Dundee Utd v Hearts: Pick of the stats
Hearts are unbeaten in five Premiership away games at Dundee United (won three, drawn two) since a 2-1 defeat in February 2016.
Hearts could win back-to-back top-flight visits to Tannadice for the first time since December 2002.
Dundee United have won their opening home game of a Premiership season in just one of their past five top-flight campaigns (drawn two, lost two), beating Rangers 1-0 in 2021-22.
After their 2-0 victory over Aberdeen, Hearts are looking to start a league season with wins in both of their opening two matches for the first time since 2021-22. Indeed, Derek McInnes could become the first manager to win both of his first two top-flight games in charge of the club since Robbie Neilson in August 2015.
In their 2-2 draw with Falkirk on matchday one, Max Watters and Ivan Dolcek both scored on their Scottish Premiership debut – no player on record (since 2005-06) has found the net on both of their first two appearances in the competition for Dundee United.
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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Our writers' predictions for the 2025/26 season
It's that time of year again when our team of writers make their predictions for the upcoming campaign, a lit of viewpoints that more often than not look foolish in just a few month's time. Without further ado, here's our best attempt at looking into the Premier League's crystal ball. Our writers' predictions for the 2025/26 season Player of the Season Harry Diamond: Cole Palmer – This award usually goes to a title winner and (spoiler) I'm not backing Chelsea for the crown. But Palmer is a player that seems to be universally appreciated and provides enough highlight-reel moments to take the award. As the poster boy of a Chelsea team on the up, he could be the league's leading light. Ste McGovern: Bukayo Saka – The Arsenal star may not put up huge numbers in terms of goals and assists, but he is a sensational player and I expect him to raise his level again this year as the Gunners make that title push. Ayoob Rahman: Declan Rice – Now entering his third season at Arsenal, Declan Rice has become the heart of the team. After finishing as a runner-up again last year, expect him to be the league's standout player as he drives Arsenal's push to finally win the title. Mohon Chanda: Cole Palmer – Undoubtedly the best player in the current Chelsea squad and expecting an overall good show from him to carry Chelsea into the top four. Best transfer signing Harry: The obvious answer is Florian Wirtz, but at a British record fee perhaps that's expected. In terms of pound-for-pound value, I really like Evann Guessand to Aston Villa. The Ivorian will be a fun watch. Ste: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool's £100m man is a mesmerising playmaker and will light the Premier League up. Ayoob: Florian Wirtz – Following their stunning Premier League victory, Liverpool has strengthened its squad with the German international. Wirtz is poised to become the new creative engine for the defending champions, adding another layer of attack as Arne Slot aims to retain the title. Mohon: Florian Wirtz – Will become the heart of the Liverpool midfield and provide magical moments that a team sometimes need. Biggest transfer flop Harry: For all his potential, Burnley pinning their survival hopes – and £20m – on a player of Armando Broja's injury record screams disaster. Ste: Benjamin Sesko – The poor lad doesn't even realise that every big money Manchester United signing is doomed to failure. Ayoob: Benjamin Šeško – Manchester United's big summer signing comes with high expectations, but he may find the Premier League challenging. Adjusting to a new system and the intense pressure at United could see the prolific striker struggle to find his form. Mohon: Matheus Cunha – I'm still not so optimistic about Manchester United and if the team doesn't do well, a single player won't make much of a difference. Golden Boot winner Harry: Even in a 'disappointing' 2024/25 season, Erling Haaland still hit 34 goals in all competitions. He'll take some stopping. Ste: Erling Haaland – With Mo Salah headed to AFCON in the winter, the Man City striker's only competition is his own fitness. Ayoob: Erling Haaland – Erling Haaland remains the most reliable goalscorer in the league. He is the safest bet to win the Golden Boot once again. Mohon: Erling Haaland – He'll win the Golden Boot by scoring at least 30 again this season. Surprise package Harry: Everton – David Moyes is a wily old coach and has added an exciting cast of creatives to a team that has had one of the division's best defences in recent seasons. Depth is needed, but with nine Premier League teams in Europe this season, the Toffees can take some scalps with a reduced fixture list. Ste: Everton – The Toffees still need to fill out their squad a bit more, but I like their business so far and David Moyes can guide them to a potential top-half finish. Ayoob: Sunderland – Following their promotion last season, Sunderland aren't just here to survive. Ambitious signings like veteran leader Granit Xhaka show they mean business. Expect them to cause a few upsets and comfortably secure a mid-table finish. Mohon: Tottenham Hotspur – Might not be a surprise but I'm expecting them to improve and finish in the top six. Biggest fall from grace Harry: Brentford – Losing your long-serving head coach, captain, leading goalscorer and perhaps another 19-goal forward in the same summer is tough, particularly when you've appointed a new manager with no senior experience. Ste: Nottingham Forest – Their form fell off a cliff in the final few months of last season and they won't reach anything like the heights they did this time around. Brentford will be closer to the relegation zone than the top half, too. Ayoob: Aston Villa – After another strong season, Aston Villa now face the difficult task of balancing league football with the Europa League. The demands of playing on Thursdays and Sundays, combined with losing key players, could stretch their squad and lead to a slide down the table. Mohon: Brentford – They were brilliant last year but most of their players won't be able to redo what was done last year. One to watch Harry: Elliot Anderson – The Nottingham Forest midfielder will be in the England squad before the end of 2025. Ste: Estevao Willian – The young winger was sensational in his native Brazil, and impressed at the Club World Cup. Chelsea have a future star on their hands Ayoob: Viktor Gyökeres – All eyes will be on Arsenal's major summer signing, Viktor Gyökeres. Taking the iconic number 14 shirt, he is expected to provide the clinical finishing and power up front that the team has been missing. Mohon: Newcastle – I'm intrigued by the team and where's next should Alexander Isak leave. Champions Harry: Liverpool – It will be closer, but Liverpool look the strongest of the competing sides. Ste: Arsenal – If they don't do it this year, they are never going to do it. Ayoob: Arsenal – After three consecutive seasons as runners-up to Manchester City and Liverpool, this finally looks to be their year. The arrival of a proven goalscorer in Gyökeres gives them the firepower needed to overcome the champions and win the title. Mohon: Liverpool – I believe they will continue their form and beat Manchester City to win the title again. Top Four Harry: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea Ste: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea. Ayoob: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City. Mohon: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea. Bottom Three Harry: Sunderland, Brentford, Burnley Ste: Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley. Ayoob: Burnley, West Ham United, Brentford. Mohon: Burnley, Leeds, Wolves. First manager sacked Harry: Scott Parker – The gap between the top two divisions is huge and Burnley will find that out. Ste: Scott Parker – I can't see Burnley being anything other than the worst team in the Premier League and they will hit the eject button before long. Ayoob: Graham Potter - He starts the season under immediate pressure to perform. If his team doesn't get positive results early on, he could be the first manager to be dismissed. Mohon: Vitor Pereira. Champions League winner Harry: PSG were so good last season and have a team that's likely to improve as a collective. Their nearest challengers? I think Arsenal have a better shot in Europe than in the Premier League. A brilliant defence, set-piece threat and, now, with the addition of Gyokeres a goalscorer. Ste: PSG – Anything can happen in knockout football, but it feels like their dynastic dominance in Europe has just begun. Ayoob: Bayern Munich - Their squad is packed with top-tier talent and European experience. They have all the tools necessary to go all the way in the Champions League this season. Mohon: Barcelona. Read – See more – Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: | | | |
New York Times
38 minutes ago
- New York Times
Nuno: Nottinhgam Forest signings' lack of ‘adaption' time is problem after ‘very, very bad' pre-season
Nuno Espirito Santo says Nottingham Forest will have to 'adapt everything' as they seek to integrate new additions into the squad once the Premier League season has begun. Forest are close to securing around £100million ($136m) worth of new additions, in the form of Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo and Omari Hutchinson, the Ipswich attacking midfielder. They are also working to sign another Manchester City player, in the form of full-back/defensive midfielder Rico Lewis. They also hold an interest in Douglas Luiz, the Juventus midfielder, and Yunus Musah of Milan. Head coach Nuno is happy to see Forest make such ambitious additions, but is concerned about the challenges of integrating new players, amid the intense demands of the new campaign — particularly one that will include the welcome challenge of Europa League football. And his comments come after an interview with Sky earlier this week in which he said that he is 'very worried' about the state of his playing squad. Advertisement Forest also hope to add a goalkeeper and potentially a further full-back. And, with the first game of the campaign approaching on Sunday, when Brentford visit the City Ground. Forest play their first game back in Europe in three decades in late September. 'You have to adapt everything, in terms of the methodology of the training session,' said Nuno, when asked if the dynamic would change when those new faces arrive. 'We have to integrate the players. How do you do that? By helping the players to create a connection. 'The game is very simple. When you have a full-back and a winger (down one side of the pitch), they are working together. In football, you can spend all the money in the world and sign the best players in the world, put them in the side at the same time and see if they can play. No. 'But our spirit is not that. It is, 'How can I help you? How can I make you better? How can I help you to achieve what you want to achieve?' How do you do that on the training ground when you have a week of competition and you have to recover? The player who played on a Saturday, on a Monday or Tuesday, he cannot work to (build that understanding) with the players who have joined. 'We will start working with real intensity on a Thursday… but on a Thursday, you are preparing for a game again. We have to adapt. How do we adapt? We need the help of the under-23 players. You have to almost play friendly games during the week, to help these players to compete. The training sessions have to replicate the intensity of a game.' Nuno has no issue with the quality of the players Forest are bringing in — they have already broken their club record transfer fee to sign Dan Ndoye from Bologna in a £35million deal, as well as Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafoga. And they would shatter that record again with the addition of Hutchinson, who is expected to cost £37.5million. Advertisement But it is the timing of the business that concerns Nuno — who always stated that the training camp in Murcia a year ago and the opportunity for most of his squad to get to know each other — was a huge factor, as they subsequently challenged for Champions League football. 'Of course,' said Nuno, when asked if his players share similar concerns. 'They are very smart and they know how we operated last season and the way we established ourselves with the dynamic of the work. This season is different and then doubts and questions come in. As human beings we can sort problems, but we can't solve doubts. 'The owner is aware, the club is aware, everyone is aware. Everybody knows the reality. This is a lost chance that we had as a group to do it. Our pre-season was very, very bad. We didn't win one game and scored one goal. 'The players are not supermen, we are going to need to rotate them. That's a major problem with the intensity and demands of the games.' Forest's recruitment team has changed this summer, with the arrival of Edu as global head of football. The former midfielder built a positive reputation with his work in similar roles at Arsenal, between 2019 and 2024. Forest's new recruitment structure is on the verge of delivering some serious additions to the squad. But Nuno says Forest are in a position where they will have to work hard to ensure the squad retains the same bond as they had, as Forest secured a seventh-place finish, while also reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup. 'Yes, I cannot hide this from you,' said Nuno, when asked if momentum had been lost. 'There are many things we had last season, momentum, the bond, we have to regain it, work harder to try and promote it sooner.' Nuno says he trusts his players, with the core of last season's starting XI — barring Anthony Elanga, who moved to Newcastle in a £52million move — still in place. 'I trust these players. Let's not take away what they've been doing,' he said. (Photo by) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
News24
38 minutes ago
- News24
Premier League: Liverpool v Bournemouth
Captain and defender Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool in the English PremierKick-off is at 21:00 Go to top
