2:04 We look ahead to some of the stats surrounding the opening matchweek of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
Fulham manager Scott Parker has no fresh injury concerns as his side kick off their Premier League return by hosting Arsenal on Saturday.
However, new loan signing Alphonse Areola could have to wait to make his club debut having only joined from Paris St Germain on Wednesday. Kenny Tete became the club’s latest addition on Thursday, but is unlikely to be included in Parker’s matchday squad immediately.
4:53 David Luiz is a doubt for Arsenal’s opening Premier League game with Fulham after missing training on Wednesday, Ian Bolton reports
Arsenal will be without a number of central defensive options for the short trip to west London. David Luiz (neck) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (calf) have joined Calum Chambers (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle) and Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) in the treatment room.
- Mikel Arteta: Fans can relax over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang future
- The new Premier League season on Sky Sports…
- Summer transfer window: Latest done deals
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes could make their debuts in defence, while fellow new signing Willian is in line to make his bow – although Emile Smith Rowe (shoulder) and Gabriel Martinelli (knee) are also out.
2:06 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ‘really optimistic’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will sign a new contract
How to follow and watch highlights: Follow Fulham vs Arsenal in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Stat of the match: Fulham have lost each of their last five Premier League matches against Arsenal, conceding nine goals in their two defeats against the Gunners the last time they were in the top-flight in 2018-19 (1-5 home, 1-4 away).
Crystal Palace vs Southampton – Saturday, 3pm
1:00 The wait is almost over! A new season of football is here on Sky Sports
Crystal Palace could hand a debut to new signing Ebere Eze when Southampton visit on Saturday for the Premier League opener, but the Eagles will be missing several other players.
The former QPR attacker has returned to training after a groin injury and while he is lacking match fitness, he will be part of the squad to face Saints alongside Michy Batshuayi, who joined on loan from Chelsea on Thursday.
0:59 Michy Batshuayi says he feels at ‘home’ after returning to Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea and is pleased to work again under Roy Hodgson
Unfortunately for Roy Hodgson, he will be without Gary Cahill, James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho (all hamstring), Patrick Van Aanholt (shoulder), Nathan Ferguson (knee), Christian Benteke (foot) and Connor Wickham (unspecified) for the clash. Scott Dann is also a doubt with a knock.
- Ralph Hasenhuttl hopes to build on last season’s momentum
- Transfer Centre LIVE!
- Sky Sports Fantasy Football returns
Southampton will be without Stuart Armstrong at Selhurst Park. The midfielder suffered a thigh injury on international duty with Scotland.
Defender Mohammed Salisu, a summer signing from Spanish side Real Valladolid, could make his Saints debut.b
How to follow and watch highlights: Follow Crystal Palace vs Southampton in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Stat of the match: Crystal Palace have won just three of their 22 Premier League matches against Southampton (D6 L13), with this the first time they’ve met on the opening day.
Liverpool vs Leeds – Saturday, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson may have to settle for a place on the bench for their Premier League opener at home to Leeds. The midfielder only returned to full training this week after a knee injury prematurely ended last season for him.
- Jamie Redknapp on Liverpool’s title hopes, transfer priorities
- Gary Neville & Jamie Carragher: Who will lift the 2020/21 PL trophy?
Jurgen Klopp will make a late call on the trio of Henderson, Xherdan Shaqiri and new signing Kostas Tsimikas.
0:43 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not that comfortable with talk of ‘defending’ the title, and says his team will be attacking the season with the same gusto as usual
Leeds’ club record signing Rodrigo and another summer recruit, defender Robin Koch, could make their debuts.
- Leeds confirm Marcelo Bielsa contract extension
- Marcelo Bielsa ready for Premier League challenge
Marcelo Bielsa has a full-strength squad to choose from for Leeds’ first Premier League game in 16 years, apart from Adam Forshaw. The midfielder is working his way back from a long-term hip injury, but Kalvin Phillips will return to the squad after missing the final three games of last season due to a knee injury.
4:53 Ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League and their opening fixture against Champions Liverpool we take a look back at the greatest goals in the previous Premier League meetings between the two sides
How to follow and watch highlights: Liverpool vs Leeds will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 5pm; kick-off is at 5.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Liverpool vs Leeds
September 12, 2020, 5:00pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
- Leeds can give Liverpool a scare – Jones Knows
- The fall and rise of Leeds United
Stat of the match: Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight games against Leeds in all competitions (W6 D2), since a 1-2 defeat in April 2001 in the Premier League.
West Ham vs Newcastle – Saturday, 8pm, live on Sky Sports
West Ham manager David Moyes revealed he will have Tomas Soucek available for his side’s first match of the Premier League season against Newcastle. Soucek had been a doubt for the game after being part of the Czech Republic international squad when a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
Moyes has no new injury concerns, however ahead of the start to the campaign.
1:02 David Moyes admits West Ham are unable to pay £50m for James Tarkowski and is unsure if they will return with a third bid for the Burnley defender
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has decisions to make having made three signings this week. Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis have joined Jeff Hendrick on Tyneside in the last few days, and all four will hope for some involvement at the London Stadium.
- Steve Bruce: New signings have lifted us in ‘storm’
- David Moyes: West Ham can’t pay £50m for James Tarkowski
- Notebook: Steve Bruce succeeds where Rafa Benitez failed
Karl Darlow, who along with Isaac Hayden signed a new contract on Friday, will start in place of the injured Martin Dubravka, while Matt Ritchie is a doubt with a calf problem. Paul Dummett (tendon), Fabian Schar (shoulder), Ciaran Clark (ankle), Matty Longstaff (thigh) and Dwight Gayle (knee) are out.
6:19 SSN reporter Keith Downie analyses what the Premier League rejecting Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle means for the club
How to follow and watch highlights: West Ham vs Newcastle will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 7.45pm; kick-off is at 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
West Ham vs Newcastle
September 12, 2020, 7:45pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
Stat of the match: West Ham have scored two or more goals in each of their last five Premier League games against Newcastle United; only versus Blackburn Rovers in March 2007 have they had a longer such scoring run against a team in the competition (7 games).
West Brom vs Leicester – Sunday, 2pm, live on Sky Sports
Kenneth Zohore and Conor Townsend are injury concerns for West Brom before their opening Premier League fixture against Leicester.
Both players have missed games during Albion’s pre-season preparations – Zohore with a calf issue and Townsend due to an ankle problem. Zohore will not be fit for Sunday’s opener but Townsend has been training this week and could be involved.
0:44 Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says his squad is not big enough to compete in four competitions this season
The Baggies expect to sign former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic ahead of the match but the veteran is short of match fitness and will not figure against the Foxes.
- PODCASTS: The new Pitch to Post
- Matt Piper out of the darkness
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has a defensive hole to fill give the string of absentees he is dealing with. Jonny Evans’ suspension is compounded by the absence of Wes Morgan and Filip Benkovic through injury, meaning Wilfred Ndidi could drop back to partner Caglar Soyuncu.
0:37 Brendan Rodgers says Leicester are targeting ‘quality’ signings in a variety of positions as he seeks to improve his Leicester squad ahead of the new season
James Maddison and Christian Fuchs will be assessed after returning to training this week, while summer signing Timothy Castagne is pushing for his debut. Daniel Amartey and Ricardo Pereira are not ready to feature as they recover from long-term lay-offs.
How to follow and watch highlights: West Brom vs Leicester will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm; kick-off is at 2pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
W Brom vs Leicester
September 13, 2020, 1:00pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
Stat of the match: West Bromwich Albion have lost their last four Premier League home games against Leicester City – their longest ever losing streak at home to the Foxes.
Tottenham vs Everton – Sunday, 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Tottenham will include summer signings Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Doherty and Joe Hart in their squad to face Everton.
- Jose Mourinho confident Spurs will sign striker
- James Rodriguez: Everton mean business
Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt having missed all of pre-season with an injury that bugged him at the back end of last season. Harry Winks should be available after he was forced to pull out of last week’s England squad.
Everton’s three new signings James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure are set for debuts.
0:39 James Rodriguez is confident everything is in place for Everton to achieve ‘big things’ together following his summer move from Real Madrid
Mason Holgate will miss out with a toe injury sustained in last weekend’ friendly against Preston but Yerry Mina is fit to play and will partner Michael Keane. Fabian Delph, who has not featured since February due to a number of injury problems, will be assessed before the match.
How to follow and watch highlights: Tottenham vs Everton will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 4pm; kick-off is at 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Tottenham vs Everton
September 13, 2020, 4:00pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
Stat of the match: Everton have won just three of their 28 away Premier League matches against Tottenham (D8 L17), with all three wins coming in consecutive seasons between 2006-07 and 2008-09 – they are winless in 11 visits since November 2008 (D4 L7).
Sheffield United vs Wolves – Monday, 6pm, live on Sky Sports
1:31 Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is delighted with the players they have brought into the club in this transfer window
Sheffield United have injury doubts over a couple of players ahead of their opening game of the season against Wolves at Bramall Lane.
- PL players to wear ‘No Room For Racism’ badges in 2020/21
- Premier League club-by-club 2020/21 fixtures
Chris Wilder did not name those concerned but said they were “touch and go” for Monday. One of the players could be club record signing Sander Berge after the midfielder was sent home from international duty with Norway last week after suffering a knee problem.
Summer recruits Aaron Ramsdale, Max Lowe, Jayden Bogle, Oliver Burke and Ethan Ampadu are all in contention, with goalkeeper Ramsdale set to start following the departure of Dean Henderson.
1:03 Good Morning Transfers analyse Wolves’ club-record signing of Fabio Silva from Porto
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to include record buy Fabio Silva in his squad. The 18-year-old striker cost £35m when joining from Porto last week and fellow new signings Vitinha and Fernando Marcal are also expected to travel.
Jonny remains out after suffering a serious knee injury which will keep him out until next year.
Sheff Utd vs Wolves
September 14, 2020, 5:00pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
How to follow and watch highlights: Sheffield United vs Wolves will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 5pm; kick-off is at 6pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Stat of the match: Sheffield United have lost only two of their last 13 home games against Wolves in league competition (W7 D4 L2), winning each of the last two, including this exact fixture in the Premier League in 2019-20.
Brighton vs Chelsea – Monday, 8.15pm, live on Sky Sports
0:59 Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard says he understands his second season in charge will bring a ‘different pressure’ after spending more than £200m on six summer signings
Adam Lallana, Joel Veltman and Ben White could make Premier League debuts for Brighton on Monday Night Football. Lallana and Veltman were signed from Liverpool and Ajax respectively during the summer, while centre-back White is back on the south coast following a successful loan spell with Leeds.
- Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell out; Thiago Silva doubt for Chelsea
- Fans’ return to stadiums on October 1 to be reviewed
Christian Walton (ankle) and Florin Andone (knee) are the only players unavailable to Graham Potter.
0:57 Brighton boss Graham Potter has not ruled out making more signings but is happy with his current squad, which includes Ben White after the highly regarded defender agreed a new four-year deal
Hakim Ziyech will miss out for Chelsea due to a knee injury, Ben Chilwell is not ready to feature after a heel concern, while the Amex Stadium clash should come too soon for Thiago Silva.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic are in contention however, having shaken off injuries picked up at the tail-end of last term.
Brighton vs Chelsea
September 14, 2020, 8:00pm
Live on
Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass
How to follow and watch highlights: Brighton vs Chelsea will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 8pm; kick-off is at 8.15pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Stat of the match: Chelsea have never lost against Brighton in league competition, winning nine and drawing one. The Blues have faced Brighton more times without ever losing than they have against any other side in their league history.
Sourse: skysports.com
