Greg . 2 days ago

Football Tracker: Man City begin Premier League campaign at Wolves, Barcelona up later

The new season is back, and that means the return of the Football Tracker! Betopick is here to keep you informed with all the newest news, results and scores from around Europe's biggest and best leagues.

Saturday, August 16th18:04 CET - Tottenham have made an excellent start to life under Thomas Frank in the Premier League, with a stunning brace from Richarlison assisting them to a convincing 3-0 victory over Burnley.

Tottenham vs Burnley match statsOpta by StatsPerformElsewhere in the English top flight, Sunderland have enjoyed a aspiration afternoon, thrashing West Ham 3-0 at the Stadium of Light, while Rodrigo Muniz's 96th-minute strike salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw for Fulham at Brighton.

Sunderland vs West Ham match statsOpta by StatsPerformBrighton vs Fulham match statsOpta by StatsPerform17:50 CET - Half-time in Ligue 1 between Lens and Lyon, and it's the visitors who hold a slender 1-0 lead thanks to Georges Mikautadze's neat finish in first-half stoppage time.

 Follow the second half with Betopick here.

First-half statsOpta by StatsPerform17:34 CET - The goals are certainly flowing in the Premier League now! Brennan Johnson has added a third for Tottenham at home to newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland are two to the good against West Ham thanks to a Dan Ballard header.

Ballard's goal sequenceEd Sykes / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP17:28 CET - Sunderland have a goal on their Premier League return, and it's Eliezer Mayenda with the finish, heading home into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Mayenda's goal sequenceEd Sykes / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFPMeanwhile, Tottenham have doubled their lead against Burnley, with Richarlison scoring his second of the afternoon courtesy of a superb acrobatic finish.

17:22 CET - The team news is out for this evening's Premier League clash between Wolves and Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola hands starts to new signings James Trafford, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders.

Follow the match from 18:30 CET here.

Team lineupsBetopick17:14 CET - Brighton have taken the lead against Fulham, with Matt O'Riley confidently converting from the spot after Georginio Rutter was fouled in the area.

 Interestingly, the Seagulls have avoided defeat in their last 14 matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 1-2 defeat to Liverpool on 2nd November 2024.

17:05 CET - We're now back underway in all three of this afternoon's Premier League matches.

Here's hoping for a little more excitement in the second half!16:47 CET - It's fair to say it hasn't been the most thrilling afternoon of Premier League action yet, with Brighton vs Fulham and Sunderland vs West Ham, goalless.

Brighton vs Fulham first-half statsOpta by StatsPerformSunderland vs West Ham first-half statsOpta by StatsPerformSpurs meanwhile are heading into the break 1-0 up after a fairly comfortable opening 45 minutes, although Burnley were able to apply some pressure as the half went on.

The visitors weren't able to create any major chances though, so Frank will be fairly happy with his side.

Tottenham vs Burnley first-half statsOpta by StatsPerform16:22 CET - Lens and Lyon will get their Ligue 1 campaigns started in just over 30 minutes, and here's how they'll line up for their clash:Lens vs Lyon starting XIBetopick16:11 CET - Tottenham get off to the perfect start! New signing Mohammed Kudus gets to the byline and sends in a great cross, and Richarlison is there to turn it in!Richarlison has now scored four goals in 12 appearances in the Premier League against Burnley.

Richarlison's goalOpta by StatsPerform / Jose Breton / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP15:52 CET - Hamburg and Bochum have both narrowly avoided upsets in the cup, stepping up in extra-time to win 2-1 and 3-1 respectively.

15:43 CET - Premier League new boys Sunderland have had one of the most interesting windows of the summer, and marquee signings Granit Xhaka and Simon Adringa have both gone straight into the starting XI for their clash with West Ham.

Sunderland vs West Ham starting XIBetopick15:23 CET - The first Saturday of the Premier League season has started with a goalless draw, with Aston Villa holding on to snatch a point against a Newcastle side that played well but just couldn't deliver in the final third without Alexander Isak.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle momentum graphOpta by StatsPerform15:09 CET - The lineups are out for the Premier League's afternoon kick-offs, with Thomas Frank looking to pick up his first competitive win as Tottenham manager against newly-promoted Burnley after losing the UEFA Super Cup on penalties in midweek.

Tottenham vs Burnley starting XIsBetopick15:01 CET - The first two DFB Pokal matches of the day are going the distance, with Bundesliga sides Bochum and Hamburg getting late equalisers against underdogs BFC Dynamo and Pirmasens.

14:54 CET - Aston Villa go down to 10 men! Ezri Konsa has been shown a red card for pulling Gordon down with the forward through on goal.

14:43 CET - Villa have looked much better in the opening stages of the second half, controlling possession and having their first effort on goal.

14:28 CET - This is the first time that Aston Villa have failed to have a single shot in the first half of a Premier League match since March of 2022.

14:17 CET - That's that for the first half at Vila Park, and the hosts will be relieved to be going into the break level.

You can't help but wonder whether things would be goalless if Newcastle had Isak in their ranks.

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The first-half statsOpta by StatsPerform14:05 CET - The visitors are absolutely dominating this match - 40% of the action has been in Villa's final third in the last 15 minutes.

The action areas in the last 15 minutesOpta by StatsPerform13:42 CET - Newcastle have come flying out of the blocks, with Anthony Elanga being denied by an excellent save from Marco Bizot and Anthony Gordon heading another good opportunity over the bar.

13:35 CET - The first Saturday of the 25/26 Premier League season is underway!We'll be bringing you regular updates here, and you can follow every kick of the match at our match centre.

12:42 CET - It's been a contrasting tale of two strikers this summer for Villa and Newcastle.

While the Magpies are struggling to keep hold of Isak, the Birmingham side have been able to hold on to Ollie Watkins despite interest from Manchester United.

How important could that be today? Well, Watkins has scored (four) or assisted (three) seven of Villa's last nine goals against Newcastle, who have failed to win any of the last five matches that they've played without Isak.

12:30 CET - The lineups are in for Aston Villa vs Newcastle, and with both sides not signing as many players as they would have liked thus far this summer, both starting XIs have familiar looks to them, with Marco Bizot - in for the suspended Emi Martinez - and Anthony Elanga the only new faces.

New boys Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw are on the bench for Newcastle, while Anthony Gordon starts up top with Alexander Isak refusing to play as he tries to force a transfer to Liverpool.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle starting XIsBetopick09:30 CET - Good morning and welcome back to our Football Tracker on what promises to be a thrilling day of action across several of Europe’s top leagues!First up in the Premier League at 13:30 CET, Aston Villa host Newcastle in an intriguing clash between two sides who will be targeting a top-five finish this season.

Later on, Manchester City travel to Wolves in the Premier League's evening kick-off at 18:30 CET, while Barcelona, Tottenham and Monaco get their domestic campaigns underway.

The German Super Cup also takes place this evening at 20:30 CET, with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich taking on DFB-Pokal winners Stuttgart.

Here are today’s standout matches: Aston Villa vs Newcastle - 13:30 CETTottenham vs Burnley - 16:00 CETWolves vs Manchester City - 18:30 CETMonaco vs Le Havre - 19:00 CETMallorca vs Barcelona - 19:30 CETStuttgart vs Bayern Munich - 20:30 CETValencia vs Real Sociedad - 21:30 CETFriday, August 15th23:26 CET - In the final match of the evening, Villarreal eased to a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Real Oviedo, who went down to 10 men after just 27 minutes.

No problem at all for the Yellow Submarine in their opening LaLiga game.

Some heartwarming scenes towards the end for the away side, though, as 40-year-old Santi Cazorla came on to make his LaLiga debut for his boyhood club.

22:58 CET - Phew, what a game to start the Premier League season, as Liverpool clinch a thrilling 4-2 win against Bournemouth.

The defending champions led 2-0 after Hugo Ekitike scored on his debut, but they always looked shaky at the back.

Antoine Semenyo bagged a quick-fire brace as Bournemouth got back into it, but a pair of late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah proved to be enough.

Three points for Liverpool, but question marks over their defence.

Match statsStatsperform22:55 CET - Game, set and match, Liverpool! Mohamed Salah with some brilliant individual play, and he thumps into the bottom corner brilliantly.

22:50 CET - Federico Chiesa the super sub! After just being brought on by Arne Slot, the Italian has struck home to put Liverpool back 3-2 up against Bournemouth, and they are minutes away from an opening match victory.

22:44 CET - Rennes have got their Ligue 1 campaign off to a brilliant start with an incredible 1-0 win against Marseille, scoring a last-minute winner despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men.

Roberto de Zerbi won't be too pleased.

22:38 CET - Would you believe it, Antoine Semenyo has done it again! An electric counterattack from one end of the pitch to the other, and from 2-0 down, Bournemouth are now level at 2-2! Liverpool are shellshocked!Meanwhile, Rennes, who played 60 minutes with 10 men, have snatched a stunning last-minute goal, and have surely stolen a 1-0 win against Marseille.

22:24 CET - Bournemouth aren't out of this yet, with Antoine Semenyo pulling one back for the away side.

Still plenty of life left in this one!22:09 CET - Liverpool are turning on the style as they take a 2-0 lead over Bournemouth.

Hugo Ekitike turns provider to tee up Cody Gakpo, who dribbles along the edge of the box to find space and slot home a finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool - Bournemouth momentumOpta by StatsPerform22:06 CET - Double trouble at La Ceramica as Pape Gueye puts Villarreal two goals to the good against Real Oviedo after some good work from former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

It's not looking good for the LaLiga new boys as they have failed to win any of their last 14 matches when conceding first in the top division, since a victory over Malaga in December 2000.

21:59 CET - Over to LaLiga, where Villarreal have the advantage in more ways than one over Real Oviedo.

Etta Eyong has opened the scoring for the hosts in the 29th minute, whilst Oviedo find themselves down to 10 - Alberto Reina picking up two yellows in the space of eight minutes for an early bath.

21:50 CET - A first goal in the red of Liverpool from Hugo Ekitike has put the Reds a goal to the good at the break against Bournemouth.

It hasn't been vintage Liverpool under Arne Slot, but the Dutchman will be happy to see his four league debutants bedding in well.

Liverpool haven't lost any of their last 155 Premier League games at Anfield in which they've led at half time (W141 D14), with Arsenal in December 2009 the last time to come back and win after trailing at the break (2-1).

Follow the second half with us right here.

Liverpool - Bournemouth match statsOpta by StatsPerform21:39 CET - The Premier League champions are ahead! Liverpool lead Bournemouth 1-0 in the 37th minute after a composed finish from Hugo Ekitike.

He pays tribute to Diogo Jota with his celebration as the Reds are up and running for their title defence.

21:37 CET - Half-time in Ligue 1, where Rennes are holding Marseille at the break.

However, it will be a difficult task for the rest of the game after Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal was given a straight red in the 31st minute.

Follow the second half here.

21:04 CET - All over in Catalonia, where Rayo Vallecano got off to a aspiration start in LaLiga with a 3-1 victory over Girona.

Check out the full report now.

Girona - Rayo Vallecano match statsOpta by StatsPerform21:00 CET - A stunning display in the Kop rests over the shoulders of Liverpool's players as Anfield pays tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically passed away in the summer.

Now, attention to the pitch as the Premier League champions get underway against Bournemouth.

Listen to it live now.

20:43 CET - Lineups are in for our second LaLiga game of the season as Villarreal take on newly-promoted Real Oviedo.

New signing Thomas Partey is on the bench for the home side, whilst Oviedo legend and veteran Santi Carzola makes his return to his former side, he's on the bench for the clash that gets going at 21:30 CET.

Follow it right here.

Villarreal - Real Oviedo lineupsBetopick20:35 CET - Let's have a quick check-in on the DFB Pokal, where Bayer Leverkusen have started life under Erik ten Hag with a 4-0 win over third-division side Grossaspach - a game that had a near 40-minute delay after a torrential downpour.

Goals from Patrik Schick, Arthur, Christian Michel Kofane and Alex Grimaldo saw them into the next round.

20:23 CET - The 10 men of Girona have a goal back against Rayo Vallecano, with Joel Roca netting his first goal for the club against Rayo Vallecano.

A lovely moment for the 20-year-old Spaniard, but his side still trail by two with roughly 30 minutes to play.

20:12 CET - Another league getting started tonight is Ligue 1.

Marseille travel to Rennes for the curtain raiser, and, interestingly, they have four English players in their starting lineup.

Follow the game with Betopick.

Rennes - Marseille lineupsBetopick20:00 CET - Just an hour to go until the Premier League season kicks off as reigning champions Liverpool take on Bournemouth at Anfield.

Premier League: Liverpool - Bournemouth (clip preview)BetopickThe Reds have four league debutants in their XI, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike all starting tonight.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth, who do not have good memories on Merseyside, see Djordje Petrovic start between the sticks as he looks for a first clean sheet with the Cherries.

Liverpool - Bournemouth lineupsBetopickListen to the game live with Betopick from 20:55 CET.

19:55 CET - It's been a nightmare beginning to the LaLiga season for Girona, which has only got worse against Rayo Vallecano.

The Catalan side find themselves 3-0 down at the break and down to 10 men - goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga given his marching orders in the 43rd minute.

Isi Palazon netted a spot-kick just before the break to see his lead handsomely as the players head down the tunnel.

Follow the second half here.

First half statsOpta by StatsPerform19:24 CET - What a start to the season for Rayo Vallecano! They find themselves two to the good at Girona midway through the first half, thanks to goals from Jorge de Frutos and Alvaro Garcia.

18:56 CET - The first match of the weekend is just minutes away, with Girona taking on Rayo Vallecano in the LaLiga season opener.

Follow the meeting live with Betopick!18:00 CET - Welcome back to the first Football Tracker of the new season this Friday evening! The fun starts all over again, and this weekend already has so much to look forward to!First up in an hour, Girona host Rayo Vallecano as the curtain raises on the LaLiga season, which is followed at 21:30 CET by newly-promoted Real Oviedo's trip to Villarreal.

In Ligue 1 at 20:45 CET, Marseille will be hoping to start their season well and put up more of a fight at the top of the table when they visit Rennes.

And at 21:00 CET, the Premier League makes its highly anticipated return, with defending champions Liverpool facing Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth.

 What a way to kick off proceedings!