prediction

Myles Garrett is out for four games following knee surgery, but other Rams edge rushers said they were ready to step up against the New York Giants on Monday night at SoFi Stadium.

Second-year pro Josaiah Stewart could start in Garrett’s place opposite Byron Young with Desjuan Johnson and rookie Wesley Bailey rotating in.

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Aaron Donald will play for the Rams against the New York Giants on Monday, but will Puka Nacua be on the field?

“I’m not going to go out there and be Myles Garrett,” said Stewart, who made six tackles and had one quarterback hit in the Rams’ season-opening defeat by the San Francisco 49ers, “but as a group we’ll fill our role and help do the job.”

The Rams’ pass rush will be aided by the addition of lineman Aaron Donald, the three-time NFL defensive player of the year who will make his season debut after coming out of two-year retirement.

But the outside linebackers plan to contribute.

“The room is full of talented guys, so everybody always smells blood,” said Johnson, a fourth-year pro. “We’re all sharks in the room, but we’re all helping each other. … It’s time for everybody to put on them big-boy boots.”

Bailey was the only first-year undrafted free agent to make the roster. He did it with outstanding performances in preseason games.

Young said losing Garrett was “huge” but he is confident the group will perform well.

“We’ve got guys that can definitely rush,” Young said. “I definitely think as a collective we can affect it together. He’s going to be back soon, and while he’s gone we’re going to hold it down and do what we do.”

Jim Harbaugh had never lost an NFL opener as a head coach… until last Sunday.

Now, with the Las Vegas Raiders coming to town, Harbaugh is looking to keep another streak intact. With him as coach, his Chargers are 4-0 against the Silver & Black.

If Sunday’s game isn’t a must-win for the Chargers, it’s certainly a high-stakes contest on the heels of an opening flop against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Chargers did precious little right in that 26-14 defeat at SoFi Stadium, the first Week 1 loss for Harbaugh in seven openers.

The Chargers, who were favored by 9½ points, failed to generate anything close to a rhythm. The newly unveiled Mike McDaniel offense failed to get any real traction, and Justin Herbert was sacked three times.

One of the few bright spots for the Chargers was receiver Ladd McConkey, but his availability remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Raiders dominated the visiting Miami Dolphins, 27-13, handing Klint Kubiak a victory in his coaching debut. Granted, the Dolphins don’t show a lot of promise.

Harbaugh’s teams have swept the Raiders each of the past two seasons. In fact, the last time the Chargers lost to the Raiders was a 63-21 debacle Dec. 14, 2023, and Chargers coach Brandon Staley was fired the next day.

Man United have won only one league game this season, leaving Michael Carrick under pressure ahead of Fulham trip.

Who: Fulham vs Manchester United
What: English Premier League
Where: Craven Cottage, London in United Kingdom
When: Sunday, September 20, at 4:30pm (15:30 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up to our live text commentary stream from 12:30 GMT.

One month into the new ‌Premier League season, excuses about bedding-in processes and newly assembled squads needing time to gel are wearing thin and for Manchester United ⁠there is an acute sense ⁠of urgency as the international break looms.

United are by no means the only ‘big club’ enduring a faltering start to the campaign but after so much pre-season optimism, the spotlight has fallen very much on manager Michael Carrick ahead of ⁠Sunday’s trip to Fulham.

Al Jazeera takes a closer look at the game:

How have Manchester United started the new season?

United have ⁠lost three of their six matches in all competitions and suffered a damaging League Cup exit on Wednesday, surrendering a 2-0 ⁠lead to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Their only win in four league games came at home to promoted Ipswich Town.

United started the better in the VAR-dominated Manchester derby last Sunday, but played second fiddle to the away team after City were reduced to ten men.

How have Fulham started the new season?

The London club have made a slow start under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa and are yet to win in the league.

A draw at Liverpool last week and a League Cup win at West Ham United in midweek offered glimpses of better things to come.

What has Carrick said about United’s start to the season?

Carrick accepted responsibility for the team’s poor start but said the focus must remain on finding ⁠solutions rather than assigning blame.

“It’s my responsibility and I’m fine with that. It’s not a blame ⁠game. Blame me, no problem, but it’s ⁠not about blaming people,” said the 45-year-old boss.

“It’s about finding solutions. It’s a whole collective thing. It’s about what you focus on. I know where we want to get to ‌and we want to get there fast.”

What happened the last time Fulham played Man Utd?

United won 3-2 in their last meeting which came in the Premier League at Old Trafford on February 1.

Casemiro and Matheus Cunha put United two up before a chaotic finale that saw Raul Jiminez net an 85th minute penalty for the Londoners before Benjamin Sesko and Kevin traded injury time strikes.

What happened between Fulham and Man Utd at Craven Cottage last season?

The teams shared a 1-1 draw in the Premier League match. Emile Smith Rowe’s 73rd minute goal levelled matters after Rodrigo Muniz put through his own net in the 58th minute.

When did Fulham last beat Manchester United?

Fulham won 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on February 24, 2024. Harry Maguire appeared to have sealed a point for United in the 90th minute when he cancelled out Calvin Bassey’s 65th minute goal, but Alex Iwobi got Fulham’s winner in injury time.

United have won three of the five meetings since then.

When did Fulham last beat Man Utd at Craven Cottage?

Fulham have not recorded a home win against United since December 2009. Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff sealing a 3-0 home win.

Of the 10 matches since then, United have won nine, scoring 21 and conceding six.

Prediction: Fulham vs Manchester United

Opta’s supercomputer has given Manchester United a 47.4 percent chance of winning, while offering Fulham only a 28.3 percent chance of victory.

Head-to-head: Fulham vs Manchester United

This will be their 94th meeting, with Manchester United winning 59 of the encounters and Fulham 14.

Fulham team news

Kenny Tete misses out due to concussion at Anfield last week.

Tom Cairney is also absent with a knee injury, but Ryan Sessegnon will have a late fitness test as he returns from a groin problem.

Predicted Fulham lineup

Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia

Manchester United team news

United will make a late decision on whether to include Luke Shaw and Carlos ‌Baleba ‌in the squad. Both have had ankle problems, but could feature.

Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo all remain sidelined with injuries.

Predicted Manchester United lineup

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Who: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
What: La Liga
Where: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday, September 20, at 4:15pm (14:15 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from 11:15 GMT before our live text commentary stream

Atletico host bitter city rivals Real for the Madrid derby as both sides look to keep up with early La Liga pacesetters Barcelona.

Madrid trail unbeaten champions Barcelona at the top of the table by three points, with Atletico third.

Atletico have bounced back from back-to-back defeats to Bilbao and Liverpool earlier in September, beating Real Sociedad 3-0 and Osasuna 4-0 in their last two games.

Real come into the game in decent form under boss Jose Mourinho but have had wobbles this month, with a defeat to Betis and scoring late to beat bottom club Elche after squandering a two-goal lead.

Improving Atletico cruise to win over Osasuna

Atletico Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 on Wednesday to build some form in the run-up to Sunday’s derby clash against rivals Real Madrid.

Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, Robin Le Normand and Alex Baena’s goals helped Diego Simeone’s side cruise to a comfortable home victory.

They were without injured striker Julian Alvarez, but it did not matter after they secured a second straight win to cut the gap on top two Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The comfortable victory was important for an Atletico side with lots of new faces still bedding in, after two defeats in their three matches prior.

“We controlled it in the first half even though we weren’t clinical,” said coach Diego Simeone. “We were clinical in the second half and controlled the game.”

Mourinho rues lack of game control

Real ‌Madrid squandered a two-goal lead before substitute Carlos Espi struck in stoppage time to ⁠secure a dramatic 3-2 ⁠victory at Elche in La Liga on Tuesday.

Real went 2-0 up inside 33 minutes through a Matias Dituro own goal and Kylian Mbappe, but second-half strikes from Abiel ⁠Osorio and Fer Nino hauled Elche level before Espi restored the visitors’ lead in the 91st minute.

It was the second time in ⁠six league matches that the 21-year-old Espi had come off the bench to score a late winner, although Mourinho remained concerned by Real’s failure to control the second half in advance of Sunday’s derby against Atletico Madrid.

“The problem seems obvious to me. It’s harder to know why, but it’s easy to understand that there are matches that seem over and, in the end, aren’t,” said Mourinho.

“[There are] matches where we have three, four, five chances to finish them and don’t,” he said at the pre-match news conference.

“After failing to do so, it feels like we go from ease, because it seemed easy, to losing control.”

Mourinho said his team’s defensive issues were of concern.

“Not just for Sunday’s match, but for every match. I like my team to score goals … but I also like controlling matches,” explained Mourinho.

“I don’t like gifting control. It’s not about the goals, it’s about giving away control of the match.”

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer has made Real Madrid the favourites, with a win probability of 46.6 percent. Atletico were given a 28.3 percent chance of winning, while a draw was estimated at a 25.1 percent likelihood.

Head-to-head

The rivals have faced each other on 243 occasions; Real Madrid won 125 games, Atletico won 60, while 58 matches ended as draws.

Last five encounters:

• March 22, 2026: Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico (La Liga)
• January 8, 2026: Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid (Spanish Super Cup semifinal)
• September 27, 2025: Atletico 5-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)
• March 12, 2025: Atletico 1-0 Real Madrid (Champions League last 16, second leg)
• March 4, 2025: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico (Champions League last 16, first leg)

What happened the last time the two clubs played each other?

Vinicius Jr scored ⁠twice ⁠as Real Madrid fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu in ⁠a breathless Spanish capital derby in March.

Atletico’s Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing a slick ‌counterattack involving Matteo Ruggeri and a delightful back-heel from Giuliano Simeone.

Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute, after David Hancko clumsily tripped Brahim Diaz, and Federico ⁠Valverde capitalised on a ⁠Jose Maria Gimenez error three minutes later to make it 2-1 to Real.

Nahuel Molina silenced Real’s ⁠Bernabeu stadium with a thunderous 30-metre strike in ⁠the 66th minute, but ⁠Vinicius restored Real’s lead with a cracking solo effort six minutes later.

What happened in the corresponding fixture last season?

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Atletico Madrid came from behind to thrash city rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a pulsating derby in September 2025.

Atletico’s aggressive start paid off when Robin Le Normand opened the scoring with a header in the 14th minute.

However, Kylian Mbappe burst through to level with an unstoppable strike from close range in a quick counter in the 25th minute, with Arda Guler netting a volley from a Vinicius Jr cross 11 minutes later to put the visitors in front.

Alexander Sorloth’s header in added time before the break gave Atletico a boost, and they regained the lead five minutes into the second half when Alvarez converted a penalty after Guler’s high boot clipped Nico Gonzalez on the face inside the box.

After Alvarez extended their lead in the 64th minute with a sublime free kick into the top corner, substitute Antoine Griezmann sealed the win in a quick counter in added time.

Atletico Madrid’s team news

Alvarez, Pablo Barrios, and Sorloth are doubts, as all three are struggling with muscle issues.

Jonathan David is likely to continue up front if Alvarez is absent or starts on the bench.

Predicted starting XI:

Oblak (goalkeeper); Llorente, Romero, Le Normand, Grimaldo; Lee, Koke, Cardoso, Baena; David, Lookman

Real Madrid’s team news

Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Ferland Mendy are unavailable due to injuries, but otherwise Mourinho appears to have a full squad to choose from.

Predicted starting XI:

Courtois (goalkeeper); Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

Guess Aaron Donald was the smart one. He must have known what was coming for the Rams in Australia against the 49ers so he stayed home. Maybe he’ll all of a sudden have a strained groin and won’t be able to play this season.

Stanley Elrich
Arleta

There is no longer a weekly cover of Sports Illustrated magazine to jinx athletes. But we still have Bill Plaschke! It sure didn’t take long for Bill’s prediction, that the Rams would go 20-0 this season, to jinx the team. The Plaschke Curse strikes again!

Stephen Greenberg
Santa Monica

Do the Rams know they actually have to win some football games? Not just show up and expect the other team to lay down. I know Bill Plaschke put the curse on them by declaring an undefeated season but coach Sean McVay and the Rams have to do better.

Russell Hosaka
Torrance

Can someone please take Bill Plaschke’s computer away from him so he can’t make another unnecessary prediction that could come back to jinx the fans of L.A.? What purpose does it serve for a sportswriter with a dubious history of predictions to go out on a limb and make yet another useless, grand statement? Hasn’t he learned his lesson?

Danny Balber Jr.
Pasadena

Sean McVay’s experiment of not properly acclimating the team to the massive time change in Australia was a huge a risk. McVay cited last year’s London Game (Rams handily beat the Jaguars), when they crossed five time zones (Baltimore to London) without acclimating and thought it would apply to 17 time zones to Melbourne?

It was an embarrassment for the franchise and L.A. and further promoted the idea that the Rams can’t beat the 49ers. Additionally, McVay went to his usual bag of tricks, abandoning a successful running attack in favor of a tired and rusty Matt Stafford passing incessantly, being harassed and ineffective.

This was easily the dumbest head coaching call of McVay’s career. He needs to apologize to his team and the fans.

Axel Hubert
Santa Monica

Thanks, Roger Goodell! Your relentless desire to “expand” the NFL fan base reached its apex Thursday night (or Friday morning?) with the Rams and 49ers game in Australia. It’s bad enough forcing teams to fly eight or nine hours to Europe but this Australian game takes the proverbial cake.

When is “enough is enough” regarding “expanding” the game? The world loves soccer so let them have it; American football is uniquely American so, please, recognize this fact, enjoy the huge revenues from TV and let NFL teams play in the U.S. where the game belongs!

Ken Blake
Brea

Jim Harbaugh wants his teams to finish seasons the way they start them.

If the Chargers do that, they’re going all the way.

Counting his four seasons with San Francisco, Harbaugh is 6-0 in NFL season debuts as a head coach. That’s tied for the most opening victories without a loss in league history.

“It’s September. It’s time to play our first game,” Harbaugh told reporters this week. “And I support no cause, foreign or domestic, other than the greatness of the Los Angeles Chargers.”

His team plays host to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and oddsmakers see a blowout in the making. The Chargers are favored by 9½ points, the biggest spread of Week 1.

Despite a 2-0 start last season, the Cardinals lost 14 of the next 15 and wound up with the third overall pick in the NFL draft, which they used on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The rookie is questionable for this game because of an ankle injury.

Their quarterback is no longer Kyler Murray, now in Minnesota, but Jacoby Brissett, who is on his sixth franchise — and seventh if you count two stops in New England.

This game is the “Mike” drop, if you will, with Mike LaFleur coaching his first game for Arizona, and Mike McDaniel making his debut as Chargers offensive coordinator.

LaFleur and McDaniel have history. They were young offensive assistants in Cleveland, Atlanta and San Francisco and both represent branches of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree.

There’s a link too between Harbaugh and LaFleur. Both are younger brothers of other current NFL head coaches: Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers and John Harbaugh of the New York Giants.

Who: Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
What: Champions League league phase
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
When: Tuesday, September 8, at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from 16:00 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream

When Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, after leading the Italian outfit to Champions League glory, he was at the peak of his powers.

The Portuguese coach claimed an historic treble with Inter, clinching Serie A in the last week of the season and lifting the Coppa Italia.

Inter beat Bayern 2-0 in the Champions League final at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, winning the trophy for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian team to win the treble.

The day after the final Mourinho said it was likely his last match in charge and about a week later his appointment at Real Madrid was finalised.

Now 16 years on, and beginning his second stint at Madrid, Mourinho kicks off the record 15-time Champions League winners’ European campaign against Serie A champions Inter on Tuesday at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho denies feeling pressure to lift Champions League

The Champions League is the only trophy that evaded Mourinho during his first stint at Real Madrid.

“No, it is two different spells,” he said when asked at a pre-match news conference if he was in debt to the club. “When I left in 2013, we won what we won and lost what we lost and ‌we gave it our all. And that was that. What I need to do now has nothing to do with the past.”

“Back in 2010, we weren’t even reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League and it had been ages since we’d played in a semifinal. Now we’ve won six Champions Leagues in a little over a decade.”

All eyes will be on how Real respond to their first setback of Mourinho’s second spell – a 1-0 defeat ⁠by Real Betis in La Liga on Friday.

“We want to win every ⁠match, every competition,” he said. But you have to work to accomplish stability. Stability. Stability … Structure …

“So Real Madrid need to reach that stability that is so important to achieve something great. But Real Madrid are Real Madrid, you ⁠need to win here no matter what.”

‘We all need to improve’

Sitting alongside Mourinho, star striker Kylian Mbappe was asked several times about his relationship ⁠with Vinicius Jr and the atmosphere in the Real dressing room.

“What does an improvement in the dressing room mean?” Mbappe said when asked if there had been a change from last year.

“Do you have the feeling that something wasn’t right ‌last year? No, it’s the same as last year. It’s true we have a different coach, but it’s the same.”

Mbappe acknowledged his side have to improve in front of goal.

“I could say that I score more goals than some PSG players so they need to score more, but I have to be smart and acknowledge that I need to improve too, even if I do certain things that others don’t,” he said.

“It’s an endless debate. We all need to improve [in front of goal], and also with the ball.”

What happened in Madrid’s last match?

Mbappe missed a late penalty as Troy Parrott scored his first goal for Real Betis in their 1-0 win on Friday, ending Mourinho’s perfect start to the La Liga season.

Madrid had won each of their first three matches under Mourinho in his second spell in charge, but Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles denied Mbappe from the spot deep into stoppage time to seal a memorable victory at La Cartuja.

Vinicius Junior hit the post in the first half from Arda Guler’s pass across the face of goal, with Mbappe foiled twice by heroic blocks from Natan Bernardo de Souza and Marc Bartra.

As Madrid struggled to break Betis down, the hosts took a surprise lead nine minutes from time when Parrott fired home the rebound after Thibaut Courtois had produced a fine save to deny Nelson Deossa’s header.

What happened in Inter’s last match?

A last-gasp winner from Lautaro Martinez sealed a breathless win for Inter as the Serie A champions fought back from two goals down to edge visiting Napoli 3-2 on Saturday.

The game exploded in the second half when Matteo Politano guided home a shot in the 50th minute before Rasmus Hojlund’s curler doubled the Napoli lead three minutes later.

Inter responded almost immediately when Martinez hammered in his first goal of the season from a Dimarco cross. Substitute Marcus Thuram came agonisingly close to a leveller when he headed off the post.

The France international would not be denied twice, though, and smashed a towering header past Alex Meret in the 82nd minute to level the scores.

Chances fell at both ends before Martinez’s penalty box instincts proved decisive in the 91st minute as Napoli failed to clear in a goalmouth scramble and the Argentina striker pounced to settle an extraordinary match.

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer makes Real Madrid the favourites, with a win probability of 56 percent. Inter given a 22.3 percent chance of winning.

Head-to-head

They have faced each other on 19 occasions; Madrid won 10 games, Inter won seven, and two ended as draws.

Somewhat surprisingly, Inter have not beaten Real Madrid since 1998, a game in which the great Roberto Baggio scored a brace for the Italians.

Last five encounters:

• December 07, 2021:  Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan (Champions League)
• September 15, 2021: Inter Milan 0-1 Real Madrid (Champions League)
• November 25, 2020:  Inter Milan 0-2 Real Madrid (Champions League)
• November 03, 2020:  Real Madrid 3-2 Inter Milan (Champions League)
• November 25, 1998:  Inter Milan 3-1 Real Madrid (Champions League)

Real Madrid’s team news

Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva will all miss the game due to suspensions carried over from last season.

Madrid also have a host of injuries to contend with as Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio are all ruled out.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Marc Cucurella face late fitness tests as they struggle to recover from injuries, but all are reportedly back in training.

Predicted starting XI:

Courtois (goalkeeper); Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bellingham, Valverde; Diomande, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

Inter Milan’s team news

Left-back Federico Dimarco is unavailable due to a knee injury, while new signing Djed Spence is still working his way back to full fitness after an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to feature.

Predicted starting XI:

Josep Martinez (goalkeeper); Bastoni, Bisseck, Akanji; Diouf, Barella, Jones, Calhanoglu, Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram

Who: Everton vs Manchester United
What: English Premier League
Where: Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom
When: Sunday, August 6, at 2pm (13:00 GMT).
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from 10:00 GMT ahead of our live coverage.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he is delighted with the additions to his squad despite being outspent by Premier League rivals in the transfer window and short on depth in some areas.

United put their efforts into rebuilding Carrick’s midfield, with Casemiro’s exit and a serious injury to Manuel Ugarte offset by the acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba for a combined 155 million pounds ($210m).

The Red Devils’ fiercest rivals spent almost that budget on a single player as Manchester City broke the British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez, while Liverpool splashed up to 123 million pounds ($166m) on French winger Bradley Barcola.

Despite returning to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons, Carrick hinted at having to work within financial restrictions.

“We went into the window wanting to come out stronger from the group that we had last season. We’ve definitely added to that,” Carrick told a pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.

“I think we’ve done a lot of good work in that respect and the situation is what it is in terms of finances and what we can work with and what we’re trying to get the most of.

“Certainly, the players that we’ve brought into the group I’m absolutely delighted with and I think we’ve done some really good business there.”

What areas of doubt remain for Manchester United?

United look particularly short in defence with the injury-prone Luke Shaw their only senior option at left-back.

“What squad ever is the perfect squad? You’ve always got to find ways of adapting,” Carrick added.

“When you’re building and trying to push to go through a period where we’re trying to get to the top – that’s the ultimate goal – you’ve got to make steps.”

Joshua Zirkzee was among those expected to leave Old Trafford to boost the funds available to Carrick.

Despite interest from Fiorentina and Juventus and a deadline-day approach from Everton, the Netherlands international remains at United, despite limited game time over the past two seasons.

“He wants to play more than he has done and that’s the good competition and healthy competition for places,” said Carrick.

“Josh can do some really, really top things. I’ve seen it myself, and I know he can do that and looking forward to him doing that a little bit more often for us.”

How have Manchester United started the Premier League season?

After a dreadful 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull on the opening weekend of the season, United bounced back to thrash Ipswich 5-2 thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick last time out.

Moyes laments Everton’s squad after frustrating transfer window

Everton boss David Moyes conceded ‌he is left with a small squad after a disappointing transfer window in ⁠which key players departed ⁠and a deadline day medical fell through as they tried to sign American striker Folarin Balogun.

Moyes expressed frustration at his club’s close-season business, ⁠revealing they did not want to lose Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye but were powerless when bigger teams like Manchester City look to sign their players.

“Disappointed we didn’t do more business ⁠and disappointed things didn’t go our way in the end. Sometimes in football you have to live with disappointment and we will move on,” Moyes told reporters on Friday.

“I know what I needed and I know what it’s like to build a squad for the Premier League, I know ‌the numbers you need. I’ve been around long enough to know that, but some things went against us and some things could have gone better.

“Ultimately, we didn’t want to lose a lot of the players, but for different reasons that had to happen.”

AS Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro said Everton raised concerns over Balogun’s medical late on deadline day and that the US international pulled out because he was uncomfortable with the doubts ⁠raised by the Merseyside club over his health.

“It wasn’t anybody’s fault. ⁠It happens in football a lot,” Moyes said.

“The player had a problem in his medical and that was simply it. There’s no other story behind it.”

Everton face fans backlash over transfer window business

Everton’s Fans’ Forum also criticised the club’s planning and recruitment after the transfer ⁠window closed, saying supporters deserved answers after another window marked by late activity and a failed pursuit of key targets.

With a thin ⁠squad, Moyes said Everton’s academy players would have to step ⁠up but was unsure if they could fill the gaps.

“Are they ready to make the step up? I’m not sure about that. We will see how that goes, some of them might be pushed in,” Moyes said.

“They’re all ‌going to have to be able to muck in as we’ve got a real small squad now,” he added.

“It gives opportunities to some people who have not had them and sometimes ‌in ‌football you need to be given that chance so that you can show what you can do. Let’s see if some of them can do that.”

What happened the last time Everton faced Manchester United?

Manchester United were 1-0 winners in the last meeting of the sides, which came in a Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium in February.

Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal after 71 minutes.

When did Everton last beat Manchester United?

Everton won 1-0 in the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford last season – despite being reduced to ten men early on.

Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 14th minute, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall came up with what would be the winner on the halfway mark.

Prediction – Everton vs Manchester United

The Opta supercomputer is giving Everton a 38.3 percent chance of winning, while offering United only a 33.3 percent chance of claiming the spoils.

Head-to-head – Everton vs Manchester United

This will be their 216th meeting with United winning 97 times and Everton 69.

The first meeting came in 1892 with Everton winning the English top flight encounter 6-0. The Toffees hit 10 against United that season as they completed the double with a 4-3 away win.

Everton team news

Jack Grealish is set to come straight into the matchday squad following his transfer deadline day loan from Manchester City.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also appear following the September 1 move for the ex-Arsenal defender. Christian Norgaard, another former Gunner, misses out with a knock.

Everton predicted starting lineup

Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Manchester United team news

Carlos Baleba’s ankle continues to prevent his United debut. Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are all injured.

Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Tom Heaton all face late fitness tests.

Manchester United predicted starting lineup

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha

Who: Aston Villa vs Arsenal
What: English Premier League
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom
When: Monday, August 30, at 8pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from 16:00 GMT.

An early-season highlight in the English Premier League pits the dark horse for the title in recent years, Aston Villa, against the side that last season finally ended a 22-year wait to lift the top-flight trophy.

Villa had been making the early running in recent seasons and pushing the contenders most of the way, but it finished fourth last season – with only a late-season scramble securing their Champions League qualification as a result.

They did, however, secure the UEFA Europa League in their last campaign.

The Gunners, meanwhile, fired their way to the title to end Manchester City’s recent grip on the Premier League, having won the previous four titles, and show little sign of loosening their own hold this season.

This is a match that has produced some tasty encounters in recent years with revered Spanish coaches in either dugout.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at Monday’s match.

How have Arsenal started the new Premier League season?

Arsenal are a side brimming with the confidence of champions.

Mikel Arteta’s men have swatted aside Manchester City and Coventry City 3-0 to pick up the Community Shield and make a perfect start to their title defence respectively.

How have Aston Villa started the new Premier League season?

Aston Villa were thrashed 4-0 by Brighton in their opening match of the new Premier League season last week.

A depleted Villa conceded four goals inside the opening 31 minutes at Brighton, and also had Joao Gomes sent off in the first half in a miserable start to the season.

They were also defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup to kick off the return of European top flight football.

Arsenal’s Konsa set for frosty Villa return after summer transfer

Ezri Konsa could make his Arsenal debut to a frosty reception on his return to Villa Park, following his recent switch.

The England international is just one of a series of departures from Villa in recent months, which has torn apart a much-respected side.

The depth of options available to the Gunners means Konsa may even have to wait for his chance to shine despite the absence of William Saliba due to a long-term back injury.

Will Arsenal have more business to do in the transfer window?

Arteta has revealed that he has had difficult conversations with forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as both Brazilian internationals appear set to depart Arsenal.

“It’s inevitable. At some point you need to have certain discussions and say certain things that sometimes are tough,” said Arteta.

Martinelli left training early on Thursday amid speculation that he is set for a move to Saudi side Al Hilal for a fee that could reportedly rise to 50 million pounds ($68m).

“I think everybody knows and recognises how much we love Gabi [Martinelli]. Whatever the outcome is, it will be because everybody agrees to that,” added Arteta.

Jesus has fallen well down the pecking order during an injury-disrupted time in north London and was not even included in training on Thursday as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

“It’s something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad at the moment and the way we’re managing that kind of situation individually with all the players – they have some personal situations,” Arteta said of the former Manchester City striker.

Will Arsenal sign Atletico’s Alvarez?

Arsenal have been linked with bolstering their forward line with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.

The Argentinian is caught in an acrimonious standoff after Atletico refused to let him depart the Spanish capital for Barcelona.

“Don’t go there,” said Arteta about Arsenal’s interest in Alvarez. “I’m not going to make any comment about any player that is not with us.”

What is the latest transfer news at Villa after Watkins sale?

Villa manager Unai Emery said Ollie Watkins should be remembered fondly by Aston Villa fans despite not playing in the defeat by Villa, as he neared his move to Al Hilal.

The England international made a 50 million-pound ($68m) exit and has been replaced by Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

Watkins will follow Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne out of Villa Park, as the side that won last season’s Europa League has been torn apart.

But Emery said a disagreement over his availability last weekend should not mask Watkins’s legacy after netting 108 times over the last six years.

“Last week, I was a little bit disappointed. I was disappointed, but we spoke about it, and now [it’s] clear. He is a fantastic player, fantastic guy, and one mistake is not closing all the good things he did here,” Emery said.

“He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well, because he always had very good behaviour and commitment with the club and with me.

“I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and with small tears. But now, it’s a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson.”

Jackson will reportedly cost Villa an initial 47.5 million pounds ($64.3m), with a further 17.5 million pounds ($23.7m) in potential add-ons.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has also moved in the other direction to join Chelsea – and the Villa exodus.

Why have Villa sold so many of their star names?

Villa have been forced to cash in on many of their stars due to financial sustainability rules.

But Emery is determined to continue driving the club forward after qualifying for the Champions League twice in the past three seasons, and ending Villa’s 30-year wait to win a trophy.

“We don’t want to be a club to sell players, but the responsibility is there,” added the Spaniard.

“It’s not changing our objective – our priority for the next year is to be competitive and to fight again to be in the top positions.”

What happened the last time Aston Villa played Arsenal?

Arsenal were 4-1 winners in the Premier League at Emirates Stadium when these sides last met.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes on December 30, the Gunners fired their way towards the new year – and the eventual title – with goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.

Watkins scored a late consolation for Villa.

What happened in the corresponding match between Villa and Arsenal last season?

Villa were 2-1 winners in the corresponding fixture last season on December 5.

Matty Cash gave the home side the lead in the first half at Villa Park.

Leandro Trossard levelled early in the second period before Emiliano Buendia secured an injury-time winner.

Head-to-head

This will be the 208th meeting between the sides, with Arsenal winning 89 of those fixtures and Villa emerging victorious on 72 occasions.

The sides first met in October 1904, with Arsenal winning 1-0 in their English top-flight encounter in London. Villa won the reverse fixture 4-1 two months later.

Stat attack

There has not been a goalless draw between these sides in the last 21 matches, which have produced 63 goals and resulted in 13 wins for Arsenal and seven for Villa.

Villa did go on a four-match winning streak against the Gunners, and have won six of the last 13 meetings with one draw.

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer has given Arsenal a 63 percent chance of winning that game, while handing Villa – the home side – only a 16 percent chance.

Clearly, the supercomputer is not a fan of Villa’s summer transfer business.

Aston Villa team news

Villa have registered Jackson in time to face Premier League champions Arsenal, while Leon Goretzka could also make his debut after joining on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.

Alexandra Gomez is suspended for violent conduct and started the first of a three-game ban, while Amadou Onana misses out with a knee injury.

Aston Villa predicted starting lineup

Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Ruggeri; Bogarde, Kamara; Buendia, Barkley, McGinn; Jackson

Arsenal team news

As well as Saliba, the Gunners will be without Jurrien Timber at the back.

Bruno Guimaraes could return from a minor groin issue.

Arsenal predicted starting lineup

Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz

Who: Chelsea vs Brighton
What: English Premier League
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, United Kingdom
When: Sunday, August 30, at 2pm (13:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from 10:00 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream

Chelsea and Brighton will look to build on decent starts to the season, as the Blues welcome the Seagulls to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea began life under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 victory at West London neighbours Fulham in the Premier League on Monday as their exciting front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all found the net.

They then followed that up with a solid 2-0 win over Luton in the League Cup on Thursday.

But Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton side also came into the game in a buoyant mood after recording back-to-back 4-0 home wins over Aston Villa in their Premier League opener last weekend and against Norwegian side Tromso in a Europa Conference League playoff on Thursday.

Brighton will also fancy their chances against Chelsea, having won their last three league games against the Blues while finding the net three times on each occasion.

Fernandez’s Chelsea future uncertain as Alonso seeks commitment

Alonso said he wants players that “feel a desire” to play for Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez was left out of Thursday’s League Cup win over Luton.

The Argentina midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester City, but no suitor has yet met Chelsea’s reported 120 million-pound ($162m) valuation of Fernandez.

The 25-year-old came off the bench in the Blues’s 3-2 win over Fulham to give Alonso a winning start to his reign in the Premier League on Monday.

However, the former Real Madrid boss hinted that Fernandez may not be involved against Brighton.

“We need to take everything into consideration: players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me, it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation,” said Alonso.

“We talked and we decided that [for Luton] it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that.”

Alonso happy with squad ‘balance’ amid busy transfer window

Selling Fernandez would ease the pressure on Chelsea to meet financial sustainability regulations after another window of heavy investment in the transfer market.

Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, Danny Welbeck, Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda have arrived at Stamford Bridge for combined fees in excess of 300 million pounds ($406m).

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez is also set to join to replace the error-prone Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper.

There have also been a number of departures from the club in recent days, including strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.

Alonso, who previously said his bloated squad size needed to be drastically cut, is satisfied with the clear-out.

“We are quite close to the plan that we had. We will see where we finish, if it’s fully executed or there are some things still to be done,” he added.

“But overall the balance of what we have is going to be good. We need to see how the last few days develop.”

Hurzeler warns of Cole Palmer threat

After a poor season, Palmer looked back to his best against Fulham as he thrived while roaming in a free role under Alonso.

During his pre-match news conference, Hurzeler warned his side cannot defend against Palmer on a “one-to-one” basis and must be collectively strong to stop the playmaker and Chelsea’s other talents.

The German coach said he was happy with his own squad as the transfer window is set to close.

“There’s a minor issue with small injuries but I’m not here to complain; I’m here to find solutions together with my team and that’s what we try to do since day one, so yes, I’m happy with the squad,” he said.

He said new signings Jaouen Hadjam and Promise David should be available for the Chelsea game.

I think they are two great players. Two great personalities. They make our squad stronger,” he said.

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer has made Chelsea the favourites, with a win probability of 49.6 percent. Brighton were given a 26 percent chance of winning, while a draw was estimated at a 24.4 percent likelihood.

Head-to-head

The two clubs have faced each other 28 times, with Chelsea winning 16 games, Brighton winning 7, and five matches ending as draws.

Brighton have won the last four encounters between the two sides, with Chelsea’s last victory in the tie coming back in September 2024.

Last five encounters:

• April 21, 2026: Brighton 3-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
• September 27, 2025: Chelsea 1-3 Brighton (Premier League)
• February 14, 2025: Brighton 3-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
• February 08, 2025: Brighton 2-1 Chelsea (FA Cup fourth round)
• September 28, 2024: Chelsea 4-2 Brighton (Premier League)

What happened the last time the two clubs met?

Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu netted an early opener, and Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck scored in the second half to pile more misery on floundering Chelsea in a 3-0 Premier League victory back in April.

The result saw Brighton climb above their visitors to sixth in the table, with Chelsea in the midst of a dire run of results that would see them miss out on European football this season.

Chelsea’s team news

Marco Palestra remains unavailable with an injury, as is Jordan Henderson, who continues to recover from a broken wrist sustained while celebrating England’s last-16 World Cup win over Mexico.

However, Alonso said he was hopeful that key midfielder Moises Caicedo will be fit enough to face his former club, while Levi Colwill and Geovany Quenda are also in contention to play.

Defender Wesley Fofana returns after serving his suspension for a red card on the final day of last season at Sunderland.

Alonso suggested that the unsettled Enzo Fernandez may not feature as he is being linked with a move to Manchester City.

Predicted starting XI:

Sanchez (goalkeeper); Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Gusto, Caicedo, James, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro

Brighton’s team news

Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson are all long-term absentees for Brighton.

Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter are doubts after picking up knocks. If Rutter is unable to feature, then either Charalampos Kostoulas or new loan signing Promise David could start up front.

Predicted starting XI:

Verbruggen (goalkeeper); Kadioglu, Boscagli, Dunk, Vuskovic; Wieffer, Ayari; Gomez, Gross, De Cuyper; Kostoulas

Who: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
What: English Premier League
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom
When: Saturday, August 29, at 12:30pm (11:30 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the buildup from 08:30 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream

Both sides are looking for their first wins of the season, as Liverpool host Forest at Anfield.

Liverpool struggled in their first competitive game under new boss Andoni Iraola, although they battled to come back from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle.

The Reds are still hoping to bolster their rather threadbare squad and are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign French forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Forest have lost their first two games of the season as they begin a new era under coach Oliver Glasner.

Forest lost both games at home to Leeds – the first a 1-0 defeat in their opening league game last weekend, the second a 2-0 midweek loss in the League Cup.

So both teams will be very eager to find their form at Anfield and get back to winning ways.

Iraola hoping for ‘good news soon’ in transfer market

Liverpool’s new boss said on Thursday it is no secret the club are in the hunt for more wingers after reports that the Reds are edging closer to a deal for Barcola.

Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as potential recruits to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.

“We cannot talk about players that right now are not ours, but it is evident that we are trying to improve or try to fill that position because we don’t have the numbers,” Iraola told a pre-match news conference ahead of his home debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

“I hope we have good news soon but we are still not there.”

The arrival of French international Barcola could lead to Cody Gakpo’s exit from Anfield.

The Dutchman, who scored in Iraola’s first match in charge in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle last weekend, is reportedly a target for Manchester City and Tottenham.

“When the market is open, you cannot guarantee anything with anyone. You never know who’s going to arrive,” Iraola added when asked about Gakpo’s future.

“I would like to know how the market finishes but I don’t know what will happen with any of our players. I cannot guarantee anything.”

‘I’m no magician’: Glasner already feeling the heat

The Austrian expressed frustration with the recruitment situation at his new club after their second defeat to Leeds, saying that Forest had “ignored reality” after losing at home to Leeds for the second time in a matter of days.

“The fact is that this team had a relegation battle for nine months. Very turbulent season and it ended with a huge effort to stay in the league, and this is our starting point,” he said.

“It’s really very important not to blame anybody because sometimes I tell them facts and they say, ‘Oh, Glasner is complaining’.

“No, no, no. But [our] best midfielder [Elliot Anderson] leaves the club and now we expect we compete for European places because Oliver Glasner is in. Sorry, this is what I can’t deliver within six weeks.

“I’m no magician, no messiah, just hard work. That is what we have to do.”

Glasner should at least be pleased that Forest broke the club’s transfer record on Thursday to sign the talented, but out-of-favour young striker Liam Delap from Chelsea for a reported 45 million pounds ($61m).

Prediction

The Opta supercomputer has made Liverpool the favourites, with a win probability of 61.1 percent. Forest were given a 18.2 percent chance of winning, while a draw was estimated at a 20.7 percent likelihood.

Head-to-head

They have faced each other 124 times; Liverpool winning 61, Forest 33 and 30 draws.

Last five encounters:

• February 22, 2026: Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
• November 22, 2025: Liverpool 0-3 Forest (Premier League)
• January 14, 2025: Forest 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
• September 14, 2024: Liverpool 0-1 Forest (Premier League)
• March 02, 2024: Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)

What happened when Liverpool and Forest last played?

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister struck the winner deep into stoppage-time as his side snatched a scarcely-deserved 1-0 win at Forest in the Premier League in February.

After a pedestrian 90 minutes in which they barely managed a shot on target, Mac Allister lit the fuse with a stoppage-time effort that was ruled out for handball before rifling home a rebound in the 97th minute to grab the win.

Liverpool’s team news

The Reds are missing a number of long-term casualties, including forward Hugo Ekitike, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, as well as right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who have knee issues.

Defender Joe Gomez remains sidelined due to a muscle injury.

Alexander Isak is again likely to play at centre forward, with Florian Wirtz playing behind him in the number 10 role. Cody Gakpo is set to play on the left wing, despite reported interest from other clubs.

Victor Munoz impressed when he came off the bench against Newcastle, and may start out on the right wing in place of Rio Ngumoha.

Predicted starting XI:

Alisson (goalkeeper); Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Forest’s team news

Defender Nicolo Savona has been ruled out after a setback in his return from a knee problem, while injured midfielder Ryan Yates is also set to miss out.

Full-back Neco Williams and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White are both doubts due to knocks, although Forest are hopeful that both key players will be fit in time.

Predicted starting XI:

Sels (goalkeeper); Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, McAtee, Sangare, Netz; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Jesus