 1-0 Leeds

February 2023

Leeds 1-1 Everton

August 2022

Everton 3-0 Leeds

February 2022

Leeds 2-2 Everton

August 2021

Leeds 1-2 Everton

February 2021

Chelsea suffered a disappointing defeat to Flamengo in the Club World Cup, despite opening the scoring in the first half.

The Blues were still leading until the 62nd minute, but then three unanswered goals from the Brazilian side saw them secure all three points.

With the score 2-1 in favour of Flamengo, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who had only been on the field for four minutes, saw red after a dreadful challenge on Lucas Ayrton.

It opens the door for Liam Delap to cement his place as the club’s main attacking option, but what now for Jackson?

Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea is unclear

Last season, Jackson could only manage 13 goals across 36 matches for the Stamford Bridge side in all competitions.

Injuries may have played their part in this disappointing campaign, but it is no wonder that Maresca signed Delap and is looking for other centre-forward options.

Aston Villa are seemingly keen on making a move for the Senegal international, and, given his poor form of late, it might be a deal Enzo Maresca is keen on getting done.

According to Transfermarkt, Jackson is valued at €50m (£43m), and it remains to be seen how much money the Blues would demand to allow him to leave the club this summer.

Metric

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

14

10

Assists

5

5

Shots per game

2.3

2.5

Big chances created

8

6

Goal conversion percentage

18%

13%

Delap could be an ideal long-term option for the Italian amid the interest in Jackson. But did the Stamford Bridge outfit sell someone a few years ago who could have slotted into Maresca’s side with ease?

Chelsea must rue selling Kai Havertz

Havertz joined the Blues in 2020 and played a key role in the club winning their second Champions League title in 2021, scoring in the final against Manchester City.

The German international even netted in the final of the Club World Cup a few months later, which shows that he turned up in the big moments. His time in London saw the forward register 48 goal contributions – 32 goals and 16 assists in 139 games.

After three seasons with the club, he was sold to Arsenal in 2023 and has since emerged as a key player under Mikel Arteta.

Indeed, he was even dubbed “magnificent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig upon his move to the Emirates, and he has lived up to the hype with his uptick in form for Arsenal.

42 goal contributions in just 87 games at the Gunners show he made the right move in leaving Chelsea, but it must be a sale that the club regrets.

Now, according to Transfermarkt, his valuation stands at €65m (£57m), and this has soared since his last Chelsea valuation in 2023, which was €55m (£47m), which shows that he has taken his game to another level in North London.

The former Bayer Leverkusen forward is thus valued higher than Jackson, and if he can continue his fine form throughout the 2025/26 campaign with Arsenal, this value will rise even further as he continues to shine in a red shirt.

In this regard, Maresca would love to be able to call on someone like Havertz ahead of the club’s first Champions League campaign in a couple of seasons.

Chelsea have sold a few players prematurely over the years, but Havertz must be the one they regret the most.

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Chelsea were beaten 3-1 by Flamengo in their second game of the Club World Cup.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 21, 2025

Crystal Palace hold a strong interest in an “explosive” forward, and they are now ready to submit a £7m offer to complete a deal, according to a report.

Palace eyeing new signings amid Europa League uncertainty

Palace secured qualification for the Europa League for the first time, courtesy of their FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, but they are now at risk of being kicked out of the competition, due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership.

John Textor has since admitted that he is trying to sell his majority stake in the club, in order to allow the Eagles to compete in Europe next season, saying: “We are trying to help separate it and sell. We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That’s about all I can say.”

Textor also adds that a “good meeting” was held with UEFA, which suggests there is hope that Oliver Glasner’s side will take part in the competition, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the situation.

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The lack of clarity could also affect summer transfer plans, as Selhurst Park will not be as attractive a destination without European football on offer, but the south Londoners continue to run the rule over potential new signings.

According to a report from Africa Foot (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace hold a strong interest in Watford winger Kwadwo Baah, who spent four years at Selhurst Park as a youth player from 2013 to 2017.

Such is Palace’s level of interest, they are now ready to submit a €8m (£7m) offer to complete a deal for Baah, although it is unclear whether Watford would accept a bid in that region, or hold out for a higher amount.

The winger’s versatility is of particular appeal to the Eagles, having regularly featured in both attack and right wing-back throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

"Explosive" Baah could be ready for Premier League move

The German’s time at Selhurst Park as a youth player didn’t work out, but he has managed to work his way up the football pyramid, spending time with Rochdale and Burton Albion in League One before making a name for himself with Watford.

The 2024-25 campaign was the 22-year-old’s most impressive to date, collecting four goals and three assists in the Championship, and displaying his versatility by featuring in a range of different attacking positions, including striker.

Former manager Tom Cleverley was also impressed by the forward, saying: “He is so skilful, so explosive, so powerful and direct. He’s been excellent for us this season.”

As such, Baah could now be ready to test himself in the Premier League, and a move to Selhurst Park would surely be of great appeal, particularly if UEFA sanction Glasner’s side playing in Europe.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are on a four-match winning run in the Premier League, and they will hope to continue this when they face Manchester United this afternoon.

The Old Gold defeated the Old Trafford side 2-0 at the end of December to maintain their perfect start under Vitor Pereira, and hopes will be high that they can complete the double over the Red Devils.

Man United were taken to extra time by Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday evening and there will be a few tired legs among the squad.

This could give Wolves the advantage, while Pereira may make a few changes of his own ahead of the clash.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but it remains to be seen whether he will return to the starting XI after suffering a minor injury.

Why Pereira must axe Bellegarde for Man Utd trip

Bellegarde played 42 minutes last week against Spurs before being subbed off due to injury.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

While on the field, the attacking midfielder completed just six passes, failed with his only dribble attempt, lost possession six times and was dribbled past once.

He has been a solid signing for the Old Gold, that much is certain. Given the nature of the game, however, plus the fact that Matheus Cunha is ready to make his first start following his four-match suspension, it makes sense to bring the Brazilian back into the starting XI.

This would see Bellegarde drop to the bench. That is if he is fit enough to make the matchday squad in the first place.

How Pereira can replace Bellegarde vs Man Utd

Cunha has a decent record against Man United since joining Wolves, scoring once and grabbing two assists across four games.

His goal came in the famous 2-0 win last December, and it proved that Cunha was capable of scoring in the biggest games.

Metric

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

12

14

Assists

7

4

Key passes per game

0.9

1.7

Big chances created

7

12

Successful dribbles per game

2

1.9

The £90k-per-week forward has been in sublime form for Wolves this season. A total of 16 goals and four assists have been registered by the former Atletico Madrid star, and he has arguably single-handedly kept the club floating above the relegation zone.

When compared to his positional peers in the top flight, Cunha ranks in the top 3% for non-penalty goals (0.58) per 90, while also ranking in the top 17% for successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 for the Old Gold this term.

Hailed as “unbelievable” by current teammate Mario Lemina earlier this season, Cunha might well be heading into his final few weeks as a Wolves player.

Cunha has sparked plenty of controversy in recent weeks, notably when hitting out at Wolves’ fans on social media who have criticised his attitude and commitment to the club.

Should a big offer arrive in the summer, it is likely he will be sold, giving Pereira plenty of cash to spend. The club might not have a player of his quality for quite some time, and he could shine against the Red Devils this afternoon.

Pereira's "sensational" Wolves star is now slowly becoming the new O’Hara

Wolves “sensational” star in danger of becoming new Jamie O’Hara

ByConnor Holden Apr 18, 2025

Whilst there’s finally been a reported breakthrough in contract talks with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, rumours are now emerging that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are still interested in signing another Liverpool player.

Update on Salah and Van Dijk's Liverpool future

All season long, no matter how successful Arne Slot’s side have been, a contract cloud has threatened to rain down on their campaign. After a frustratingly long saga, however, it looks as though the Reds are finally set to tie both Van Dijk and Salah down to fresh Anfield deals, having reached a breakthrough at long last.

Whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pending departure to Real Madrid will undoubtedly deal Liverpool a major blow, it’s fair to say that things could have been so much worse. For far too long, the threat of losing the so-called big three without making any profit was certainly realistic until recent updates eased that concern around Anfield.

That said, Liverpool could still be in for a summer of change under Slot. They may sit top of the Premier League, but there’s no doubt that the Dutchman’s side have their weaknesses at both left-back and within their frontline – weaknesses which must be solved in the coming months.

Liverpool willing to offer blockbuster £87m deal to sign Barca star Araújo

The Reds aren’t messing around…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 10, 2025

Amid links to the likes of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez and Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, the Reds will be among the sides to watch when the transfer window swings open – especially if Saudi still come calling for one particular player.

Saudi still eyeing Luis Diaz after Salah setback

Having been handed a consistent rejection by Salah and Van Dijk, clubs in the Saudi Pro League have seemingly shifted their focus towards another Anfield star. According to Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo, clubs in Saudi Arabia now have concrete interest in signing Luis Diaz this summer, whose Liverpool future is far from guaranteed amid a potential attacking overhaul.

As things stand, the 28-year-old has just two years left on his current deal which will see him hit 30 around the time of expiration. Given his inconsistencies at times this season and links to the likes of Isak, it remains up for debate whether Liverpool will hand Diaz a new deal or let him walk out the door this summer or when his current £55k-a-week contract expires.

Of course, when Diaz first arrived, he was seen as a player capable of replacing Sadio Mane and keeping Liverpool’s attack at a certain level. Former manager Jurgen Klopp even went as far as to describe him as “really really special”. Fast-forward three years, however, and injuries combined with inconsistency have created a frustrating spell at times.

As Slot goes in search of marking his stamp on his Liverpool side at long last, Diaz could yet find himself heading for the exit door.

Having missed out on the WPL last year despite a stellar run in international cricket, the UP Warriorz batter is determined to make it count this year

Shashank Kishore21-Feb-2024You can see Danni Wyatt inject energy into the UP Warriorz team room as she walks in for their media day. After exchanging pleasantries with her team-mates and a few media personnel, her gaze turns to a pocket diary on the table as she sits down for our chat. In it are keywords that provide cues to help steer our conversation.”It’s a good habit, eh?” Wyatt asks, pointing to the diary. “I still maintain a journal. It’s a habit I’m incredibly proud of and have continued to keep after all these years.”At this time last year, she had written about being “embarrassed and heartbroken” after failing to attract a single bid at the WPL auction ahead of the inaugural edition. The one word on her mind this time around is “gratitude.”Related

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“It wasn’t a good feeling last year,” she says. “We were in South Africa for the T20 World Cup. We were in the same hotel as the Indian team and they were screaming. They were all watching on a projector and there were loud cheers and high fives every time someone got picked.”We were just leaving the hotel and en route to the ground for a game against Ireland. I was on the team bus, so I wasn’t watching when my name came up. Suddenly I get a series of messages from my friends over in the UK to say, ‘You’ve not been picked.'”I was just a bit embarrassed. I had got my hopes up a lot, which I shouldn’t have done in hindsight. I’d done well in international cricket. I’d been part of BCCI’s Women’s T20 Challenge in India prior to that. I was confident of being picked. But to not get a single bid was pretty heartbreaking.”A year on from that disappointment, Wyatt is in a better state of mind. There’s a relaxed vibe to her after she had the chance to spend “more than usual” time with her family. In October, she withdrew from the WBBL, saying she was fatigued. Wyatt says she is over that phase now.Wyatt was Player of the Series in the 2023 Women’s Ashes, with 272 runs•Steve Bardens/ECB/Getty ImagesThis is her second trip to India in two months. In December, she was part of England’s squad for the Test and T20I series. Back then, a day before the auction, she struck a fierce 75 to flatten India at the Wankhede Stadium.”I was trying to be in a headspace where I was only focused on doing well for England,” she says. “It was difficult [to keep the WPL distraction away], and I must admit, as the auction drew nearer, I got increasingly nervous. I’d done well in the match before [the auction], but I was clear about one thing: I wasn’t going to let another possible disappointment chew me.”I thought, if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, it’s not meant to be. There’s more to life. I was at the gym when the auction started, and by the time my name came up, I was back in my room. When the Warriorz raised the paddle, I must admit it felt wonderful, a lot different to last year.”Wyatt says rejection is something she says she had been lucky to avoid for a better part of her journey into professional cricket.”I got into the England academy setup as a 15-year-old, made my international debut at 18. Over the years, I guess I was lucky enough to perform in front of the right people at the right time. Everything just happened, and one thing synced into another.”This is her 15th year in international cricket, and looking back now, she can see the moments that have led her to where she is now. “It was in the middle of 2017,” she says of a turning point. “I’d decided enough was enough. I was happy just being a pinch-hitter, you know. I was happy just being part of the XI. I knew something had to change.”Over the years, I guess I was lucky enough to perform in front of the right people at the right time. Everything just happened, and one thing synced into another”•Ashley Allen/ECB/Getty Images”Until then, I didn’t quite care as much about my cricket as I should have. But losing my grandfather, a massive personal loss at the time, just before the Ashes that year, made me look at things in a different light. That’s the moment when I decided I had to change.””I mean, I opened the bowling with some spin. I hadn’t rated my batting at all. There was no confidence to bat long. But that changed mindset and attitude brought about a different approach. I knew I had to be the main character, not a part-timer who could do a bit of this and a bit of that.”I sat out of the Tests, didn’t play in the one-dayers either. But in the third T20I, I grabbed my chance and scored a century, I think off 58-59 balls [57]. That I was able to finally show the world what I could do was a take-off point. I’d like to think I haven’t looked back since.”Wyatt, like so many in England, was captivated by the game in 2005. She can’t remember every game she may have played in but her memories of that year’s historic Ashes series are sharp. She was in the stands with her dad to watch the cliffhanger of a Test at Edgbaston. Her love affair with cricket began there.Nearly two decades later, she reflects on how it had a transformative effect on her career. “Just like what Bazball is doing to many these days, it was absolutely inspirational,” Wyatt says. “It’s amazing what the guys have been able to do to Test cricket over the last two years.”They’ve taken the game to the next level. It’s entertaining, inspirational, they’ve got the entire country talking about it. Surely they’re doing a lot of things right. It’s similar to the way we [England women] play. Jon Lewis [England women and Warriorz head coach] wants us playing fearlessly. It kind of suits my style; that’s when I’m playing at my best. Seeing ball, hitting ball. Pretty cool.”

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