Premier League 2025-26 Opening Weekend: Team News, Injuries, and FPL Tips

The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off this weekend, bringing new signings, injury concerns, and plenty of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points. The action begins on Friday night when reigning champions Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield (20:00 BST), before a full schedule across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The 2025/26 Premier League season gets underway this weekend. Here are some of the key updates ahead of the new campaign.https://t.co/FZlTileJd2 pic.twitter.com/vEwVMaWP7m
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 15, 2025

Friday Fixture

Liverpool v Bournemouth (20:00 BST)

Liverpool could hand competitive debuts to several summer recruits, including record signing Florian Wirtz and former Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez. Ryan Gravenberch is suspended after his red card in the final game of last season, while Joe Gomez has returned to training and may be named among the substitutes.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is yet to decide if new centre-back Bafode Diakite will feature so soon after joining the club. Ryan Christie has recovered from a groin injury and returned to training, but this fixture comes too early for him.

For Liverpool, Conor Bradley and Gravenberch are ruled out, with Gomez a fitness doubt. Bournemouth are without Christie, Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert.

From an FPL perspective, Mohamed Salah remains a standout option after recording 47 attacking returns last season, at least 18 more than any other player. Florian Wirtz impressed in the Community Shield by creating a team-high four chances and assisting Hugo Ekitike’s opener. Antoine Semenyo, meanwhile, offers mid-range value after firing 125 shots in the 2024-25 campaign, with only two players attempting more.

Saturday's Fixtures

Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30 BST)

Both of Villa’s senior summer arrivals could start, with Marco Bizot replacing the suspended Emiliano Martinez in goal and Evann Guessand an option across the forward line. Morgan Rogers is fit, but Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia miss out through injury.

Newcastle will be without Alexander Isak, who continues to train away from the main squad amid interest from Liverpool. Joe Willock is also sidelined, while new signings Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale are all in contention to feature. Jacob Ramsey is not expected to be involved, even if his move from Villa is finalised in time.

Watkins will draw plenty of FPL interest after scoring in each of his last four home matches against Newcastle. Rogers also offers potential, having created 16 big chances last season – a tally bettered by only five other midfielders. Elanga could be a differential pick after registering 17 attacking returns for Nottingham Forest last term.

Brighton v Fulham (15:00 BST)

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed Carlos Baleba will be involved despite transfer interest from Manchester United. Jack Hinshelwood is available after a knock, but Solly March and Adam Webster are absent.

Fulham will include Rodrigo Muniz in the squad despite speculation over his future. Manager Marco Silva admitted his frustration at a quiet transfer window, with goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte the club’s only summer signing so far.

Brighton are without March, Webster and Julio Enciso, while Fulham miss Antonee Robinson. Diego Gomez and Charalampos Kostoulas are doubtful for Brighton.

From an FPL perspective, Yasin Ayari has been Brighton’s most productive player in pre-season, contributing two goals and three assists. Kaoru Mitoma’s 69 home points last season was unmatched by any team-mate. For Fulham, Harry Wilson enjoyed a prolific summer, scoring five times and setting up one goal.

Sunderland v West Ham (15:00 BST)

Sunderland have added 11 players over the summer, with Arthur Masuaku and Omar Alderete both awaiting a decision on whether they will be involved. Granit Xhaka has been named captain by head coach Regis Le Bris, who praised his experience and leadership qualities.

West Ham could give debuts to El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters, Callum Wilson and Mads Hermansen. Academy graduate Freddie Potts is also in line for his first Premier League appearance.

Sunderland will be without Dennis Cirkin, Leo Fuhr Hjelde and Romaine Mundle, while Luke O’Nien is a doubt. West Ham miss George Earthy and Crysencio Summerville.

In FPL terms, Xhaka offers a low-cost midfield option after producing two goals and seven assists in 33 Bundesliga games last season for Bayer Leverkusen. Niclas Fullkrug has been sharp in pre-season, scoring in each of West Ham’s final three friendlies. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has quietly become a budget favourite, recording five assists since Graham Potter took charge in January.

Tottenham v Burnley (15:00 BST)

Tottenham’s injury list is significant, with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Destiny Udogie among seven players ruled out. Yves Bissouma returns after a disciplinary absence, while Dominic Solanke could feature following a substitute appearance in midweek.

Burnley have no new injury concerns, although Bashir Humphreys and Zeki Amdouni remain long-term absentees. Maxime Esteve, who started every game in their Championship-winning campaign, is expected to feature in defence.

From an FPL angle, Pape Matar Sarr is attracting interest as a £5.0m midfielder after scoring three goals in pre-season while operating in an advanced role. Cristian Romero’s aerial threat is worth noting after his five league goals last season. Esteve could also be a useful budget option given Burnley’s defensive record in the second tier.

Wolves v Manchester City (15:00 BST)

Wolves are without Leon Chiwone, Yerson Mosquera and Fabio Silva, but new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen could take on penalty duties following Matheus Cunha’s departure.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Rodri is recovering from a groin problem rather than his previous ACL injury, and will only return when fully ready. Savinho, Josko Gvardiol, Ederson and Mateo Kovacic are unavailable. Phil Foden is also a fitness concern.

FPL managers may look to Strand Larsen after his 14 goals and four assists last season. Tijjani Reijnders offers mid-priced midfield potential following 10 goals and four assists for AC Milan. Omar Marmoush, now reclassified as a midfielder, had more shots than any City player from the point of his debut last season.

Sunday's Fixtures

Chelsea v Crystal Palace (14:00 BST)

Crystal Palace expect Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze to start despite ongoing transfer speculation. Borna Sosa could debut, while Daichi Kamada is among six players sidelined.

Chelsea will be without Levi Colwill for most of the season after an ACL injury. Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah are available, but Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia miss out.

Cole Palmer is the most-owned player in FPL after his five attacking returns at the Club World Cup. Jean-Philippe Mateta heads into the season in strong form after four goals and an assist in his final three pre-season outings. Daniel Munoz remains a threat from deep, having topped the charts for defender touches inside the opposition box last season.

Nottingham Forest v Brentford (14:00 BST)

Forest’s only absentee is Nicolas Dominguez, who is out until autumn after knee surgery. New signings James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson may not be registered in time.

Brentford will not include Yoane Wissa due to uncertainty over his future. Caoimhin Kelleher and Kevin Schade are in contention after returning to training, but Vitaly Janelt, Paris Maghoma and Gustavo Nunes are ruled out.

Elliot Anderson could prove a value pick in FPL thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points, having ranked joint-second in that metric last season. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic offer potential for returns in this fixture. Kelleher, owned by 17 per cent of managers, could benefit from Brentford’s strong defensive finish last season, which included 12 clean sheets in their final 27 matches.

Manchester United v Arsenal (16:30 BST)

United forward Benjamin Sesko is pushing for a debut, while Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo are set to feature. Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee have only just returned to training and may not start. Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui are ruled out.

Arsenal are expected to hand a debut to Viktor Gyokeres, alongside Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. Gabriel Jesus is absent, with Leandro Trossard a fitness doubt.

In FPL, Bruno Fernandes has impressed in pre-season with three goals and two assists, four of those contributions coming against Premier League opposition. Cunha, now classified as a midfielder, averaged 5.8 points per start last season. Gyokeres could be on penalty duty at Arsenal, adding to his appeal.

Monday's Fixture

Leeds United v Everton (20:00 BST)

Leeds’ new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin could face his former club just days after completing his free transfer. Jayden Bogle is a late fitness call, while Jaka Bijol is suspended.

Everton will be without key defender Jarrad Branthwaite for several weeks due to a hamstring injury. Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko are doubts, which could hand a debut to teenage full-back Adam Aznou.

For FPL managers, Joel Piroe offers budget forward appeal after finishing as the Championship’s top scorer with 19 goals. James Tarkowski is a consistent source of defensive contribution points, having led the league in that category last season. Jordan Pickford may also be an option after keeping 12 clean sheets in 32 matches last term.