Tonight's Football — Aug 22

Udinese and Como drew 1-1 in Serie A, with Hassane Kamara opening the scoring before A. Douvikas equalised after half-time. Como controlled possession and created more shots, but Udinese’s higher expected-goals figure underlined the balance of the contest.

[p]Lens overcame Auxerre 5-2 by combining efficient finishing with a strong response after the visitors scored twice in the second half. Thauvin’s two penalties, Ivanovic’s standout performance and Auxerre’s first-half red card shaped a result in which Lens created the clearer chances despite having less possession.[/p]

[p]Sevilla beat Athletic Club 3-1 after Oso scored shortly after Yuri Berchiche’s red card, with C. Ejuke and I. Romero later extending the advantage. Athletic Club dominated possession but produced only two shots, and A. Paredes’ second-half goal was not enough to change the outcome.[/p]

[p]Everton defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 after Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring late in the first half and Barry added a second shortly after the restart. Palace had more possession and the higher expected-goals figure, but Everton created more shots, defended effectively and converted the moments that decided the match.[/p]

[p]Leeds left the City Ground with a 1-0 win after A. Stach scored two minutes before the end of normal time. The balanced possession, shot totals and low expected-goals figures showed how finely poised the match was, but Leeds’ late finish proved decisive.[/p]

[p]Ipswich defeated Sunderland 2-1 after Emersonn opened the scoring, Angulo equalised before half-time and Clarke struck in the 90th minute. Sunderland dominated possession and produced more attempts, but Ipswich created clearer chances and finished the match with the winning goal.[/p]

[p]Hull City’s 2-0 victory was built on Ajayi and Mendy scoring before half-time, followed by a disciplined defensive display. Manchester United dominated possession, passing and total shots, but Tzolakis and the Hull defence prevented that control from changing the result.[/p]

[p]Brentford enter with impressive recent scoring results, while Tottenham bring an unbeaten listed preparation into a fixture that has recently produced tight meetings at this venue. With no league form or confirmed formations available, the absences of B. Fredrick, S. van den Berg, W. Odobert and X. Simons, plus the doubts over M. Kudus and D. Kulusevski, add uncertainty to a match expected to finish level.[/p]

[p]Forest and Leeds enter the first round level on zero points, with neither side yet having a competitive form record. Leeds bring the more consistent preparation sequence, while Forest have home advantage, and the absences on both sides add further uncertainty before the lineups are confirmed.[/p]

[p]With no league form or confirmed formations available, the fixture is defined by uncertainty rather than a clear early favourite. Ipswich have home advantage, Sunderland arrive with three successive recorded wins, and the availability of A. Matusiwa, J. Taylor and S. Adingra could influence the final balance.[/p]

[p]Everton begin at home with the early table and historical meetings offering encouragement, but neither side has competitive form to provide a reliable performance measure. Team news gives Everton several midfield absences and leaves D. Henderson’s Palace involvement uncertain, making the confirmed lineups especially important before kick-off.[/p]

[p]This opening-round fixture offers no established league momentum, with Hull City and Manchester United both starting from zero points and no recorded goal difference. Absences on both sides and the absence of confirmed formations add uncertainty, making a balanced contest and a 1–1 draw the most plausible outcome.[/p]

[p]This is an early opportunity for both teams to set a direction in La Liga, with neither side carrying a meaningful league record into the fixture. Valencia have the benefit of Mestalla and the historical edge at home, while Celta’s unbeaten preparation and fewer recorded absences make them a credible threat.[/p]

[p]Sevilla have the better early league position and the only recorded victory, but Athletic Club have home advantage and a clean slate from which to begin their campaign. Defensive absences on both sides could make organisation decisive, with a draw the most likely outcome.[/p]

[p]Inter arrive with the stronger preparation results, but their suspension in midfield and Monza’s scoring form could make the opener competitive. With no league form or confirmed formations available, home advantage is the clearest factor favouring Inter in an anticipated 2-1 victory.[/p]

[p]Udinese and Como enter their first Serie A fixture with no league form to separate them, although Como have the better recent preparation record. Udinese’s home advantage will be tested by the absences of C. Kabasele and A. Zanoli, making a disciplined defensive performance central to their prospects.[/p]

[p]Lens have the home setting, encouraging preparation results and historical advantage, but their defensive availability issues give Auxerre an opportunity to test the hosts’ structure. With formations still unconfirmed, the key question is whether Lens can turn early initiative into goals without exposing the areas weakened by suspension and injury.[/p]