Let the show begin! Premier League kicks off

The wait is over. Tonight, the lights of Anfield will shine on the opening clash between Liverpool and Bournemouth, and with it begins another chapter in the Premier League’s never-ending drama. Over the next nine months, we’ll witness the rise of heroes, the fall of giants, and the endless twists that make this league the most gripping show in world football.

Liverpool Aim to Keep Their Hands on the Crown

Liverpool enter the new Premier League campaign with one clear mission — to prove last year’s triumph was no fluke. The Reds stormed to the title in 2024/25, leaving Arsenal ten points adrift and Manchester City a full 13 behind.

Arne Slot’s squad, the backbone of that dominant run, remains largely unchanged, but the summer did bring major departures. Trent Alexander-Arnold swapped Anfield for the Bernabeu, while the football world mourned the devastating loss of Diogo Jota in a tragic car accident. Luis Diaz joined Bayern Munich in a high-profile move, and Darwin Nuunez headed to Al-Hilal for a hefty fee.

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In true Liverpool fashion, the response was bold. Slot’s side splashed more cash than anyone in the league — a staggering 293.68 million euros — to secure marquee arrivals. Florian Wirtz, the German maestro from Bayer Leverkusen, will pull the creative strings. French forward Hugo Ekitike arrives from Eintracht Frankfurt to add depth in attack, while Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) and Jeremie Frimpong (Leverkusen) bolster the back line.

With Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo still leading the charge, Alexis Mac Allister orchestrating the midfield, and Virgil van Dijk marshalling the defence, Liverpool have every reason to believe the trophy will stay on Merseyside for another year.

The Pack in Pursuit

Liverpool may start as favourites, but their rivals have not been idle. Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City all flexed their financial muscle in the transfer window, hoping to tip the balance.

Arsenal, agonisingly close for three straight seasons, are desperate to swap silver medals for silverware. Mikel Arteta’s solution was simple — strengthen. In came prolific Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon and midfield anchor Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Chelsea, rejuvenated under Enzo Maresca, climbed back into the top four last season after a turbulent spell. Their summer saw the arrival of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Brighton and English winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. Fresh from lifting the FIFA Club World Cup after defeating PSG, the Blues enter the season brimming with belief.

Manchester United’s 229.70 million euros spree and City’s 176.90 million euros outlay ensure both will remain dangerous. Whether any can derail Liverpool’s repeat bid is the story to watch.

The Battle for Survival

Last season’s farewells to Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton left room for three new hopefuls: Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland. History, however, is not on their side. The last six promoted clubs have all dropped straight back down, and the safety margin is often wide — Leicester, the best of last year’s newcomers, still finished 13 points from safety.

Wolverhampton Wanderers face their own survival fight after a 16th-place finish and the loss of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United and Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City. Brentford also look vulnerable — manager Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham, while key figures Mark Flekken, Christian Norgaard, and Bryan Mbeumo all moved on.

For those at the bottom, the battle won’t just be about points — it will be about resilience, squad depth, and surviving the relentless grind of the Premier League calendar.

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As the new season kicks off, certain players aren’t just part of the story — they are the story. From Golden Boot chasers to midfield maestros, these are the names expected to shape the campaign ahead.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – The Norwegian powerhouse has rewritten scoring records since arriving in England. With City hungry to reclaim the title, Haaland’s goals will be their sharpest weapon.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Still the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack, Salah enters the season with the swagger of a man who’s done it all — but still wants more. His consistency in front of goal could make the difference in another title race.

Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) – The Gunners finally have the ruthless No. 9 they’ve been craving. Fresh from tearing it up in Portugal, Gyokeres will be tasked with turning Arsenal’s near-misses into silverware.

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Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) – The German prodigy arrives as Liverpool’s creative spark-in-waiting. Blessed with vision and composure beyond his years, Wirtz could be the signing that keeps the Reds on top.

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Joao Pedro (Chelsea) – Back in the capital with a point to prove, the Brazilian brings flair and end product. If he clicks quickly with Chelsea’s system, he could be the difference between top four and title talk.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) – The wildcard. Ekitike’s pace and direct style offer something different to Liverpool’s frontline. If he adapts fast, expect fireworks off the bench and maybe even a starting spot.

Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal) – Calm, clever, and capable of dictating tempo, Zubimendi could be the glue that holds Arsenal’s midfield together during the long, gruelling months ahead.

Liverpool might start with the crown, but this season smells like trouble for the favourites. Arsenal’s hungry, Chelsea’s confident, City’s lurking, and United’s loaded. At the bottom, it’s pure desperation.

The whistle’s about to blow — and the chaos starts tonight.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

England - Premier

Friday

22.00: (1.35) Liverpool (5.60) Bournemouth (9.50)

Saturday

14.30: (2.30) Aston Villa (3.60) Newcastle (3.20)

17.00: (1.95) Brighton (3.50) Fulham (3.90)

17.00: (3.20) Sunderland (3.45) West Ham (2.35)

17.00: (1.38) Tottenham (4.70) Burnley (8.50)

19.30: (6.75) Wolverhampton (4.40) Man.City (1.48)

Sunday

16.00: (1.63) Chelsea (3.80) Crystal Palace (5.70)

16.00: (2.20) Nott.Forest (3.40) Brentford (3.30)

18.30: (3.60) Man.Utd. (3.50) Arsenal (2.15)

Monday

22.00: (2.50) Leeds (3.25) Everton (2.90)

***odds are subject to change***