Premier League: Predicting the winners of every opening weekend fixture

Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates on Friday, September 13, in a Premier League clash that promises tension and tactical intrigue. The Gunners, under Mikel Arteta, have started the season with two wins and a loss, sitting third in the table. Despite a growing injury list—Bukayo Saka (hamstring), William Saliba (ankle), Kai Havertz (knee), and Gabriel Jesus (ACL)—Arteta’s side remains resilient. New signings like Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres have added attacking depth, while Leandro Trossard’s return from a knock offers a creative boost. Arsenal’s possession-heavy style and pressing intensity should dominate the rhythm, especially at home.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, arrive in London amid managerial upheaval. Nuno Espírito Santo was dismissed just three games into the season following a public fallout with club owner Evangelos Marinakis. The club is yet to announce a permanent replacement, leaving tactical uncertainty in the air. Forest’s squad has seen significant turnover, with Oleksandr Zinchenko arriving from Arsenal and Dan Ndoye impressing early with a goal and two assists. However, their recent 3-0 defeat to West Ham exposed defensive frailties, and the lack of cohesion could be costly against a well-drilled Arsenal side.

Read more..

Bournemouth welcome Brighton to the Vitality Stadium on September 13th in what promises to be a high-octane Premier League clash between two sides riding the momentum of impressive Matchday 3 victories. The Cherries, under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, stunned Tottenham with a gritty 1-0 away win, showcasing their defensive resilience and tactical discipline. Marcus Tavernier, fresh off signing a contract extension until 2029, has been instrumental in their early season form, scoring the decisive goal against Wolves and leading by example in midfield. With new signings like Djordje Petrovic and Adrien Truffert settling in, Bournemouth look sharper and more balanced than last season, despite losing key defenders such as Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi.

Brighton, meanwhile, arrive with renewed confidence after a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Manchester City . Fabian Hürzeler’s side showed tactical flexibility and emotional grit, with veteran James Milner and rising star Brajan Gruda turning the tide late in the game. Despite a rocky start to the season, the Seagulls boast a positive expected goal differential and have historically fared well against Bournemouth, winning five of their last six encounters. Hürzeler’s bold substitutions and emphasis on energy over rigid tactics have reinvigorated a squad that includes new arrivals like Carlos Baleba and a rejuvenated Kaoru Mitoma, who’s been vocal about the team’s growth.

Read more..

10th from the Premier League last year, Brentford finished 9 points behind 7th place. The club aims to continue its progression this season and to get closer to the last European Strapontins. The task promises to be difficult since deep changes occurred during the offseason. After 7 years of good and loyal service, coach Thomas Frank left for Tottenham while important players also set sail. Now under the orders of Keith Andrews, the BEES make the start of the whisper championship. Tombers at home of Aston Villa 1-0, they otherwise lost on the lawns of Nottingham Forest 3-1 and the promoted Sunderland 2-1 .

 Back at a good level during the previous exercise, Chelsea won 4th place in the Premier League, synonymous with qualification for the Champions League , and won the conference league. In addition, the London training confirmed its great dispositions this summer with its coronation at the Club World Cup. It is therefore quite natural that blues are nourishing big ambitions this season. Taken in check, at home, by Crystal Palace to start the 0-0 championship, they then reassured everyone. Chelsea won against West Ham 1-5 and Fulham just before the 2-0 international cut. 

Read more..

Selhurst Park braces for a compelling Premier League clash as Crystal Palace host newly promoted Sunderland on September 13. Both sides have made promising starts to the 2025–26 campaign on September 13. Both sides have made promising starts to the 2025–26 campaign, with Palace sitting, with Palace sitting 8th and Sunderland 8th and Sunderland 6th after three 6th after three matches. The Eagles matches. The Eagles come off a commanding come off a commanding 3-0 win over Aston 3-0 win over Aston Villa, showcasing Villa, showcasing their defensive their defensive resilience and counter resilience and counter-attacking precision-attacking precision. Sunderland, meanwhile. Sunderland, meanwhile, have impressed, have impressed with victories over with victories over Brentford and Burn Brentford and Burnley, proving theyley, proving they’re not just here’re not just here to survive but to to survive but to compete. With both compete. With both teams eyeing a top teams eyeing a top-half finish, this-half finish, this fixture could be fixture could be a defining early a defining early-season litmus test-season litmus test.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glas manager Oliver Glasner continues toner continues to earn plaudits for earn plaudits for his tactical clarity his tactical clarity and squad management and squad management. Despite losing. Despite losing Eberechi Eze to Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and facing Arsenal and facing midfield injuries midfield injuries—Adam Wharton is—Adam Wharton is sidelined with an sidelined with an adductor issue—the adductor issue—the Eagles have remained Eagles have remained cohesive. Daichi cohesive. Daichi Kamada has stepped Kamada has stepped up as a creative up as a creative force, while Marc force, while Marc Guéhi anchors a Guéhi anchors a backline that’s backline that’s conceded just once conceded just once in three games. in three games. Glasner’s future Glasner’s future at the club looks at the club looks secure, with Palace secure, with Palace reportedly preparing reportedly preparing a contract extension a contract extension amid interest from amid interest from rival teams. The rival teams. The Austrian’s ability Austrian’s ability to adapt under pressure to adapt under pressure, especially with, especially with European fixtures European fixtures looming, has solid looming, has solidified his reputationified his reputation as a transformative as a transformative figure.

Read more..

The arrival on the bench of David Moyes in January transformed this Everton formation which finished 13th in the Premier League last year. The Liverpool -based club has to continue on the beautiful second part of last season. To start the championship, the Toffees fell to the promoted Leeds 1-0. On the other hand, they made a good look in the last two days. Everton first took over on Brighton 2-0 before winning on the lawn of Wolverhampton 2-3. Since the arrival of the technician Unai Emery, Aston Villa has established himself as a strong place on the other side of the Channel.

During the previous exercise, the Birmingham formation finished 6th in the first qualifying league for the C3 and reached the quarter -finals in the Champions League . Villans are thus nourishing legitimate ambitions this season. Unfortunately, they made a worrying start to the championship. Held in failure, at home, by Newcastle 0-0, Aston Villa then lost against Brentford 1-0 and Crystal Palace 0-3. 

Read more..

Fulham welcome Leeds United to Craven Cottage on September 13, 2025, in a Premier League clash that pits two sides with contrasting trajectories. Marco Silva’s Fulham have shown flashes of resilience in recent weeks, holding Manchester United to a draw and dispatching Bristol City in the Carabao Cup. The London side has bolstered its squad with the arrivals of Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk and Samuel Chukwueze on loan from AC Milan, adding flair and depth to a team that already boasts the likes of Rodrigo Muniz and Bernd Leno. With a fully fit squad and home advantage, Fulham will be looking to assert control early and exploit Leeds’ defensive frailties.

Leeds, under Daniel Farke, are still finding their rhythm after a turbulent return to the top flight. Their recent form has been patchy, with a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal followed by a goalless draw against Newcastle. The summer saw a flurry of activity at Elland Road, with Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin among the new arrivals. However, goalkeeper Illan Meslier remains sidelined from first-team action, and the team’s defensive cohesion is still a work in progress. Farke’s men will need to rely on their high-tempo attacking style and hope that Okafor and Calvert-Lewin can find space behind Fulham’s back line.

Read more..

St. James’ Park is set to host a clash of urgency and ambition as Newcastle United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 13th. Both sides are winless after three rounds, with Newcastle sitting 17th and Wolves rock bottom in 20th. Eddie Howe’s Magpies have struggled to convert possession into goals, registering just two strikes so far, while Vítor Pereira’s Wolves have leaked eight goals in three outings. The stakes are high, and the margins are thin—this fixture could be the ignition either side desperately needs.

Newcastle’s summer overhaul has drawn headlines, with club-record signing Nick Woltemade arriving from Stuttgart for £69 million. Though his international form for Germany has been underwhelming, fans are eager to see him debut alongside Yoane Wissa, who netted 19 goals for Brentford last season. The Magpies are also integrating Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, and Malick Thiaw into a squad that lost Alexander Isak to Liverpool. Injuries remain a concern, with Emil Krafth, Sven Botman, and Jamaal Lascelles sidelined, while Joelinton and Ramsey face late fitness tests. Anthony Gordon will miss out due to suspension.

Read more..

The London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur on September 13 promises to be a compelling clash of ambition and grit. West Ham, under Graham Potter’s stewardship, are navigating a transitional phase with a blend of fresh signings and familiar faces. The Hammers recently added Soungoutou Magassa, Dimitri Colau, and Igor Julio to their ranks, while Lucas Paquetá has emerged as a talisman, scoring in three consecutive matches. Despite a rocky run at home—winless in their last six at the London Stadium—their emphatic 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest injected a dose of confidence that could prove pivotal against their North London rivals.

Tottenham, meanwhile, arrive with momentum and a sense of renewal. Thomas Frank’s tenure has already seen tactical tweaks and a more aggressive midfield setup, bolstered by the arrivals of Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani. Richarlison remains a focal point in attack, while Dominic Solanke and Yves Bissouma are back in contention. However, the absence of key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragusin due to long-term injuries could test Spurs’ depth. Their recent victories over Manchester City and Burnley suggest a side capable of rising to big occasions, though a shock defeat to Bournemouth reminds us that consistency remains elusive.

Read more..

Relegated from the Premier League in 2024, Burnley only needed a season to get back into the elite. The Clarets appeared very well in Championship to win 2nd place and thus win direct accession without going through the Playoffs. They will have to work to put themselves at the level of the Premier League this season. The promoted won his only game played at home against Sunderland 2-0. Otherwise, Burnley bowed on the lawns of Tottenham 3-0 and Manchester United following a goal on penalty received at the very end of 3-2. For the first season on the Arne Slot bench, Liverpool shone by winning the Premier League last year with 10 points ahead of his closest prosecutor.

The Mersey club hopes to keep its title this season but also appear in all other competitions. Before starting the championship, the Reds fell against Crystal Palace during the Community Shield 2-2, defeated following penalties. Subsequently, they stock up on the forefront points. Without necessarily convincing, Liverpool in turn imposed against Bournemouth 4-2, Newcastle 2-3 and Arsenal just before the international break 1-0. 

Read more..

On the Manchester City side, are lacking the frames Gvardiol and Kovacic, the Brazilian winger Savinho, the guardian replacing Bettinelli and the unwanted Phillips. The French international Cherki did not convince for his first tenure last weekend. The Skyblues have already shown their shortcomings on the last day with a feverish defense and an attack in lack of inspiration. Haaland and Marmoush scorers are struggling to play together. This summer, Manchester City turned an important page with the departure of one of the best players in its history, from Bruyne (Napoli) . The experienced Kyle Walker (Burnley) also left the club as well as the offensives Grenish (Everton) and Mcatee (Nottingham Forest). This summer, the leaders concluded the arrivals of the Porter Trafford (Burnley), the lateral Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton), Reijnders (AC Milan) and Nypan (Rosenborg) and Cherki (Lyon). For Manchester United, mention must be mentioned by the packages of defenders usually holders Lisandro Martinez and Mazraoui. The porter Bayindir is preferred to Onana at the start of the season while the French defender Yoro shows beautiful things.

Captain Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty last weekend but remains a major player from the Red Devils. Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha offensive recruits should chain a new tenure. During the offseason, Manchester United released defender Lindelof (without club) and the environment Eriksen (without club), who were at the end of the contract, as well as the veteran Evans, who retired. In addition, loaned to Aston Villa last January, the spam Rashford has signed up in Barcelona . The offensive sector was reshaped with the big cost arrivals of SESKO (Leipzig), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton) and Mbeumo (Brentford). The first city started on the bench during the first two days. We also note the recruitment of the young left side Diego Leon (Cerro Porteno). 

Read more..