The wait is almost over for the new Premier League season, with 10 fixtures taking place across Friday to Monday, and we have picked out a four-fold to follow.
The wait is almost over as Friday night sees the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, with reigning champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth.
There are five games to look forward to on the first Saturday of the top-flight campaign and four of those matches provide an attractive four-fold.
Selections
Aston Villa to beat Newcastle United @ 5/4
Brighton v Fulham – Draw @ 11/4
Sunderland v West Ham – Draw @ 12/5
Tottenham to beat Burnley & Both teams to score (No) @ 6/5
Four-fold pays @ 62/1
Villa to take advantage of disjointed Magpies
Starting at Villa Park, the standout fixture for Saturday’s schedule sees Aston Villa take on Newcastle United in the West Midlands.
Two sides striving for Champions League qualification again this season, it’s a heavyweight showdown that comes in the midst of a distracting situation at Newcastle.
The Magpies’ preparations for this game have been marred by the uncertainty regarding striker Alexander Isak and his determination to leave the club.
Villa won 4-1 the last time these sides met at Villa Park and, amid the backdrop of the Isak debacle at Newcastle, Unai Emery’s side are good value for the home victory.
Leg 1: Aston Villa to beat Newcastle United @ 5/4
Amex draw on the cards
Fulham can look back on a positive record when they make the trip to the south coast to take on Brighton on Saturday.
The Cottagers have lost just one of their last 10 games against the Seagulls, while the west Londoners have proven to be a tough nut to crack at the Amex Stadium.
Three of the last five meetings between these teams at the Amex have ended in draws and another stalemate might well be in the offing this weekend between two evenly-matched sides.
Leg 2: Brighton v Fulham – Draw @ 11/4
Black Cats can take a point on Premier League return
Nobody can doubt the ambition of the Sunderland hierarchy as the Black Cats return to life in the Premier League on Saturday with West Ham United the visitors.
Signing 11 new players over the summer, Sunderland have looked to narrow the gap on the likes of Leeds United and Burnley, who were the two standout teams in the Championship last season.
The club’s fresh faces will take some time to gel and they face a tricky opener with West Ham United the visitors.
This Hammers side are more settled and having a full pre-season under manager Graham Potter will have done the squad no harm at all.
Backed by a passionate home crowd at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland might just be able to get something from this game and a draw catches the eye.
Leg 3: Sunderland v West Ham – Draw @ 12/5
Spurs to make strong start
Conceding just 16 goals in 46 games in the Championship last season, Burnley’s defence was outstanding.
However, the sale of keeper James Trafford to Manchester City could disrupt the Clarets as they prepare to take on teams with much greater attacking quality than those found in the second tier.
Tottenham are just one of the teams with a host of attacking options that can get the better of this disrupted Burnley backline in north London.
The Clarets might not have the firepower in the final third to get on the scoresheet and Spurs to win to nil forms the final part of this four-fold.
Leg 4: Tottenham to beat Burnley & Both teams to score (No) @ 6/5
