TAWANDA CHARI
The new Premier League season has kicked off, and if the opening fixtures are anything to go by, this is going to be a rollercoaster ride that will leave us all in tears. Well, most of us. You see the fixture list, you check the odds, you think you know what’s coming, and then a newly promoted side goes and smacks a team that was fighting for Europe last season. It's the beautiful game. We love it.
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| The moment when Calafiori scored for the Gunners in their game against Man United, with the former winning by a goal to nil. |
But let’s get into the nitty-gritty, starting with the biggest surprise of the opening weekend: Sunderland. Everyone and their grandmother had them pegged for a swift return to the Championship, but did you see them? A 3-0 demolition of West Ham in their own backyard. That’s not a fluke. They've recruited smartly, and they look like a team that has been underestimated. West Ham, meanwhile, look like they're in for a long, hard season. Along with Everton, Wolves, and Brentford (who, let's be honest, lost their coach to Spurs and their talisman to my own beloved United), they'll be in a proper scrap to stay up. I'd bet my last dollar that Leeds and Burnley will be heading straight back down.
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| Chris Wood was on fire for Nottingham Forest in their game against Brentford. |
Moving on to the teams that will be scrapping it out for the European spots, you have to look at Crystal Palace. They're a classic example of a team that's just ... there. They'll probably finish 11th, same as always, but they'll be a handful for anyone. In the Conference League, they'll probably be very good because the PL has significantly more quality compared to most of the teams in Europe.
Newcastle are a tricky one. Their transfer window has been a horror show, a real shambles since the gaffer was given all the power. I think it’s a terrible move, a recipe for disaster. But, they have the core of a very good team and I do expect them to still sneak into a European spot. Then you have Aston Villa and Spurs—two teams I fully expect to finish in the top six. Brighton will probably do what Brighton do best: play some stunning football and finish around 9th.
And now, for the part that hurts. My beloved Manchester United. It's a team I dearly and wholeheartedly support, but I can't even lie to myself anymore. We haven't addressed the midfield for six years, and Ruben Amorim hasn't had back to back league wins since he came. He's struggled against anyone who isn't relegation fodder. The hope is that I'm proven wrong, but I'm expecting a 10th place finish at best. It just sucks. They play Arsenal today as I write this. I wish it were an easier opponent but the first 3 games are essentially part of preseason, anything can happen. (Edit: Manchester United were actually decent despite the narrow 1 nil loss. Whether that is an actual improvement in performance or it's just too early to judge and United were just sharper; we'll have to wait and see. But that glaring gap in midfield needs attention as soon as possible. Non-negotiable.)
Finally, let's address the title race a bit. It's going to be a fascinating three-way dance I think. Manchester City were smart last season. They effectively wrote off the campaign in January, and it seems they used that time to build for this one. They look solid and will be a serious threat.
Liverpool? You have to wonder if the tragic death of Diogo Jota will affect them. Maybe it will galvanize them, and they'll win the title for him. They have the quality, but I still think they could have used another centre back and a proper deep midfielder. Mac Allister and Gravenberch, for all their talent, might not be enough. And then there's Arsenal. They've been building for years, and it's now or never. Mikel Arteta has to mount a serious challenge this season. They have all the pieces; it's just about getting it done.
And Chelsea? They were a very comfortable top four team last season, finishing fourth with 69 points. Their underlying metrics were excellent, a testament to Enzo Maresca's work, and I see no reason why they won't be right there again. The Premier League is never boring, and this season looks like it will be no different. The question is, how much more pain can my red heart take?
Matchday 1 Results (15–17 August 2025):
• Liverpool 4-2 AFC Bournemouth
• Newcastle United 0-0 Aston Villa
• Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Fulham
• West Ham United 0-3 Sunderland
• Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Burnley
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester City
• Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford
• Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea
• Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
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