Match-by-match facts and statistics ahead of the first round of Premier League fixtures from Aug. 13-15 (all times EST).
Friday, Aug. 13
Brentford v Arsenal (3:00 p.m.)
* Brentford will be the 50th different team to play in the Premier League, and the 10th from London.
Two years ago, Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be taken off in the closing minutes of a Carabao Cup match when coach Mauricio Sarri wanted to bring on Willy Caballero for penalty kicks before losing to Manchester City. On Wednesday, it was Kepa brought on in the closing minutes, and this time he came off as a winner.
The new Champions League intro video has been released and USMNT fans will be happy to know Christian Pulisic made the final cut. Pulisic’s grand cameo comes in at the end of the video with the Chelsea trophy lift.
New UCL *Updated* Intro [@truthseeker_9] #CFC pic.twitter.com/MoVTmcxy05
There's no doubt that footballers create a special connection with each other since there's such a strong bond between two people that understand the game and everything it entails. It's no secret that many professional women’s players are dating teammates or even opponents. The most recent rumored couple that had fans wondering if they're official or not was the relationship status between Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis.
Zack Steffen did his best to keep Manchester City in its Community Shield match with Leicester City, but he couldn’t quite do enough. Kelechi Iheanacho converted on an 89th-minute penalty kick to finally find a way past the American goalkeeper as the Foxes won their second Community Shield title on Saturday, the first coming in 1971.
Steffen made four saves, including one that was arguably the play of the game, but could only get his fingertips to Iheanacho’s well-struck penalty in the closing minutes.
LONDON - Leicester City will be seeking a center back after French defender Wesley Fofana broke his leg in a friendly against Europa League winners Villarreal, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday.
Rodgers told reporters the injury, after a 'horrendous' challenge, was a major blow for the club only 10 days before the start of the Premier League season.
"He fractured his fibula and we are devastated for him," said Rodgers. "He's a top-class player so he's going to be a huge loss for us.”
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
LISBON - Former Germany and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack's 18-year-old son Emilio died in a quad-bike accident near Lisbon on Thursday, Setubal's emergency services said.
A spokesperson for the emergency operations told Reuters Emilio died at 2:17 a.m. in the holiday destination Troia, south of Lisbon. The 18-year-old was involved in a four-wheel crash.
With one swift kick and a mighty finish, Norwich City has us ready for the Premier League to kick off already. Even though fans have had plenty of international soccer to enjoy recently, the August 13 start date of the EPL could not come any sooner.
This incredible Todd Cantwell assist was set up after the midfielder received a pass shortly after making his way into the 18 (eyy). With a defender pressing him from behind, in two quick taps and a moment of sheer brilliance, he launched the ball over his body with a bicycle kick and across the goal for a near-perfect one-timer.
The long-awaited announcement is imminent: Jack Grealish will complete a transfer to Manchester City. Grealish’s reported $140 million price tag makes him one of the most expensive English players ever.
The biggest deal in English football is effectively done. Jack Grealish is on his way to Manchester, ahead of a medical tomorrow morning. Everything else is completed, he will now become the first £100m English player.
Players from all 20 Premier League clubs will continue to take the knee ahead of games this season to highlight their opposition to racism, the league said on Tuesday.
The Premier League said it "wholeheartedly supported" the decision, adding that players and match officials will continue to wear a No Room For Racism badge on their shirts.
Players and staff have been taking a knee prior to kickoff since the league returned to action in June last year to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.