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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Liverpool vs Bournemouth prediction, best bets & betting tips
Liverpool vs Bournemouth tips: Champions Liverpool kick off their Premier League season on Friday night, when they face Bournemouth at Anfield. The Reds' season got underway last weekend when they were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace, in the Community Shield, at Wembley, but they showed, in patches, the kind of form that will stand them in good stead again this season. Arne Slot's side finished 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal in May as they secured their 20th league title. They have spent big this summer bringing in five new players and spending well over £200m, but they have received more than £180m in the sale of seven players. Their spending doesn't appear to be done yet, with a striker and central defender still looking likely before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. With Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both being sold and the tragic death of Diogo Jota, the Reds still seem light in attack, particularly through the middle, so it's no surprise that the speculation around bringing in Alexander Isak continues. When it comes to the Premier League winner odds it's not a surprise that Liverpool are the favourites for the title at 19/10, ahead of Arsenal at 13/5 and Manchester City at 7/2. Friday's opponents. Bournemouth, are 750/1 and they will face a difficult task to improve on their ninth-placed finish last season, although you can find a price of Premier League top four odds. Liverpool vs Bournemouth betting: Reds to get off to a winning start That impressive season, which saw them win 15 of their 38 games and keep nine clean sheets, resulted in bids for three defenders that they just couldn't turn down. Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for £50m while Milos Kerkez moved to Liverpool for £40m, back in June, and Illia Zabarnyi has this week joined Paris St Germain for £57m, so it will be interesting to see how they adapt after losing such quality. This is not the type of game they would hope for to kick off the season, especially as they have lost 11 of their last 12 league matches against Liverpool. Their only win came in 2023 when Philip Billing scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. Liverpool have kept clean sheets in their last three meetings, but they will need to defend better than they did last weekend, when captain Virgil Van Dijk was to blame for both of Palace's goals in the 2-2 draw. The Reds haven't lost their opening match of the season in their last 12 campaigns, winning nine and drawing three since they were beaten 3-0 by West Brom back at the start of the 2012-13 season. We can't see them slipping up this season either, and it's more a case of how many they will win by. Bizarrely, the Cherries' last opening day defeat also came against the Baggies, when they were beaten 1-0 at the Hawthorns at the start of the 2017/18 campaign. Since then, they have won three and drawn four of their last seven season openers. Football betting sites have installed the Reds as odds-on favourites for the opener, with the Cherries a high-price for the upset in the latest Premier League odds. Liverpool vs Bournemouth tips: Ekitike to make it two from two Hugo Ekitike had a debut to remember at Wembley on Sunday as he opened the scoring after just four minutes when he combined with fellow debutant Florian Wirtz to fire past Dean Henderson. He should have added to his tally in the second half, but he headed wide from six yards out before firing over from 12 yards. Ekitike is an outside shot in the Premier League top scorer odds, especially considering his strong start to life in a Liverpool shirt. The French striker joined the club from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m and scored 22 goals last season in the Bundesliga, including two against Bochum and Hoffenheim, as his side finished third in the league. Betting sites are offering 17/4 on him scoring first or last and 11/10 on him scoring at any time. As we saw on Sunday, he likes a quick start, and he could take advantage of the new look Bournemouth defence. Liverpool vs Bournemouth prediction 2: Hugo Ekitike to score first - 17/4 BetVictor Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Transfer news live: Liverpool agree fee for defender, Man Utd target Baleba, Isak's Newcastle future
Just a few days to go until the start of the new Premier League season and club's are looking to finalise any deals for new signings ahead of their campaigns beginning. Manchester United have brought in a new forward line of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and have their sights set on more incomings. Gianluigi Donnarumma was left out of PSG's Super Cup squad against Tottenham and will leave the club this summer while Ruben Amorim is pushing the hierarchy to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Liverpool, meanwhile, have agreed a fee with teenage defender Giovanni Leoni as they hope to bolster their defence. The club are also in talks with Crystal Palace over Marc Guehi and are pursuing Newcastle's Alexander Isak. The Magpies do not wish to sell, but the Reds may be encouraged by Isak's insistence that his Newcastle career is over, with it reported that he will not wish to reintegrate with the side, even if he stays beyond the deadline. Elsewhere, Spurs are also preparing to boost their own forward line and want to sign Palace 's Eberechi Eze. The Eagles want a fee in excess of £60m and an official offer could soon go in though Palace's Community Shield win over Liverpool may now make a deal harder to negotiate. Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent reveals his preferred destination 'Premier League is the right step for Gigio in my view, we're working on it,' said Enzo Raiola. 'There are zero talks with Italian clubs. We are still shocked by PSG behaviour with Gigio.' Manchester City are keen on the keeper, according to Fabrizio Romano. Mike Jones14 August 2025 08:03 Liverpool agree fee for new centre-back Liverpool have agreed a £26m fee with Parma for Italian defender Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old centre-back is set to become their sixth major summer signing and take their spending in this window past £300m. Leoni will begin a medical on Merseyside on Thursday and will discuss personal terms, which are not expected to be a problem after he made it clear his preference was to join Liverpool. Liverpool agree fee for new centre-back The Premier League champions have negotiated a £26m fee for teenage Giovanni Leoni Richard Jolly14 August 2025 08:01 Good morning! Welcome to The Independent's coverage of the latest transfer news and updates. We'll have all the latest gossip, rumours and done deals throughout the day so let's go into it... Mike Jones14 August 2025 08:00 Real Madrid set to present new signing today Real Madrid will unveil new signing Franco Mastantuono at midday today. Prior to his presentation, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez will welcome Mastantuono for the protocol signing event, as he puts pen to paper on a six-year deal following his arrival from River Plate. Will Castle14 August 2025 07:00 Gianluigi Donnarumma to the Premier League? Gianluigi Donnarumma's agent has confirmed that his preferred destination is the Premier League after being exiled from PSG. Fabrizio Romano reports Manchester City are keen on the Italian, who has not spoken to clubs from his homeland. Will Castle14 August 2025 06:00 Tottenham ready to beat Arsenal and sign Eberechi Eze after opportunity emerges Tottenham Hotspur are aiming to seize a window of opportunity to beat Arsenal to the signing of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, by putting together an acceptable package for Crystal Palace this week. As reported in the Independent's 'Inside Football' newsletter on Friday, Spurs have ramped up interest in the 27-year-old after the injury to James Maddison, amid a widespread belief that the saga might finally come to a head by the start of the Premier League season. That would coincide with the expiration of Eze's release clause for this window. Arsenal have long been interested in Eze, and are viewed as the Crystal Palace player's first preference, but the fact that no proper transfer bid has yet materialised means there is a chance for Spurs to move forward. Tottenham ready to beat Arsenal and sign Eberechi Eze after opportunity emerges The Palace hero, who struck the winner for the Eagles in the FA Cup final against Man City, has been strongly linked with Arsenal, but Spurs sense a chance to beat their rivals and land a major signing Miguel Delaney14 August 2025 05:00 The damage Newcastle's disastrous summer could do to their wider project It was as early as the first days of June that Eddie Howe and his staff feared this summer was going to be 'a big problem' for Newcastle United. The reason then was not yet failed purchases, the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell or even Alexander Isak. Or at least, just Isak. Newcastle had already known about the Swede's ambitions to leave for months. Now, the same fears were growing about Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon, with the added concern that any unrest could lead to more agitation in the dressing room. The mood was so foreboding that Howe's staff even asked others in football about potential solutions. It was a huge shift from the satisfaction felt mere weeks before, and the end of a season that was the club's best in decades. The Carabao Cup closed that long wait for a trophy, bringing a sense of release around the club. The final-day qualification for a second Champions League campaign in three seasons then seemed to take that further; to embolden everyone, and afford the club the financial assurance to really press on. There was no longer a PSR need to sell stars like Isak. The damage Newcastle's disastrous summer could do to their wider project Newcastle have become a laughing stock over how comically haphazard their summer transfer business has been Miguel Delaney14 August 2025 03:00 After Manchester United hit rock bottom, are the good times finally coming? If nothing else, Ruben Amorim does not try to sugarcoat things. The manager who had said he had perhaps the worst team in Manchester United 's history stood in the middle of the Old Trafford pitch and said: 'Today, after this disaster season.' The disaster season: piercing as some of the criticisms of a campaign where United had fared worse than had seemed possible, few were as pithy as Amorim's description. The rest of his message marked a real shift in tone. 'I want to tell you the good days are coming,' he added. That was May. In Amorim's own timescale, therefore, the good days are arriving, beginning now. There is a sense they have to: not merely for Amorim, who was probably guilty of smiling exaggeration when he said on the pre-season tour of the United States that he wanted to stay for 20 years but is actually in the last two of his contract, but for the club. Comparisons with the past are neither invariably accurate nor helpful, but the immediate precedent is of Erik ten Hag, retained after a disappointing season with the prospect the next could be better and sacked in October after some £200m of summer spending. Now Sir Jim Ratcliffe has disposed of some 450 members of staff but not Amorim. Furnished with new attackers, in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, his summer outlay is up to around £200m. After hitting rock bottom, are the good times finally coming for Manchester United? A disastrous season left Ruben Amorim under pressure after just months in the job - but a productive summer gives hope of brighter times ahead Richard Jolly14 August 2025 02:00 Premier League 2025/26 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more The Premier League is back and just 33 days after Chelsea appeared to bring the curtain down on the 2024/25 season with their thumping win in the Club World Cup final, champions Liverpool kick off their title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield. The transfer window continues to rumble on with plenty of deals yet to materialise, which could shift the trajectory of many teams, notably Arne Slot's side and Newcastle, with Alexander Isak's future still in doubt. Arsenal appear closer than ever after near misses in recent years, with Viktor Gyokeres brought in to spearhead Mikel Arteta's title charge, while Pep Guardiola has rebuilt Man City quickly and Chelsea will hope to ride the momentum of their victory over PSG last month. Manchester United 's lavish outlay has enabled them to revamp swiftly, Tottenham begin a new era under Thomas Frank, while newcomers Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland hope to avoid a quick return to the ever chaotic Championship. Here, the Independent's sports staff preview the new campaign and make their picks for the 2025/26 Premier League season: Who will win the Premier League? Best signing and more predictions Liverpool kick off the new campaign at home to Bournemouth, while newcomers Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland hope to avoid relegation this term Will Castle14 August 2025 01:00 Jack Grealish aims to emulate Wayne Rooney after completing move to Everton Jack Grealish has joined Everton on loan and revealed that he consulted Wayne Rooney about his move to Merseyside as he looks to follow in the footsteps of two of his idols. When asked why he chose to wear the No. 18 shirt, Grealish said: "There is a reason. There were other numbers but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne and I know they both wore No. 18 here. "So, as soon as I knew this deal was close, I had a look and number 18 was free, so that was perfect for me and it was the only number I was going to take from that point. I spoke to Wayne before I came here and I mentioned that to him – about the No 18 – so I hope he's happy as well." Richard Jolly14 August 2025 00:00
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
How will your club fare? Phil McNulty's Premier League predictions
Here we go 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 all the usual suspects to be at the top. Beyond that, this was arguably the toughest set of predictions to make since this exercise began. 1) Liverpool Last season: ChampionsIt's hard to see past Liverpool as this season's Premier League 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 confidenceWhat 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 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 Palace captain Marc Guehi is the latest target, and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak may yet arrive - a frightening prospect for anyone wanting to take Liverpool's title away. 2) Arsenal Last season: SecondThis 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 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 time Arsenal and Arteta have no excuses. They must win a trophy this season - and there should be optimism at Emirates Stadium that they can do so. 3) Manchester City Last season: ThirdIt'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 Haaland remains a magnificent spearhead while Omar Marmoush looked a high-class attacking reinforcement last 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 this will hopefully be the season when Phil Foden returns to his best - a game-changer.I fully expect City to win a trophy and challenge for the title - but do not think they will reclaim their old crown. 4) Chelsea Last season: FourthIt'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 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 the progress of 18-year-old Brazilian wonder boy Estevao Willian will be followed will be right in the hunt for trophies domestically and will relish their return to the Champions League. They usually find a way to win silverware and I expect them to so again, but not the Premier League. 5) Aston Villa Last season: SixthThey 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 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 loan spells of Marcus Rashford and Marcus Asensio have ended - though the latter may return - and it will be interesting to see how Emery utilises Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand - the new £30m forward signed from Nice. 6) Newcastle United Last season: FifthIt'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 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 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 have a fine side when everyone is 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 signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest at least ended the hunt for a right-sided attacker, while Brentford's Yoane Wissa, unlike so many others, seems keen on a move to Tyneside. 7) Manchester United Last season: 15thThis 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 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 surely cannot be as bad again. Can they?One rider, though - if they do not improve and United look as lost and hopeless as they did under Amorim at stages last season, he will swiftly be under a very unforgiving microscope. 8) Tottenham Hotspur Last season: 17thA 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 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 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 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 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 will not stop there, either, with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze in their sights, along with Manchester City winger Savinho. 9) Crystal Palace Last season: 12th Palace's fortunes, and consequently their league placing, will inevitably be shaped by the fortunes of two of their most influential that means whether they keep hold of prized assets Marc Guehi - their captain - and FA Cup final match-winner Eberechi is serious doubt surrounding Guehi's future - with Liverpool trying to close a deal - while Eze has attracted interest from both Arsenal and 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 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.I can still see Palace having a very good season - despite the anger around their fall-out with Uefa over their exclusion from the Europa League - but they will have an even better one if they keep at least one of Guehi and Eze, as well as making a dent in the market themselves. 10) Nottingham Forest Last season: SeventhIt 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 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 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 more new arrivals - Manchester City's James McAtee has been heavily linked - as Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo try to ensure Forest continue to move forward. 11) Brighton Last season: EighthThis 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 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 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 are always pleasing on the eye and will not take a backwards step under Hurzeler. Another decent season awaits. 12) Everton Last season: 13thEverton 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 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 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 Under-21 striker Thierno Barry is a work in progress and may not start, so much now depends on the final two weeks of the transfer window, with right-back still a weakness, and central midfield needing to be bolstered. 13) West Ham Last season: 14thIt 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 looks sensible, with more to Walker-Peters and El-Hadji Malick Diouf - from Southampton and Slavia Prague respectively - have strengthened 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 of course, West Ham still have the outstanding Jarrod incomings may push the prediction higher but I'm not really expecting fireworks in east London this season. 14) Fulham Last season: 11thIt'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 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 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 is, of course, plenty of time for Fulham to strike in the transfer market, with suggestions of a deal being discussed for Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian winger Kevin. 15) Bournemouth Last season: NinthWhat 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 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 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 not expect Bournemouth to live in fear of the drop but it would be another sign of Iraola's quality if he can once more direct them into the Premier League's top half. 16) Brentford Last season: 10thFor 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 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 also believes 20-year-old Antoni Milambo can have influence in midfield after being brought in from Feyenoord. 17) Leeds United Last season: Championship winnersSomeone 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 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 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 he can stay fit, Leeds will have a very valuable 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 will be tough - but Elland Road may just sway it. 18) Wolves Last season: 16thThis 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 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 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 could still pull this pessimistic prediction around, but it will be need a busy few weeks in the transfer market. 19) Sunderland 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 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 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 arrivals include former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku, Enzo le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi, Robin Roefs and Marc quite an effort but integrating so many new signings may actually prove a problem. 20) Burnley Last season: Second in ChampionshipBurnley, 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 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 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 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 is a bold strategy but will it be enough to keep Burnley up? I have my doubts.
