New Delhi: The Premier League 2025-26 season is off to a cracking start with defending champions Liverpool and contenders Manchester City picking up impressive wins in their respective openers. However, the enthralling matchweek 1 is far from over. Last season’s runners-up Arsenal will take on Manchester United in a blockbuster clash on Sunday.
There are four exciting fixtures lined up in what promises to be an exciting Sunday in the new Premier League season. Chelsea will open their campaign against FA Cup and Community Shield winners Crystal Palace, while Brentford will lock horns with Nottingham Forest in their first match of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will then take on Manchester United in what will be the first major test for his team this season. Matchweek 1 will conclude with another exciting clash between newly-promoted Leeds United and Everton. The marquee clash between United and Arsenal is arguably the most-talked-about contest on Sunday.
Manchester United vs Arsenal: Preview and predicted line-ups
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will open their campaign against a revitalised Manchester United at the Old Trafford on Sunday. Having finished 2nd in the last three seasons, Arsenal will be hoping to go all the way this time around, having significantly strengthened their squad with the acquisitions of striker Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.
Gyokeres is expected to start against United, having scored in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in their final match of the pre-season. United are also expected to field their new striker Benjamin Sesko in the highly anticipated encounter after manager Ruben Amorim confirmed the player is fit to start.
United finished a disappointing 15th in the Premier League last season, but there is optimism surrounding the club’s fortunes this season after they revamped their attack with a new-look front 3. United have signed Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. However, the trio might need time to gel together. Cunha and Mbeumo are likely to start, while Sesko might come off the bench if required in the opener.
Predicted line-ups:
Manchester United – Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Arsenal – Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Preview and predicted line-ups
Chelsea will take on Crystal Palace in their opening game of the Premier League this season. Chelsea will be heading into the season on a confident note after clinching Club World Cup glory. Fresh from their FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace will also look to start the season on a high. With the futures of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi in doubt amid transfer interest for the duo, Palace will hope to put the speculations behind them and dish out a solid display against Chelsea.
Predicted line-ups:
Chelsea – Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Crystal Palace – Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford: Preview and predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest enjoyed an eventful campaign in the Premier League last season as they secured their long-awaited return to Europe after finishing seventh. However, Forest would rue missing out on Champions League football closely. They have managed to retain most of their key players and will look to get off to a winning start against Brentford, who also finished in the top 10 last season, but have had to let go of a couple of their key players.
Predicted line-ups:
Nottingham Forest – Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro
Crystal Palace – Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Leeds United vs Everton: Preview and predicted line-ups
Newly-promoted Leeds United will take on Everton at Elland Road on Monday. Leeds played out a 1-1 draw against Villarreal in their final game of the pre-season, while Everton lost 0-1 to Roma in their last outing in the pre-season. Having signed Jack Grealish from Manchester City, Everton will be hoping for a big season from the English midfielder despite his struggles last season.
Predicted line-ups:
Leeds United – Jayden Bogle, Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Brenden Aaronson, Joël Piroe, Manor Solomon, Willy Gnonto
Everton – Vitaliy Mykolenko, Michael Keane, Carlos Alcaraz, Gana Gueye, Jordan Pickford, Ashley Young, Jake O Brien, James Garner, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Harrison, Beto