Fixture difficulty: Which clubs have the toughest – and easiest – start to the new season?
The ‘big five’ European leagues have released their schedules for the 2021-22 season so we have analysed the fixture difficulty for them all. While every team has to play everyone else at some point, timing can be everything. A tough start can easily undermine a positive pre-season, while a gentle run of opening fixtures can provide the momentum necessary for a successful campaign.
Ballon d’Or odds: Messi could be in seventh heaven
Lionel Messi will look to extend his record of six Ballon d’Or titles when the annual football award returns. The 2020 award ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic but with football’s return to action, the 2021 edition will see the voting commence.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news: PSG swap deal mooted
We’re tracking the latest Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news and rumours to see whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could move this summer. Despite turning 36 in February, Ronaldo was the leading scorer in Italy’s top flight last season when bagging 29 Serie A goals for Juventus.
Euro stars: Who will sign them this summer?
With Euro 2020 now over, attention is shifting to the upcoming domestic football season but the competition’s impact may be felt here as well. Until the first ball of a new campaign is kicked, the attention of fans tends to be fixated on the transfer market, where the Euro 2020 stars will have drawn the attention of the game’s big spenders.
Tottenham vs Man City: Champions to end hoodoo
Manchester City start their Premier League title defence at a ground that has not treated them well so far. Pep Guardiola’s side have lost on all three visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without even scoring a goal.
Newcastle vs West Ham: Magpies to repeat opening win
Newcastle and West Ham go head to head on the first weekend of the season for the second year running. The Magpies came out on top at the London Stadium last September, but the Hammers regrouped superbly and enjoyed a fine campaign that ended with Europa League qualification.
Wolves vs Leicester: Foxes to silence Wolves again
Wolves begin a new era in the Premier League with Bruno Lage at the helm after Nuno Espirito Santo left the club by mutual consent at the end of last season. Lage, a former assistant manager at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea before having success as Benfica head coach, will start his tenure with a trip to the King Power Stadium against Leicester.
Everton vs Southampton: Benitez can win over critics
Everton begin a new era at Goodison Park as Rafael Benitez takes charge of his first match at the Toffees against Southampton on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign. The former Liverpool boss has been tasked with replacing Carlo Ancelotti, who returned to Real Madrid, as Everton target European football after just missing out last season.
Watford vs Aston Villa: Villa to repeat dream start
Watford begin life back in the Premier League at Vicarage Road and will be aiming to start with a win in front of their own fans against Aston Villa. Their supporters were absent last season as the Hornets achieved promotion back to the top flight last season and Watford head into the new campaign as one of the favourites in the Premier League relegation odds.
Norwich vs Liverpool: Reds to have tougher test
Norwich begin a Premier League season against Liverpool for the second time in three years hoping for a better outcome. The Canaries, who lifted the Championship title once again, travelled to Anfield on the opening day in 2019/20 and went down 4-1 having trailed 4-0 at half-time.
Lionel Messi transfer news: Where next if Barca talks collapse?
We’re tracking the latest Lionel Messi transfer news, rumours and odds for clues on where the Ballon d’Or winner could play this season. Messi is now a free agent after his contract at Barcelona expired and the club’s financial problems mean it is far from certain that they can find room within their salary cap to agree a new deal.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Blues to start in style
Patrick Vieira is back in the Premier League but could not have asked for a much tougher start as Crystal Palace manager. An opening-day trip to the European champions at least gives the Frenchman a relatively free hit, with the odds suggesting an easy win for Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Harry Kane transfer news: Manchester clubs favourites to swoop
With Euro 2020 now over, attention will switch to the new domestic season and we’re tracking the latest Harry Kane transfer news to see which teams could make a move. The England captain enjoyed another impressive tournament as his four goals helped the team go agonisingly close to winning the Euros, with Kane threatening to repeat his Golden Boot success at the 2018 World Cup.
Brentford vs Arsenal: Gunners to pass tricky opening test
Brentford start life in the Premier League by hosting London rivals Arsenal in the opening match of the new season. The Bees secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s history by winning the Championship play-off final against Swansea.