Related items

• Premier League opening weekend: Who has the toughest start?

  The Premier League fixtures were announced on Tuesday, with the new season now just under two months away.

  Holders Manchester City, chasing a fifth consecutive Premier League title, have a tough opener against Chelsea, now managed by Enzo Maresca, at Stamford Bridge on August 18.

  City have won their opening fixture in 12 of the last 13 seasons, though the only exception was a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in 2021-22.

  Meanwhile, Chelsea will begin a top-flight season against the reigning champions for the first time in 53 years, losing to Arsenal in their last such fixture in 1971 (3-0).

  Manchester United and Fulham will kick off the season at Old Trafford on August 16, with the Red Devils becoming the first Premier League side in history to start eight consecutive seasons on home soil.

  Brentford and West Ham are tipped to have the toughest starts, with their opponents' average rating at 89.6 on Opta's team rating scale – both sides face Pep Guardiola's side in their opening five matches.

  Arsenal and Ipswich Town sit joint-third behind them, with their first five fixtures averaging at 88.7.

  After narrowly missing out to City in the title race in the last two seasons, Arsenal begin their campaign at home to Wolves but face tricky tests against Aston Villa, Tottenham and the Citizens in the following weeks.

  Ipswich begin their first Premier League campaign for 22 years against the side they ended their last one against. They will travel to Anfield for Arne Slot's first match in charge of Liverpool, before hosting the reigning champions a week later.

  The Reds show as having the easiest opening of the 20 sides, with an average opponent rating of 83.7, with a trip to Old Trafford against rivals United the most notable match in their first five fixtures.

  Southampton's return to the top-flight comes at St. James' Park, but among teams to have played in 10 or more Premier League seasons, the Saints have the lowest win ratio (8 per cent), having won just two of their 24 games (D10 L12).

  Everton will kick off their final season at Goodison Park at home against Brighton – the Toffees have started the last two campaigns with defeats on home soil against Chelsea and Fulham, and have not lost three in a row since a run of four between 2008-09 and 2011-12.

  The opening weekend will be rounded off by Tottenham's trip to the other promoted side, Leicester City, who will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run when starting a league campaign at home (they have won six and drawn three of the previous nine).

• Inter Miami v Columbus Crew: Black & Gold aim for further road joy against gutsy Herons

  Inter Miami are sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference table but face a challenge on Thursday when Columbus Crew visit for an MLS clash at Chase Stadium.

  The Herons are two points clear at the summit of the East standings after snatching a 2-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union last time out.

  Yet Wilfried Nancy's Crew have triumphed in their last four road games in the league, battling to a 3-2 victory over New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Friday.

  "It's a massive run and just shows how good we are mentally" Mohamed Farsi said of the streak.

  "I think we have more away wins right now than last year all season. I think so or the same, so I'm happy for that."

  Farsi has become a central figure for Columbus and scored the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute against the Pigeons, much to the delight of head coach Nancy.

  "The idea for Mo is to be more consistent because he brings a lot of energy to the team," Nancy said.

  "He wants also to show himself that he's a better player than last year when we had the same deal here. Good for him.

  "Now, he knows that he has to work on certain things, but I'm happy for him. He's doing a good job."

  Despite missing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Matis Rojas – all of whom are on Copa America duty – the nine-man Herons overcame the Union thanks to Leo Afonso's last-gasp strike.

  "It is clear that in 10 times, nine of these games we would end up losing," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said.

  "Absolutely all the credit belongs to them. That has to do with the effort, with the character, with the guts that the boys had."

  Afonso echoed his coach's sentiment ahead of another crunch match-up.

  "It's difficult when you're missing the best players in history in their positions," he said. "But we got to keep working, and we got to try our best."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Inter Miami – Jordi Alba

  With stars Messi and Suarez on international duty, Jordi Alba will be expected to step up once more for the Herons.

  The former Barcelona full-back has two goals this year in MLS, as well as five assists – that creative tally is only bettered by Messi (13) and Julian Gressel (six) among Miami team-mates.

  Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi

  Diego Rossi remains an integral figure in attack for the Crew, whose Javier Hernandez (five goals) has only scored more than the forward's four in 10 MLS games this year.

  With other Uruguayan colleagues at the Copa, Rossi will hope to extend his fine scoring form here.

  MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

  Miami may be leading the way in the East but a draw appears the most likely outcome at Chase Stadium.

  The Herons have never lost a home match against the Crew (W2 D1), though Columbus did earn their first away point against David Beckham's Miami-based side on the last visit to Fort Lauderdale, a 2-2 draw in July 2023.

  Martino will hope to continue a strong run of form with another victory, however.

  Miami have won eight of their last 11 regular-season matches (D2 L1) following a 2-1 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday. Since that run began in mid-April, Martino's side have managed 26 points and scored 28 goals – both league-leading figures.

  Yet Columbus should not be ruled out for a win either.

  The Crew have won four straight regular-season away matches for the second time in club history after a four-match run in August-September 2015.

  Columbus have lost only one of their last 11 regular-season road matches, dating back to last September (W5 D5), and that streak could continue here.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Inter Miami win – 37.4%

  Columbus Crew win – 36.3%

  Draw – 26.4%

• Mbappe injury leaves Deschamps concerned after France's Euro 2024 triumph

  Kylian Mbappe suffering a late head injury marred France's Euro 2024 victory over Austria as Didier Deschamps was left concerned about the Les Bleus star.

  The Real Madrid-bound attacker sustained a blow to his nose after an aerial challenge with Austria's Kevin Danso before Mbappe was withdrawn on Monday.

  France held on for a 1-0 victory in Dusseldorf to move level with fellow Group D leaders Netherlands, but Deschamps will have to sweat over Mbappe's fitness before facing Ronald Koeman's men on Friday.

  "[His] nose is not good at all," the France head coach, who hit 100 wins in charge of his country with the victory over Ralf Rangnick's side, told reporters.

  "Even if it's just the nose, it's the big negative point for us tonight."

  Mbappe missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the second half as his wait for a European Championship goal continued.

  The former Paris Saint-Germain man remains without a goal from a total of 18 shots in the tournament, while he has registered 12 strikes from 39 attempts at the World Cup.

  Mbappe played the cross in for Max Wober's decisive first-half own-goal, however, as the centre-back's inadvertent error proved the difference in the pair's tournament opener.

  France are the first European side at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) to benefit from 10 own-goals, four more than any other side – Germany are the next best on six.

  Deschamps was still satisfied with Les Bleus' work, though acknowledged their failure in front of goal.

  "Happy with what the players did even if we missed opportunities to double the tally," he added. "It was not perfect but we were solid.

  "We could have been more efficient offensively but it's good to start with a win.

  "There's quality and talent but being solid and working together is also important. We're not going to be over-confident, but it's a good start."

  N'Golo Kante was named as the Player of the Match after his efficient display in midfield, having only returned to the international setup for this tournament after a two-year absence.

  No France player made more successful tackles than Kante's two (level with Jules Kounde), while the midfielder's pair of interceptions marked the most for Les Bleus.

  "Everything was not perfect but we have the result we wanted, this is a good start," Kante said. "There are solid foundations, we have to be more efficient.

  "It makes me happy to be back. Things have changed, makes it feels good to get back into this jersey."

  The defeat ended a run of seven games without a loss for Austria in all competitions (W6 D1), while it was only their second reverse in their last 17 matches (W12 D3).

  Yet former Manchester United boss Rangnick refused to point the blame at any of Austria's players.

  "We are all very disappointed... we allowed France to go ahead, they didn't shoot their goal, it was an unlucky own goal by us," Rangnick said.

  "I think no one can accuse the team of not being engaged enough, not running enough. They gave their everything.

  "They didn't always make the right decisions with the ball. But it isn't easy, the French were aggressive, and played compactly and that wasn't a surprise."