With the new season of the Premier League kicking off this weekend, fans all over the world are excited. Amid the ongoing chaos of the transfer window, with most teams strengthening their ranks and replacing outgoing players, we are in for another competitive year of football.
There are mouthwatering contests to look forward to on the first day of the season itself. While Liverpool host the Cherries on Friday, the Villans face the Magpies on Saturday. Chelsea have a tough first act against Crystal Palace, with the weekend ending with a blockbuster encounter between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Let’s take a look at all the match-ups of Gameweek 1 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Reds have gone through a massive transition over the summer, especially in their forward line, given the departures of Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez and the tragic demise of Diogo Jota. They have made some promising additions in Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, have lost almost their entire back line, with Dean Huijsen, Kerkez, Illia Zabarny, and Kepa Arrizabalaga having moved on. However, new faces have also arrived at the Vitality in Adrian Truffert, Bafodé Diakité, and Djordje Petrovic, with a few coming back from loans elsewhere.
This could be a difficult campaign for the Cherries. However, while they’ve lost most of their first-choice defenders from last season, they have managed to hold on to their mainline attackers and could still be a threat for opposition defences.
Liverpool have their own issues; with new players, it could take time. It’s difficult to predict results in the first game of the season, but this could be a tight affair, with both teams likely to end up on the score sheet. However, given their enviable home record over the years, the champions should have enough firepower up front to start their title defence with a win.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Bournemouth
While the Villans narrowly missed out on Champions League football last season, the Magpies managed to secure the same with a top-five finish despite losing their last two league games.
Newcastle have faced a torrid time in the transfer market in recent weeks, with most of their targets preferring to move to other clubs. With Callum Wilson leaving and Alexander Isak refusing to train to force a move away, the Tyneside outfit are in dire need of options up front.
As for Aston Villa, they have their own difficulties. Out of the Champions League this season and facing issues due to the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Villa haven’t been able to bolster their ranks to the extent they would have wanted, though they have managed to keep hold of most of their key players.
In their last meeting, Villa thrashed Newcastle 4–1, completely dominating the proceedings from the very first minute. They will miss Morgan Rogers on the opening day due to injury, while Emi Martínez is suspended. As for Newcastle, Isak is suspended, while Anthony Gordon and Joe Willock are out injured.
Villa at home are a tough side to beat for any opposition. With most of their starting players available, they should be able to bag all three points in this game.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 2–0 Newcastle
The Seagulls ended last season on a high, winning four of their last five encounters to finish eighth in the table, narrowly missing out on European football. Fulham, on the other hand, started the season well but huffed and puffed towards the end to finish eleventh.
While Brighton have managed to keep hold of most of their key players, they’ve also welcomed quality additions in Maxim De Cuyper and Stefanos Tzimas. Fulham, meanwhile, have hardly made any additions to their squad.
There are quite a few players missing for Brighton for the opening game, including Carlos Baleba, Adam Webster, Jack Hinshelwood, and Tariq Lamptey, while the Cottagers have Antonee Robinson missing due to injury.
It’s a difficult game to call. That said, even though Brighton have the home advantage and a stronger squad on paper, Fulham have the players to sufficiently trouble them and take away a point.
Score prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Fulham
The newly promoted Black Cats, returning to the top flight after eight long years, haven’t rested on their laurels and have been proactive in the transfer market. Having sold their star player Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, they have made a massive statement by signing the likes of Simon Adingra, Habib Diarra, Granit Xhaka, and Noah Sadiki.
West Ham, on the other hand, endured a dismal campaign last season and flirted with relegation despite making massive signings in the summer. They have made some decent signings this time around as well, though, having added Mads Hermansen, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Callum Wilson to their ranks.
Looking at their pre-season form, Sunderland haven’t really got going. They also have quite a few players missing out through injury, while West Ham only have Crysencio Summerville on the injury list.
Based on their pre-season form and the amount of new faces in their camp, we anticipate a harsh reality check on the first day of the season for the Black Cats.
Score prediction: Sunderland 0–2 West Ham
On paper, Spurs have a fairly easy encounter against newly promoted Burnley in their opening fixture, though they had better be wary of being too complacent.
Spurs had a dismal season in the league last term, finishing in a lowly 17th, which ultimately led to manager Ange Postecoglou losing his job despite helping them win the Europa League and end their infamous trophy drought. Set to play in the Champions League this season, Spurs have been productive in the transfer window, with quality additions in the form of Mohammed Kudus, João Palhinha, and Luka Vuskovic, with moves for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso also made permanent.
The Clarets, meanwhile, have had a yo-yo relationship with the Premier League in recent years. After five consecutive seasons in the top flight between 2016 and 2021, they have been oscillating between the PL and the Championship. As for incomings, Burnley have strengthened their squad with the likes of Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Kyle Walker, and Martin Dúbravka.
In terms of absences, Spurs have a host of players out injured — most noticeably James Maddison, who suffered an ACL injury in pre-season. Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, and Destiny Udogie are also doubtful. Burnley, meanwhile, are missing Bashir Humphreys, Connor Roberts, and Zeki Amdouni.
Looking at their squad depth, form, experience, and the home advantage, Spurs should be able to start their campaign with all three points despite Burnley’s solid defence.
Score prediction: Spurs 2–0 Burnley
For the most part, Wolves and Manchester City both had a dismal 2024/25 season according to their respective standards. However, both teams somewhat redeemed themselves towards the end, with Wolves turning around their form to comfortably avoid relegation and City ensuring Champions League qualification for this season.
This summer, City have been trying to make up for their lack of activity in the transfer market last year and not replacing their ageing players. They have added several quality players to their squad in Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and James Trafford to go with their January signings.
As for Wolves, they haven’t made massive changes to their squad, though they have made Jørgen Strand Larsen’s move from Celta Vigo permanent and added Fer López, Jhon Arias, and David Møller Wolfe to their ranks.
In terms of absences, City have Phil Foden, Joško Gvardiol, and Rodri out for this game, while Wolves will have most of their first-choice players available.
Considering the gulf in quality of the two teams and Wolves’ abysmal pre-season form, this could prove to be a difficult opening game for the hosts. Man City, meanwhile, featured at the Club World Cup through the off-season and played just one pre-season friendly — against Palermo, which they won comfortably. Yet, we expect them to start their campaign with a win.
Score prediction: Wolves 1–3 Man City
After their recent success at the Club World Cup, Chelsea will be the team to watch this season. The Blues have bolstered their squad with top-quality signings like João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato. Enzo Maresca & Co have the potential to be surprise contenders for the title this season.
As for Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner has overachieved with the Eagles, having helped them win the FA Cup last season and recently the Community Shield — both against top oppositions.
On paper, Chelsea have the stronger squad. Recent form suggests that they should win this. Palace won’t give up easily, but Chelsea should be able to bag all three points.
Score prediction: Chelsea 3–1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest had a stellar campaign last season and were in with a shout for Champions League qualification until February, after which they dropped off a bit and could only register a seventh-place finish. Due to Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Conference League, Forest will play in the Europa League this season. They’ve added new signings in Dan Ndoye, David Carmo, and Igor Jesus.
Brentford, on the other hand, have been weakened with the loss of head coach Thomas Frank and key players Bryan Mbuemo, Christian Nørgaard, and Mark Flekken — with Yoane Wissa also likely to depart. They have brought in Jordan Henderson, Caoimhín Kelleher, and Michael Kayode, and will be fielding a very different line-up from last season.
Forest at home are difficult to beat. Facing a weakened Brentford side with a new inexperienced manager and potency missing in attack, this could be a comfortable win for the Tricky Trees.
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 2–0 Brentford
This is the showpiece encounter of Gameweek 1 with two heavyweights clashing in a mouthwatering encounter. While the Gunners have probably added the final piece to their puzzle in the form of Viktor Gyökeres, having also strengthened their midfield with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, the Red Devils have made superb attacking additions in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo, and Benjamin Šeško.
Last season, this particular encounter at Old Trafford resulted in a draw. This opening game could be a massive confidence booster for whichever side comes out on top. This will be a tightly contested affair, with neither side likely to throw caution to the wind.
Despite having a historically bad league campaign last season, United’s performances against the top teams were decent. They will go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, but we expect the Gunners to edge them out.
Score prediction: Man United 1–2 Arsenal
Leeds earned automatic qualification last season by winning the Championship, while Everton had a subpar campaign in the Premier League, with things starting to look up towards the end after David Moyes’ return, which helped them avoid relegation.
Leeds have made moves this transfer window, signing many players to strengthen their squad, while Everton have found it difficult to attract big names barring Jack Grealish (on loan) from Man City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea.
Since Leeds have just come back to the Premier League, it will take a few games to properly gauge whether they have the potential to stay up. Everton, on the other hand, have found it difficult to breach opposition defences, though their defence has been solid, with Jordan Pickford in goal being their saviour time and again. This game could end in a tame goalless draw.
Score prediction: Leeds United 0–0 Everton
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