Matchday Two of the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off on Friday night with a London derby as West Ham host Chelsea.
The Hammers are already under pressure having been humbled 3-0 by promoted Sunderland last weekend. With coach Graham Potter failing to convince and star player Mohammed Kudus sold to Tottenham, these are turbulent times at the London Stadium – and Chelsea will look to take full advantage.
Beyond that, there are five games on Saturday, with one of the weekend's standout fixtures being the early kick off when Tottenham visit Manchester City. There's also a likely hostile clash between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, given how Forest became embroiled in Palace's dispute with Uefa.
There are three more games on Sunday before Monday night's spicy clash between hosts Newcastle and champions Liverpool, with relations between the clubs damaged by the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga.
See below as we pick out the winners and the losers.
Friday: West Ham v Chelsea, 11pm UAE
Chelsea, held by Crystal Palace on the opening day, could see their central defensive issues come under the spotlight here with Levi Colwill out with a long-term injury and Tosin Adarabioyo a doubt for the game.
That said, they should still have enough to beat a West Ham team who looked dire at Sunderland last weekend.
Prediction: West Ham 0 Chelsea 2
Saturday: Man City v Tottenham, 3.30pm
City sent out an early statement to their Premier League title rivals by ruthlessly dismantling Wolves last weekend with Erling Haaland in fine form.
They should find it more difficult here against a Spurs side who have started well under Thomas Frank.
Pep Guardiola's City have a strong record in the first month of the season, but Tottenham have been their bogey team for some time now. City have won only six of their past 15 meetings (D2, L7). Albeit against a relegation candidate, Tottenham showed quality in a routine 3-0 victory over Burnley.
Prediction: Man City 2 Tottenham 2
Bournemouth v Wolves, 6pm
There were promising signs for Bournemouth despite a 4-2 loss at Anfield last Friday, while Wolves were outclassed by Man City the following day.
Strangely, the Cherries have never won this fixture (D2, L3), but logic suggests that run has to end at some point.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2 Wolves 0
Brentford v Aston Villa, 6pm
Villa are virtually at full strength for this trip with only the suspended Ezri Konsa missing. The Bees will be without the injured Vitaly Janelt while Yoane Wissa is out as he tries to secure a move to Newcastle.
You wonder where the goals will come from for Brentford with Bryan Mbuemo sold and Wissa soon to follow.
Prediction: Brentford 0 Villa 1
Burnley v Sunderland, 6pm
Sunderland are likely to be unchanged from their 3-0 victory over West Ham. Wilson Isidore scored off the bench but Eliezer Mayenda is set to continue up front.
Burnley were thrashed at Spurs but a home fixture against a fellow promoted side is the type of game they need to be winning.
However, Scott Parker's side looks short of goals and Sunderland might simply be better equipped for the step up after their recruitment drive.
Prediction: Burnley 0 Sunderland 1
Arsenal v Leeds, 8.30pm
Arsenal were workmanlike in their 1-0 victory at Manchester United last weekend but should showcase their attacking potential here.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their past 14 games against Leeds in all competitions (D2, L12) and that run should continue with a straightforward victory.
Leeds grabbed a vital early three points at home against Everton, but had run out of steam by the time a controversial penalty gave them all three points.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 Leeds 0
Sunday: Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest, 5pm
Things are likely to be very hostile for Forest at Selhurst Park given their meddling in Palace's dispute with Uefa. As it transpired, Forest replaced Palace in the Europa League, with Oliver Glasner's side demoted to the Conference League.
Forest looked good on the opening day and the potential absence of talisman Eberechi Eze – who looks set to join Arsenal – will be a big blow to the hosts.
Prediction: Palace 1 Forest 1
Everton v Brighton, 5pm
This is a big day for Everton with it being their first Premier League game at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
But while the stadium is ready, the team sadly is not. David Moyes' side were poor at Leeds on Monday and looked to be paying the price for not yet plugging some gaping holes in the squad. That failure to get deals over the line was compounded by injuries to first-choice defenders Vitaliy Mykolenko and Jarrad Branthwaite on the eve of the season.
Brighton have an impressive record when playing Everton away (W3, D1) and could spoil the party here.
Prediction: Everton 1 Brighton 2
Fulham v Man United, 7.30pm
Altay Bayindir's howler for Arsenal's winner on Sunday means Ruben Amorim will be eager to have Andre Onana available. Amad Diallo is pushing for a start at right wing-back, while Benjamin Sesko could make his full United debut.
Fulham snatched a late draw against Brighton last week and might fancy their chances at home against a United side still bedding in new faces.
Prediction: Fulham 1 Man United 2
Monday: Newcastle v Liverpool, 11pm
The atmosphere should be electric on Tyneside for what will be something of a grudge match given Liverpool's attempts to sign the Magpies' star striker Alexander Isak.
That saga will run, but the champions have plenty of firepower even without the Swede. New boys Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have hit the ground running, while Mohamed Salah opened his account for the new season against Bournemouth last Friday.
Newcastle played well in a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa but might find themselves outgunned here.
Prediction: Newcastle 1 Liverpool 2
How to help
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
US Industrial Market figures, Q1 2017
Vacancy Rate 5.4%
Markets With Positive Absorption 85.7 per cent
New Supply 55 million sq ft
New Supply to Inventory 0.4 per cent
Under Construction 198.2 million sq ft
(Source: Colliers)
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Company%20profile
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
The%20specs%3A%20Taycan%20Turbo%20GT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C108hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C340Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%20(front%20axle)%3B%20two-speed%20transmission%20(rear%20axle)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh928%2C400%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOrders%20open%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
