It’s opening night in the English Premier League, and the defending champions Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday in a clash that pits title favourites against stubborn underdogs.
For Arne Slot’s men, it’s about starting as they mean to go on. For Andoni Iraola’s side, it’s about proving that last season’s historic run was no fluke.
Liverpool enter as champions for the first time since their 2019-20 triumph, while Bournemouth arrive seeking a first-ever win at Anfield. Something has to give.
🟥 Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 17 home Premier League matches.
🍒 Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven opening-day fixtures.
♻️ Liverpool vs Bournemouth Key Stats 📊:
📊 Head-to-head at Anfield (Premier League): Liverpool dominant, Bournemouth no wins.
📊 Liverpool's last home defeat in the EPL: September 2024 vs Nottingham Forest.
📊 Bournemouth’s last opening-day defeat: 2017-18 vs West Brom
📊 Liverpool unbeaten in opening-day matches since 2012-13.
📊 Liverpool Form in all comps: (L W W W D) vs Bournemouth Form in all comps: (W W L L D).
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:
🔴Liverpool:
The champions return after Community Shield disappointment against Crystal Palace, albeit at a penalty shootout. Nonetheless, defensive frailties were exposed.
That said, Anfield remains a fortress, and Mohamed Salah’s influence still looms large. Hugo Ekitike made a dream debut with a goal at Wembley and could be key again.
Gravenberch’s absence through suspension will be felt, but Alexis Mac Allister should step in to control the midfield. With Frimpong and Kerkez likely to make competitive debuts, Slot’s new-look XI will aim to blend fresh talent with title-winning experience.
🔵Bournemouth:
The Cherries had a record-breaking 2024-25 but saw their defence dismantled in the summer. Both starting centre-backs for the Cherries, Huijsen and Zabarnyi, in addition to key figures like Kerkez and Kepa, have departed, leaving Iraola with a reshuffled backline.
Pre-season hasn’t inspired confidence either, with only one win in four games, but their historical opening-day resilience offers hope with Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat remaining intact.
Antoine Semenyo is fit and flying after signing a new deal, while ex-Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic gets his Premier League debut. Injury concerns linger over key attackers like Luis Sinisterra and Justin Kluivert.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson (GK); Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):
Petrovic (GK); Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:
🔹 Mohamed Salah – Still Liverpool’s talisman, chasing another hot start.
🔹 Hugo Ekitike – New signing looking to cement a place up front (before Isak come).
🔹 Antoine Semenyo – Direct and dangerous, could trouble the Reds’ defence.
🔹 Mac Allister vs Adams – Midfield battle of control vs disruption.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:
💵 Liverpool/Home to win = 1.45 ✅
💵 Salah to score = 1.77 ✅
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.38 ✅
💵 Bournemouth/Away to win = 8.67 ✅
This isn’t just another season opener. Liverpool are out to make an early statement in their title defence, while Bournemouth want to break their Anfield voodoo.
The Premier League curtain rises on Merseyside — only one side will walk away with the first bragging rights of 2025-26.
🔗 You can follow the Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen pre-season friendly here on MSport.
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It’s the curtain-raiser for the European season, but with everything on the line. PSG and Tottenham meet on Wednesday in Udine, Italy, in the UEFA Super Cup, bringing the Champions League winners against the Europa League holders in a clash of champions.
This is the first competitive meeting between these sides in this competition — and it comes with contrasting preparations. PSG have played no pre-season friendlies after a gruelling Club World Cup run.
Spurs have had six summer outings under Frank, but a heavy 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in their final warm-up leaves questions.
🔴🔵 PSG completed a clean sweep of domestic trophies in 2024-25.
⚪ Tottenham won the Europa League but finished 17th in the Premier League.
♻️ PSG vs Tottenham Key Facts 📊:
📊 First-ever meeting in the Super Cup.
📊 PSG – first Champions League title in history last season.
📊 Tottenham – first Super Cup appearance.
📊 PSG was unbeaten in all domestic competitions last year.
📊 The only meeting between the two sides ended 2:4 for the Spurs.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥:
PSG:
Luis Enrique’s men wrote history last season, finally delivering the Champions League trophy to Paris with a stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final.
They’ve had little rest, falling short in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea, but the squad remains largely intact. Expect their technical midfield and attacking flair to test Spurs from the first whistle.
Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez return from suspension, but Joao Neves is banned. New goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier should make his debut in a full-strength XI after Donnarumma’s exile from the team.
Tottenham:
The Ange Postecoglou era ended despite Europa League glory, replaced by Thomas Frank’s methodical style. Spurs’ pre-season was solid until the loss to Bayern, but wins over sides like Arsenal offer encouragement.
Injuries are a concern — Maddison, Kulusevski, and Dragusin are long-term absentees, while Solanke and Udogie remain doubtful. Bissouma has been left out of the squad due to “lateness to training”.
Expect a compact setup looking to hit PSG on the counter through Kudus and Richarlison.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥:
PSG (4-3-3):
Chevalier (GK); Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Tottenham (4-3-3):
Vicario (GK); Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr; Johnson, Richarlison, Kudus.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀:
🔹 Ousmane Dembele – Direct wing play to unsettle Spurs’ defence.
🔹 Kvaratskhelia – Threatening dribbling with legs for days.
🔹 Fabian Ruiz vs Palhinha – Midfield control could decide the tempo.
🔹 Mo Kudus – New Spurs star ready to shine on debut stage with his electric pace and dribbling.
💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵:
💵 PSG to win = 1.45 ✅
💵 Tottenham Hotspurs = 6.71 ✅
💵 Over 3.5 goals = 2.16 ✅
For PSG, it’s a chance to build on an unprecedented quadruple. For Spurs, it’s a shot at history in their first-ever Super Cup appearance under new boss Thomas Frank.
This isn’t just a ceremonial opener — it’s a statement game. PSG want to confirm their European dominance with yet another trophy. Tottenham want to prove their European success wasn’t a one-off.
Udine will see champions collide, and by the end of 90 minutes, one side will lift its first-ever UEFA Super Cup.
So, who takes it? Let us know in the comments below.
🔗 You can follow the Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen pre-season friendly here on MSport.
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