Posts of the Week

Liverpool’s season has started with late fireworks but shaky defending. They’ve already racked up two dramatic league wins: 4–2 vs Bournemouth, where Salah and Federico Chiesa struck late, and 3–2 vs Newcastle, where 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scored a stoppage-time debut winner.

Add the 2–2 Community Shield draw vs Crystal Palace, and you have a side that scores late but can’t seem to keep a clean sheet, six goals conceded in three games.

Arsenal, by contrast, have looked crisp and ruthless. Two league games, two wins, two clean sheets, capped by a 5–0 dismantling of Leeds United. They’ve picked up where they left off, especially from set pieces, though knocks to Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Martin Ødegaard (shoulder) could cast a shadow over their trip to Anfield.

Strengths & Weaknesses​

Liverpool​

Depth up front & late-game punch – Salah, Chiesa, and even teenager Ngumoha have already decided matches. Hugo Ekitike adds another option.
Mentality monsters – Twice pegged back, twice found a way to win.
Defensive frailty – At least two goals conceded in each of their last three competitive matches. Weakness at defending corners and wide free-kicks is still glaring.

Arsenal​

Set-piece supremacy – Nicolas Jover’s routines keep delivering; Timber’s opener vs Leeds came from a corner. Against Liverpool’s shaky set-piece defending, this is huge.
Defensive solidity – Raya + Saliba-led backline hasn’t been breached yet this season.
Injury concerns – Saka and Ødegaard’s fitness is the biggest cloud over Arteta’s planning.

Tactical Snapshot​

• Liverpool’s route to goal: fast transitions to isolate Arsenal’s full-backs, plus late substitutes (Chiesa, Ngumoha) to stretch a tiring defence.
• Arsenal’s route to goal: set-pieces, wide free-kicks, and corner deliveries into the “six-yard corridor” where Liverpool have struggled for first contact. If Saka sits out, Eze’s dead-ball delivery becomes central.

Prediction​

Expect drama late on, both clubs already have a knack for swinging games after the 75th minute. At Anfield, that final quarter could define the early title race.

• Main call: Liverpool 2–2 Arsenal. Firepower vs structure, late drama inevitable.
• If Saka & Ødegaard both miss out: Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal.
• If Liverpool tighten set-piece defending: 1–1 draw more likely than a shootout.

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A narrow win to Liverpool is expected here.

This is going to be a very exciting clash amongst the two teams considering they had a good startwinning their first 2 games. liverpool and Arsenal gonna be a high scoring stalemate

Fresh from a humiliating midweek exit in the EFL Cup, Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon to face newly promoted Burnley in their latest Premier League test. The game marks the first meeting between the two sides since April 2024, when Burnley held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw in Manchester.

United’s defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in the cup has added fuel to the growing concerns surrounding Ruben Amorim’s tenure. The Red Devils were stunned at Blundell Park, falling two goals behind inside the first half-hour. Though Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire managed to drag the game to penalties, Mbeumo’s miss in a marathon 12-11 shootout sealed a shocking exit for Amorim’s men.

That loss extended United’s poor run, as they remain winless in their first three matches of the season after defeats to Arsenal and a draw with Fulham. It has left Amorim under immense pressure, with his win percentage at just 35.5%—the lowest of any permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite the club spending nearly £200 million on new attacking options this summer, the Portuguese coach has admitted that “something has to change,” though whether he is referring to tactics, mentality, or himself remains a matter of debate.

There is at least some comfort for United in their strong record against newly promoted teams, with the Red Devils unbeaten in their last 23 league games in such fixtures since a 4-1 loss at Watford in 2021, which ended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign. However, Old Trafford has not been a fortress lately, with United losing eight of their last 13 league matches at home and conceding 21 goals in the process.

Burnley, meanwhile, arrive in Manchester with growing confidence. After a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in their opening Premier League fixture, Scott Parker’s side bounced back with a 2-0 win over Sunderland and followed that up with a dramatic 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Derby County, secured by Oliver Sonne’s stoppage-time strike.

Parker praised his side’s resilience and was particularly pleased with how the cup game gave valuable minutes to new signings and players returning from injury.

The Clarets’ primary goal this season is survival, having bounced between relegation and promotion over the past four years. Ending August with back-to-back Premier League victories would mark a significant step in their fight to stay up. While they enter this clash as underdogs, Burnley have a surprisingly decent record at Old Trafford, avoiding defeat in more than half of their nine Premier League visits—a feat matched only by Chelsea and Manchester City.

INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Lisandro Martinez remains unavailable for Manchester United as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee problem, while Noussair Mazraoui is edging closer to full fitness after a thigh injury, though Saturday’s clash is expected to come too soon for him.

Ruben Amorim made wholesale changes in midweek, and another reshuffle is on the cards. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who came under heavy criticism after the shock defeat to Grimsby, may drop out for Altay Bayindir, though the Turkish stopper has also endured an uncertain start to life at Old Trafford. In defence, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw are all pushing for recalls.

Captain Bruno Fernandes should take his usual place in midfield, likely alongside either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte. Fernandes has a strong record against newly-promoted sides, directly contributing to 10 goals in his last eight league appearances against them.

Up front, Benjamin Sesko could lead the line again after earning his first start in midweek, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha expected to flank him in attack. Both new recruits have been brought in to add sharpness and creativity to a side that has struggled for consistency.

Burnley, meanwhile, are still without long-term absentees Zeki Amdouni, Manuel Benson and Jordan Beyer, while Connor Roberts is nearing a return but is unlikely to be risked this weekend. Summer signings Armando Broja, Axel Tuanzebe and Bashir Humphreys all featured in the EFL Cup win during the week, and Scott Parker could include them again in the matchday squad.

The Clarets are expected to return to a more familiar starting XI, similar to the one that beat Sunderland, with experienced names such as Martin Dubravka, Hannibal Mejbri and Kyle Walker in contention. Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony, who both found the net last weekend, will also be pushing hard for a place in the side as Burnley aim to frustrate United at Old Trafford once more.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Ekdal, Hartman; Mejbri, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Anthony; Foster

EXPERT PREDICTION

The stage is set for another fiery Spanish title race. The giants have reloaded, the challengers are circling, and the drama has already begun. Buckle up, because this season could be explosive.

Barcelona enter as the defending champions, fresh off a domestic treble under Hansi Flick. Flick has locked down Lamine Yamal for the long term, brought in Marcus Rashford on loan, added young talents like Roony Bardghji, and strengthened in goal with Joan García.

The attack looks loaded with youth and speed. But there’s a worry at the back. Veteran Iñigo Martínez has left for Saudi Arabia, leaving Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí, and Andreas Christensen to carry the defense. Can they stay solid enough for Barca to repeat?

Real Madrid are desperate to snatch the title back. Xabi Alonso is in the hot seat, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, and he’s already stamped his mark. Madrid signed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono, and Dean Huijsen, bolstering both defense and creativity.

Add Kylian Mbappé to the attack alongside Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, and on paper this is a superteam. But not all is smooth, Madrid stumbled at the Club World Cup, and even club legend Steve McManaman suggested Mbappé’s arrival unsettled the balance. Alonso’s biggest test isn’t talent, it’s chemistry. Can he get the stars to shine together?

Atlético Madrid are once again the dark horses. Diego Simeone oversaw a huge rebuild this summer, bringing in Thiago Almada, Álex Baena, Giacomo Raspadori, and more. Seven signings in total. On paper, it looks like a bold refresh.

But reality hit hard: Atlético lost their opening game to Espanyol despite an Álvaro Morata screamer. Defensive frailties and shaky substitutions showed the project is still raw. Still, Opta’s supercomputer gives them about a 12% chance to win the title, behind Barca (46%) and Madrid (32%) but not out of the race.

Beyond the big three, Athletic Club and Villarreal are lurking, tipped for potential Champions League spots, while the likes of Real Sociedad and Betis will look to cause trouble. But make no mistake this title will almost certainly come down to Barca’s flair, Madrid’s firepower, or Atleti’s grit
Can Barcelona repeat their treble-winning magic, or will their defense crack under pressure?

Will Xabi Alonso get Madrid’s new stars firing, or will egos clash and slow them down?

Can Simeone’s “new Atleti” grow fast enough to actually challenge, or was that loss to Espanyol the first warning sign?

Is there a dark horse outside the big three ready to shake things up?

Let's discuss!

Borusia Dortmund

The new Bundesliga season is here and the big question is the same as always: can anyone stop Bayern Munich? They were champions last year and have strengthened again by bringing in Luis Díaz from Liverpool and Jonathan Tah in defense.

It’s classic Bayern, already the strongest team, yet still adding more. But there are question marks. Harry Kane has already said the squad feels a bit thin, and if injuries hit, the gap might close.

Bayer Leverkusen, who won the title back in 23/24, are now in transition. Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid, and key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong went to Liverpool, while Tah also joined Bayern. That’s a huge amount of talent lost. In their place, new coach Erik ten Hag has signed players such as Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza, but it feels like a rebuild year more than a title charge. Can Ten Hag make it click fast enough?

RB Leipzig are also starting fresh with new coach Ole Werner. They lost their top striker Benjamin Šeško to Manchester United, which is a massive blow. Without his goals they’ll need others to step up. Leipzig still have a lot of quality across the squad and with no European distractions this season they can throw everything at the league. If Werner settles in quickly and someone fills the goalscoring gap, they could surprise.

Then there’s Borussia Dortmund. Under Niko Kovač they recovered well last spring to grab a Champions League spot, and there’s some new energy around the team. They brought in Jobe Bellingham, Jude’s younger brother, who looks like a smart signing for the midfield.

On the other hand, they sold Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to Chelsea, which takes away some flair on the wing. The big question for Dortmund is consistency. Can they avoid the random slip-ups that have cost them in past seasons?

So here we are. Bayern look powerful as ever, Leverkusen are rebuilding, Leipzig are retooling, and Dortmund are trying to step up again. On paper it’s Bayern’s title to lose, but football rarely sticks to the script.

Can Bayern actually be stopped this season, or will Díaz and Tah make the gap even bigger?

Are Leverkusen already out of the race after losing Alonso, Wirtz, and Frimpong, or could Ten Hag shock us?

Who replaces Šeško’s goals at Leipzig, and is this their chance to focus and push for the top?

How good can Dortmund be under Kovač with Jobe Bellingham in the squad, and do they finally have the mentality for a real title race?

Or is there a dark horse like Frankfurt that we’re not talking about enough?

Let's discuss!

Bayern Munich are the clear cut favorites. They've got the best team, and their closest challengers this season will be Borussia Dortmund because Bayer Leverkusen have sold a lot of their key players from the title winning season

Barcelona has the momentum, I don't see Real Madrid beating them to the La Liga title this season. Xabi Alonso frst needs to drill his tem to playn in his own pattern, and probably bring in players that will suit his style of play.