Category Sports News

Here we go again.

The annual act of folly and crystal ball-gazing that brings about my Premier League predictions.

I may still be living down the ill-fated belief that Leicester City would be relegated in the season they won the title, but it is time to have a crack at predicting how the forthcoming top-flight campaign might pan out.

Last season: Champions

It’s hard to see past Liverpool as this season’s Premier League champions.

This is a team that won the title at a 10-point canter last term and has been strengthened by a remarkable summer spending spree. The transition is still a work in progress, as the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace proved, but this a prediction made with complete confidence.

What should have been a summer of joy has lived under the shadow of the tragic death of beloved striker Diogo Jota – killed in a car crash – as well as the incident that left supporters injured at the title trophy parade.

The season will start without the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, but Florian Wirtz was a statement signing – one of Europe’s most coveted forwards – at £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, along with full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. New striker Hugo Ekitike, signed for an initial £69m from Eintracht Frankfurt, showed his class with a goal in the Community Shield.

Last season: Second

This is the acid test for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. No more talk of process and progress. It is time for actual silverware after five years without a trophy.

This time, Arteta has been given all the required tools to do the job – an already talented squad bolstered by the class of Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and – at long last and at least 12 months too late – a recognised striker in Viktor Gyokeres.

This is a team with enough to mount a meaningful title pursuit and challenge for the biggest prizes.

Last season: Third

It’s a hazardous business going against Manchester City as prospective champions but I feel there may be too much ground for Pep Guardiola and his team to make up.

Never rule out a squad containing such quality, although they will desperately hope the lingering clouds over the fitness of Rodri – their most important player, who missed nearly all of last season – roll away.

Erling Haaland remains a magnificent spearhead while Omar Marmoush looked a high-class attacking reinforcement last season.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is another fine addition, while France forward Rayan Cherki comes with rave notices. There are also high hopes for Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders after his £46.5m arrival from AC Milan.

And this will hopefully be the season when Phil Foden returns to his best – a game-changer.

Last season: Fourth

It’s sometimes hard to keep track of events at Chelsea, but what we do know is they are the World Club champions and Conference League holders, and finally seem to be on the right track under Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea have added the quality of Joao Pedro from Brighton in attack as well as the youthful promise of Liam Delap. Jamie Gittens is another intriguing addition while the brilliance of Cole Palmer makes him the talisman.

And the progress of 18-year-old Brazilian wonder boy Estevao Willian will be followed keenly.

Last season: Sixth

They missed out on Champions League football on the final day of last season but I fully expect them to be at the sharp end of the Premier League once more under the outstanding guidance of Unai Emery.

Much will depend on the remainder of the transfer window, with Morgan Rogers a key figure. All overtures made towards him will be resisted by Villa, though there has also been speculation surrounding England striker Ollie Watkins. Local boy Jacob Ramsey may yet leave for Newcastle United – offering Emery funds for other incomings.

Last season: Fifth

It’s been a thoroughly miserable summer on Tyneside after the elation of winning the Carabao Cup – a first domestic trophy since 1955 – then securing Champions League qualification on the last day of the season.

The list of potential transfer targets that have ended up elsewhere has been long and embarrassing, with the final insult the toxic stand-off with their brilliant striker, match-winner and main goalscorer Alexander Isak, who has set his heart on a move to Liverpool.

So why such an optimistic prediction given this evidence?

Simply because manager Eddie Howe engineered last season’s success superbly after a summer of turbulence behind the scenes.

Newcastle have a fine side when everyone is fit.

It seems impossible, at this stage, that fences can be mended with Isak, but new ones can be built with the arrival of Germany defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan and a move for Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey.

Last season: 15th

This prediction may raise eyebrows even among some fervent Manchester United fans, but it is based on Ruben Amorim having had an entire summer to get his entrenched three-man central-defensive system firmly fixed in his players’ minds and also because of some serious strengthening in attack.

Amorim has spent in the region of £200m on Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford, and the capture of RB Leipzig’s prized striker Benjamim Sesko in a deal that could be worth £74m. This will, or at least should, carry some serious threat.

They surely cannot be as bad again. Can they?

Last season: 17th

A seismic summer at Spurs as Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League – their first trophy in 17 years – and replaced by Brentford’s Thomas Frank.

It also featured the departure of one of the club’s modern-day greats as Son Heung-Min joined Los Angeles FC – so there is very much a sense of (another) fresh start at Spurs.

Frank is a big, charismatic personality who will relish the task after doing a magnificent job at Brentford, though there will also be greater scrutiny on his work, and not just from hard-to-please chairman Daniel Levy.

Still, expect this to be a season of improvement in the Premier League. It could not get worse than last season – or Spurs would find themselves in the Championship – and they should again be contenders for a cup.

The collapsed move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was a setback, while the long-term injury to James Maddison hits hard, but Joao Palhinha – signed on loan from Bayern Munich – proved his Premier League quality at Fulham and Mohammed Kudus could provide a new ‘X-factor’ in attack.

Last season: 12th

Palace’s fortunes, and consequently their league placing, will inevitably be shaped by the fortunes of two of their most influential figures.

And that means whether they keep hold of prized assets Marc Guehi – their captain – and FA Cup final match-winner Eberechi Eze.

There is serious doubt surrounding Guehi’s future – with Liverpool trying to close a deal – while Eze has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Spurs.

Irrespective of their final destinations, this is a Palace side with quality running right through it under the leadership of a top-class manager in Oliver Glasner – although he has sounded frustrated that more has not been done to build on last season’s historic success.

They have already shown what they are about with the Community Shield win over Liverpool, with keeper Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton (surely a contender for an England start) influential – plus an attack which has Jean-Philippe Mateta as its focal point with Eze and Ismaila Sarr serious threats.

Last season: Seventh

It was a stellar season last time out for Nottingham Forest, who were serious Champions League contenders until late nerves set in. I’m not expecting as much this season but European football is back at the City Ground and no-one can question the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Morgan Gibbs-White looked gone to Spurs one minute then signed a new contract the next – a huge boost after the departure of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle.

Forest still have the bedrock of goalkeeper Matz Sels with powerful defensive duo Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in front of him, and adding Brazil striker Igor Jesus and Switzerland winger Dan Ndoye has provided extra threat.

Last season: Eighth

This superbly run club continue to be a presence in the upper reaches of the Premier League, although the loss of Joao Pedro to Chelsea will leave a big hole.

Fabian Hurzeler enjoyed a very good first season at the Amex, and Brighton have been working the markets in their usual fashion, with smart acquisitions of young, developing players.

Lots of eyes will be on 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas – the highly rated Greek striker signed from Olympiakos – while 21-year-old Italy defender Diego Coppola – signed from Hellas Verona – looks a typically smart Brighton signing.

Last season: 13th

Everton enter a new era at a magnificent stadium under owners the Friedkin Group and with returning manager David Moyes hoping to build on the revival he inspired in the second half of last term.

And a summer of transfer frustration finally brought the big reward of the potentially game-changing acquisition of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s arrival from Leicester City.

Grealish has plenty to prove and a World Cup to aim for. Have Everton pulled off a masterstroke?

It was also a statement of intent that defender Jarrad Branthwaite was given a new, long-term contract. He will be vital, as he was last season, along with defensive partner James Tarkowski and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Last season: 14th

It was an underwhelming first few months for West Ham under Graham Potter, but it must be remembered he is a builder as opposed to a quick-fix manager.

Additions looks sensible, with more to come.

Kyle Walker-Peters and El-Hadji Malick Diouf – from Southampton and Slavia Prague respectively – have strengthened defence.

Callum Wilson – signed on a free transfer from Newcastle – will be a bustling threat in attack if he can stay fit, while Mads Hermansen adds real depth and quality in the goalkeeping department after coming in from Leicester City.

And, of course, West Ham still have the outstanding Jarrod Bowen.

Last season: 11th

It’s been a very quiet summer at Fulham so far, though full-back Kenny Tete’s decision to reject Everton to stay at Craven Cottage is a big plus.

Fulham are confident there is no need for a big overhaul of Marco Silva’s squad, with plenty of talent such as defender Anthonee Robinson, along with midfield players of the quality of Andreas Pereira and others. Harry Wilson can always be relied upon for an important contribution.

As with their summer, this will be another season of stability for Fulham under the tactically astute Silva. Mid-table perhaps – but with the capacity to do more and always trouble teams higher up the table.

Last season: Ninth

What to make of the Cherries now the defence that served them so well has been ransacked?

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – on loan from Chelsea last season – has gone to Arsenal, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool, Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain.

As with clubs like Brentford and Brighton, Bournemouth’s structure is sound so they will prepare for such eventualities, but that is a tough rebuild, even for a manager as talented as Andoni Iraola.

He cannot afford any more key departures and at least there has been strengthening, with much resting on keeper Djordje Petrovic – signed from Chelsea – and highly rated France left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes. Bafode Diakite will be expected to fill one of the central-defensive berths after his £34.6m capture from Lille.

Last season: 10th

For the first time in a long time, I genuinely fear for Brentford, who have been a superb Premier League presence with Thomas Frank – now departed for Spurs – at the helm.

I seriously believe their season could go to the wire, with new manager Keith Andrews untested at Premier League level, and with key departures such as main striker Bryan Mbuemo to Manchester United and vastly underrated midfielder Christian Norgaard to Arsenal, with gifted forward Yoane Wissa clearly casting longing glances towards Newcastle United.

They have, however, signed a proven high-class goalkeeper in Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool, while 35-year-old England midfielder Jordan Henderson will provide leadership, vast experience and an example.

The big question is whether Henderson can still cut it in the Premier League at this late stage of his career.

Last season: Championship winners

Someone has got to buck the growing trend of ‘three up, three straight back down’ from the Championship’s promoted sides, so I am going to say Leeds United will break that glass ceiling.

A club of huge stature, Elland Road will be a bearpit this season and will be a difficult environment for any visiting side. This will hold the key to their survival hopes.

Daniel Farke has a new keeper in Lyon’s Lucas Perri – signed for £15.6m. It may finally be the time Illan Meslier pays the price for too many high-profile errors.

In Dominic Calvert-Lewin – close to signing on a free transfer after leaving Everton – Leeds are acquiring a striker who has proven Premier League pedigree but has been troubled by long injury absences in recent years.

If he can stay fit, Leeds will have a very valuable asset.

Sean Longstaff provides experience and a competitive edge after arriving from Newcastle United, while additions elsewhere have come in the shape of left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille, centre-back Jaka Bijol from Udinese, and centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and forward Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg.

Last season: 16th

This prediction is made with a heavy heart and hint of surprise given how the charismatic Vitor Pereira revived Wolves last season, but there have been some damaging departures and not enough quality incomings.

The class of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha was integral to Wolves last season and that is a heavy double loss to Manchester City and Manchester United respectively.

Jhon Arias – the Colombian signed from Fluminense for £15m – takes Cunha’s number 10 shirt but will he have the same impact?

Fer Lopez – signed from Celta Vigo – is a youngster of promise.

Last season: Fourth in Championship (promoted via play-offs)

No-one could accuse Sunderland of not having a go at staying up – bringing in enough players for a new XI to build on their promotion last season.

There have been 11 new signings at the last count as manager Regis le Bris receives strong backing in the battle to stay in the Premier League.

Granit Xhaka’s seven years of Premier League experience with Arsenal, as well as his success with Bayer Leverkusen, will be vital, while the arrival of Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra from Strasbourg in a club record £30m deal was another notable signing. The Black Cats also paid Brighton £21m for winger Simon Adingra to add more Premier League experience.

Other arrivals include former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku, Enzo le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Robin Roefs and Marc Guiu.

Last season: Second in Championship

Burnley, like Sunderland, have been making it clear they have no intention of suffering the joyless, timid, instant return to the Championship they experienced under Vincent Kompany, after Scott Parker brought them back up last season.

The Clarets have been busy bringing new faces to Turf Moor, although the departure of James Trafford to Manchester City after keeping 29 clean sheets in the Championship last season will be felt. He has been replaced by the experienced Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United.

Parker will look to veteran England defender Kyle Walker to give his team top-flight know-how, while all fingers will be crossed that injury plagued but unquestionably talented striker Armando Broja can stay fit after his £20m arrival from Chelsea. Much will depend on him.

Burnley also believe they have pulled off a coup with the signing of another Chelsea player – French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. The 21-year-old has joined in a £20m deal.

Tottenham have said they are “disgusted” by the racial abuse received by forward Mathys Tel following their defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup.

The club, who lost 4-3 on penalties after letting slip a two-goal lead, said people who had sent abusive messages to Tel on social media were “nothing but cowards”.

Tel, 20, came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and was one of two Spurs players who failed to convert from the spot in the penalty shootout.

“Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards – hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views,” Tottenham said.

“We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.

“We stand with you, Mathys.”

Spurs’ statement comes after England defender Jess Carter revealed she had been the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025 last month.

As a result, the Lionesses stopped the anti-racism gesture of taking a knee before matches as they argued it was “clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism”.

On Tuesday, Carter said she feared her England team-mate Lauren James would suffer “astronomical” racist abuse if she had been the only player to have missed a penalty in their Euro quarter-final shootout against Sweden.

In June, tennis players – including Britain’s Katie Boulter – demanded more action from social media companies to stop “dangerous” online abuse after Boulter said receiving abusive content and death threats had become “the norm” for athletes.

Europa League winners Tottenham led 2-0 after 84 minutes and were minutes away from claiming their second trophy in three months before PSG fought back, levelling the match when Goncalo Ramos headed in a 94th-minute equaliser.

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven saw his spot-kick saved before Frenchman Tel sent his shot wide. Nuno Mendes held his nerve to convert the winning penalty for PSG.

Tottenham signed Tel on a permanent deal, worth around £30m, in June after he joined the club on loan in January.

Welcome to the new football season.

You know the feeling. That buzz in your stomach. That hopeful voice in your head saying “this could be our year”. The highs, the heartbreak, the glorious unpredictability of it all.

From the first whistle to the last-minute drama, we’re right there with you. On the edge of our seats, refreshing the live page, wincing at referees or VAR, shouting at the TV, arguing in the group chat. We are fans. Just like you.

And that’s what this new era of football on BBC Sport is all about… you.

This season, we’re not just covering the games. We’re following the fans. Every goal, every story, every stat, every moment. Brought to you where you want it, when you want it, and how you love it.

Whether you’re shouting for Liverpool or loving Lionesses, whether you back Chelsea Women or Cheltenham Town, you’re at the heart of everything we do.

We’re taking you inside the game more than ever before. That means new shows. New formats. New voices. New perspectives. More radio commentaries than we’ve ever had across the leagues. More updates on the club pages on our app and website up and down the pyramid.

We’ll also be showing you the key parts of Premier League games sooner. On Saturday and Sundays there will be highlights on iPlayer, our app and website available at 8pm (weekday matches or late weekend kick-offs are more like half an hour after full-time).

BBC Sport’s flagship football show, Match of the Day, returns with a brand-new presenting trio ready to bring insight, energy and entertainment every week.

Full-time reaction on the BBC Sport app, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport’s YouTube channel along with TV’s excellent Final Score programme will ensure you’re up to date (including how your fantasy team has done).

Then tactical breakdowns and unpicking of the big talking points that go beyond the obvious will take you closer to the players, the managers and the moments that matter, on the main show later that night. And it’s the same again for Champions League Wednesdays.

We’re bringing in a true legend of the game, Wayne Rooney, to host a brand-new show diving into the football debates that are dominating your algorithm every week.

Wayne will bring his authority, honesty and experience to cut through the noise and give you the game as it really is. You’ll find it on iPlayer, Sounds, the BBC Sport app and website, YouTube and other social channels and it’s going to be funny, punchy and a perfect companion to the week.

On 5 Live, we’re turning up the volume with 209 Premier League commentaries this season, more than any UK broadcaster.

That’s why we’re the true home of the Premier League. In Scotland and Northern Ireland there is extensive live coverage of the Scottish Premiership and NIFL Premiership across the season.

BBC Local Radio has you covered outside of the top flight too with more than 5,000 commentaries a year across the English football pyramid.

And of course, all the things you already love are still here. Live pages that bring the drama to your fingertips. Fixtures, results, and tables to help you plan your week (and your mood).

The Monday Night Club, Football Focus, The Women’s Football Show and a host of 5 Live shows and podcasts bringing brilliant debate and deep insight. Live coverage of the men’s FA Cup, Women’s Super League, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland World Cup qualifiers and Champions League highlights.

And yes, the BBC Sport socials will still have you doomscrolling and laughing in equal measure.

This is football, like you’ve always loved it but reimagined for right now.

This is your game, your voice, your season.

Wayne Rooney says it was “very unfair” of NFL great Tom Brady to question his work ethic as head coach at Birmingham City.

Rooney was sacked by Birmingham, where Brady is a part-owner, after 83 days in January 2024.

The former England captain was speaking on a new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, which starts on Friday and will air twice weekly on BBC Sounds, YouTube and iPlayer.

Responding to Brady, the former Everton and Manchester United striker said he was “really disappointed with the comment”.

Brady, who became a minority owner at Birmingham in August 2023, queried Rooney’s attitude during a documentary following him as he got involved at St Andrew’s.

In one scene, following a visit to the club’s training ground in November 2023, the seven-time Super Bowl winner told colleagues he was “a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic”.

“I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don’t think he really understood football that well,” Rooney said.

“But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.”

Championship club Birmingham were taken over by Knighthead Capital Management LLC in June 2023, with Brady joining two months later.

In October 2023, with the team sitting sixth in the Championship, the new ownership controversially replaced manager John Eustace with former England captain Rooney.

However, Manchester United’s record goalscorer only lasted 15 matches in the post before being replaced after the team had plummeted to 20th in the table.

Tony Mowbray succeeded Rooney, but stepped aside, initially on sick leave, eight matches into his reign after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Birmingham, who used seven managers – including caretaker appointments – during the owners’ first 10 months, were relegated to League One at the end of the 2023-24 season.

“When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really,” said Rooney.

“Hence the fact that the players weren’t really the players who could take the club forward.

“You had Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett after me, who also struggled as well.”

In the summer of 2024, with Chris Davies now installed as manager, Birmingham’s new owners invested £30m in transfers, an unprecedented figure for League One.

The club broke the Football League record for most points in a season, finishing top of League One in 2024-25 with a tally of 111.

“Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively,” said Rooney.

“He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good and I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out.”

In the same documentary in which he queried Rooney’s application, Brady also referred to Birmingham players from that disastrous 2023-24 campaign as “lazy and entitled”.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales

Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST

You will be hard pushed to find a prouder rugby club in Wales right now than Nant Conwy.

The north Wales club has produced not just one but two sets of sisters for Wales women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup squad.

Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Sean Lynn’s 32-player group which will kick-off their campaign against Scotland later this month.

“I’m lost for words to be honest, everything that’s happened in the past year has been a whirlwind,” said Branwen.

“I haven’t trained much with the squad yet, but it’s been really great coming into this environment, I’m learning a lot as I go.

“Everyone is really nice and it’s nice to come in as a young player with all these experienced players.”

Asked who she looks up to in the camp, Branwen said: “Definitely Al Cal [Alex Callender] and Kate Williams, they’re just role models, the way they play, the way they talk, I just want to be like them.

“Hopefully I can make a breakthrough at some point, I’m just trying to learn at this time.”

Nel said she was delighted for her not so little sister.

“The family is buzzing,” she said.

“People have asked ‘how do you feel?’. I couldn’t be prouder. I’ve seen how hard she has worked, she deserves this.

Wales is no stranger to having siblings run out together, Horgan twins Claire and Louise both won international honours against France in 2008.

But two sets of sisters is something quite special, even more so when they all come from the same grassroots club.

Gwenllian, Alaw, Nel and Branwen all got their start at Nant Conwy, a community rugby club nestled between the villages of Llanrwst and Trefriw.

“They are always so supportive of us whatever we do,” said Nel.

“It’s just everything about Nant, it’s not just a club, it’s the whole community, everyone knows each other.”

That sense of belonging is underlined by Branwen: “Growing up we were probably there every day,” the younger Metcalfe adds.

“The club has been such a big part of, not just our journey, but our whole family. It’s really nice that we can do this together.”

Nant Conwy RFC chairman Marc Jones said it was with a “heartfelt sincerity” that they celebrated the success of their former players.

“Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment,” he said.

“Their success is intrinsically linked to their coaches, staff and our whole club ethos.

“Being part of the Nant Conwy community, it was only a matter of time that major representation was achieved. They will through their achievements, I’m sure, be a catalyst for all of our players moving forward.”

Tudor Roberts leads the girls section, Ceirw Nant, and he too is “immensely proud” of the girls for making the Wales squad from “humble beginnings”.

“It certainly spurs the young ones on, and shows that the pathway is there and through hard work and commitment it is possible,” he said.

“We wish them all the best of luck and will be cheering them on for sure.