Use the 'watch & listen' tab for radio commentary or to watch Final Score (UK only)
Duran gives Aston Villa 2-1 win at West Ham
BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio London commentary available
FT: Arsenal beat Wolves 2-0
Semenyo levels in Bournemouth draw against Forest
Brighton thrash 10-man Everton
Schar dismissed but Newcastle beat Southampton
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Mark Warburton
Former Brentford and Nottingham Forest boss on BBC Radio 5 Live
Ipswich have got a great record here at home at Portman Road, it was a fortress for them last season. They scored a lot of late goals and had a real unity and resilience about the team.
Arne Slot will be very well aware of the threat they pose this afternoon.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Image source, BBC SportMartin Lambert, the Talking Town podcast
First and foremost a successful season for us is to stay in the Premier League. Survive [this year] and look where you can go in years two and three if you're lucky to stay in that long.
Kieran McKenna has got a style, a philosophy and has got ideas of what he wants to accomplish out of the game. Front-foot, energetic, entertaining football.
We have seen a little experiment in pre-season with a 3-5-2, that could be something he brings into games and looks to change. Or he could say, this is us, this is me, and how do you handle us? Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
It is a Saturday, the sun is shining, Premier League football is back at Portman Road and '90s bangers are being blasted out over the speakers - things don't get much better for Ipswich fans right now.
Image source, Getty ImagesIpswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
Image source, ReutersAs has been pointed out many times in the past few days, Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League yet to make a major signing.
Has that dampened the mood among fans at the start of the Arne Slot era?
"There is some tetchiness creeping in," Josh Sexton of The Anfield Wrap, external tells me.
"That's only been heightened by the reports Martin Zubimendi rejected Liverpool to stay at Real Sociedad. I can understand the tetchiness. I want to see that first signing come in because it will give us a hint of what the manager is trying to do."
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town winger Wes Burns says it is a "dream come true" to say he will be part of a squad that is competing in the Premier League, having signed for the Suffolk club three years ago.
"It is a really proud thing to have achieved," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"It is a dream come true to say I am part of a Premier League squad.
"I think it is everything to the club. It has an amazing history and it's been 22 years since we were in the top flight. It has been an incredible rise.
"I don't think anyone beyond their wildest imaginations would have thought it."
Burns has witnessed and been part of Ipswich's transformation in recent years and, with the club approaching the 2024-25 campaign with optimism, he paid tribute to their supporters.
"The fans have been through some hard times in recent years and credit to them," he added. "They have stuck by the club in dark times and they are getting everything they deserve now."
Image source, Getty ImagesIpswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
The sun is shining, the Portman Road playing surface looks immaculate and Ipswich Town are minutes under an hour from playing in the Premier League after a 22 year absence.
Ipswich fan John told me earlier: "It's like waking up on Christmas Day morning. I didn't sleep well at all."
John's son, Thomas, added: "It's good that we have made some good signings but the biggest signing of all is Kieran McKenna.
"I was worried he might go if Manchester United had come in for him."
The first Football Focus of the season is live now on BBC One and on iPlayer.
Build-up to the day's Premier League action is also under way on BBC Radio 5 live, who will have former Manchester United defender Phil Jones in the studio from 12:30 BST.
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826
Jack: I want to see Liverpool win to start the Slotball era off well but I would really like Ipswich to survive. I’d also like for Liverpool to make a signing this summer.
Jon: As a Liverpool fan, I'm actually insulted that Man Utd think they can get back to challenging the likes of us with their overrated youth and boring bargain bin 'sensible signings'. Surely in their position they should be splurging a 9 figure sum on a marquee signing, or at least bringing in former world class players who are now in their mid-30s?
Tom: Seeing Ipswich’s badge back in the Premier League feels so old school. I love it.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
Image source, PA MediaDon't forget Ipswich were playing in League One up until very recently. Their opening two league games of 2022-23 were against Bolton Wanderers and Forest Green Rovers. Their opening two games of 2024-25 are against Liverpool and Manchester City.
More than half of their starting XI played for them in the third tier of English football, including Ipswich-born academy graduate Luke Woolfenden.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
This will be the first time two managers (Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Liverpool’s Arne Slot) are taking charge of their first ever Premier League match in a game against each other since David Wagner’s Huddersfield beat Frank De Boer’s Crystal Palace 3-0 in August 2017.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
Liverpool fan Phil believes Arne Slot is "not in the slightest bit worried about the lack of signings" this summer.
While some supporters are concerned there have been no major incomings yet, Phil is staying positive.
"Jurgen Klopp has passed on a squad that is ready to be taken to the next level by Slot," he says.
"I think Arne is thinking 'I've died and gone to heaven inheriting these players'."
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Ian Kennedy
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport
Image source, BBC SportThink of that forward line. Finding three from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, and that midfield with players like Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch all vying for regular starts.
The club also has a host of young talent, many of whom got their chance last season, and surely will again.
Slot has huge shoes to fill but his quiet, smiling demeanour, not to mention his track record, suggests a man who knows what he is doing and will relish the challenge ahead.
That challenge includes the expectation that goes with the job. He inherits a side back in the Champions League and will obviously want to qualify again next season via league position. Top four yes, but the ambitions might be higher and Liverpool will want to be challenging for the title once again. A cup final or two might be on the agenda too.
Not the easiest start, away at a promoted side on day one, but victory at Ipswich might just get the wheels turning on a new era at Anfield.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
Above is Liverpool fan Fernando Moreira who lives in Ipswich and works for the council. He was outside Portman Road earlier in his Liverpool shirt to soak up the atmosphere before heading somewhere to watch the game on television as he has not been able to get a ticket.
"We are still together, we'll be fine," Fernando told me about Liverpool lack of signings this summer.
Cesc Fabregas
Former Spain midfielder on Planet Premier League
Image source, Getty ImagesCan they do it? Of course, they can do it in terms of the quality they've got. They have an outstanding team.
I still think Arsenal, as I said last year. And they came very, very close until the last game of the season. They will be the team to look out in the Premier League this year once again to fight with Manchester City.
Liverpool, I'm curious. Everyone talks so well about the new manager, and I really want to see what they're about this year if they can sign some top-level players to increase the quality of the squad.
At the moment I'm looking at these three teams. Then let's see how the how the season starts and if someone gets into the mix.
Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
I think when you have a good look at it and the business teams have done I think it's going to be a two-horse race.
There's so much mystery around Liverpool and Slot at the moment. I can only see it being between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to TNT Sports: "Definitely looking forward to it, but it is all about getting a result. The job is the same if you work in Holland or here, you want to prepare in the best possible way.
"Jurgen left the team in a really good way, full of energy and they always want to work hard. I do think the results were a bit better than the way we played, some wins were the play was not as good. I'm ery positive about how we have worked until now. It is good to see that the boys who came in two weeks ago came back really strong."
On how his style compares to Jurgen Klopp: "I don't think of that much. One of the reasons why I joined this club is that they wanted a coach to use the style I wanted to play. The club wanted someone similar to Jurgen and rightly becase they had a lot of success playing in this style. We are not the same people, so there may be some difference, but I am hoping and expecting many things will be the same.
On team selection: "[Ryan] Gravenberch starts in the 6 because he has the attributes to play there, he will develop into a 6. Him playing today will help Macca [Mac Allister] play more forward."
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Defender Joe Gomez is not in the Liverpool squad today.
There's rumours that he could be leaving the Reds, external during this transfer window.
Ipswich Town v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Ipswich Town
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna speaking to TNT Sports: "We're excited. It is a great occasion for the club first and foremost. The first game here in the Premier League in 22 years and we want to make the most of it."
On team selection: "It is the core of the group that we have had to be honest, ten of the starting team are making their first starts in the Premier League today. We have seven of the group that have been with us since League One, so it is a fantastic opportunity for those boys.
"We hare still in the process of integrating new signings, Liam [Delap] has come in to the team today and we have some players on the bench too that we think will improve us going forward."
On staying at the club amid interest: "I feel like I wanted to be here for sure, I wouldn't say I owed it but I wanted to be here. The club has been amazing with me offering me my first chance in management at 35 years old. We have been on an incredible journey. I wanted to be the one leading this team out in the Premier League this season, it feels like the right thing and the right place to be."
Image source, Getty ImagesNew season, new hopes in Fantasy Football.
Picked your team? You can join the BBC Sport League on the official Fantasy Premier League game using the code bbcfpl - or by clicking this link., external
You can also listen to the Fantasy 606 podcast each gameweek on BBC Sounds where Alistair Bruce-Ball, 'Statman Dave' and Chris Sutton discuss and debate all things FPL including the latest news from the BBC Sport League.
We will also be letting artificial intelligence have a go at playing fantasy football this season, using various generative AI tools to pick a team and make transfers throughout the season.
'AI FC' will be strutting their stuff in the BBC Sport League, so keep an eye on their progress and see if you can beat them.
Here is their first team...
Image source, .Ipswich v Liverpool (12:30 BST)
Neil Johnston
BBC Sport at Portman Road
What would Sir Bobby Robson have made of today?
There are reminders of the great man all around Portman Road with famous quotes from the manager who thrust Ipswich into the big time during his 13 years in charge between 1969 and 1982.
Sir Bobby, who masterminded Ipswich's 1980-81 Uefa Cup triumph as well as winning the 1978 FA Cup, also has a statue outside Portman Road.
He is not the only one.
So too does Sir Alf Ramsey, who was Ipswich boss before managing England to World Cup glory in 1966, and former England defender Kevin Beattie - widely considered by fans and former players of Ipswich to be the club's best-ever player.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, BBC Sport| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
West Ham have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Aston Villa (W6 D5), a 4-1 loss at Villa Park last season.
Aston Villa are winless in their last nine Premier League away games against West Ham (D5 L4), since a 2-1 victory at Upton Park in April 2011.
West Ham have lost on five of the six occasions they’ve begun a Premier League campaign against a side who finished in the previous season’s top four. The only exception was a 2-0 away win at Arsenal in 2015-16.
West Ham have won their opening Premier League match in just one of the last eight seasons (D1 L6), beating Newcastle 4-2 in 2021-22. Indeed, the Hammers have lost their opening game in the Premier League more often than any other side (15).
Aston Villa have lost their opening Premier League match in each of the last three seasons, conceding 10 goals in these games. They also lost the last time they faced West Ham in their first game, going down 1-0 at Upton Park in 2012-13.
West Ham have conceded at least once in each of their last 18 Premier League games – only once have they had a longer run without a clean sheet in the competition, going 24 games between March and November 2008.
Aston Villa failed to win any of their last four Premier League games in 2023-24 (D2 L2), their longest run without a win under Unai Emery. Indeed, the Spaniard last had a longer run without a league win between May and September 2021 with Villarreal (D4 L1).
This will be Julen Lopetegui’s first game in charge of West Ham. He won his first Premier League game in charge of Wolves (2-1 v Everton), while his last victory in the competition was a home game against Aston Villa (1-0 in May 2023).
West Ham’s new signing Crysencio Summerville was involved in 28 Championship goals last season for Leeds United (19 goals, 9 assists excluding play-offs). Only Southampton’s Adam Armstrong (34) and Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics (31) were involved in more.
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s highest ever Premier League goalscorer in games played in London, with 13 goals in the capital so far. He has 59 overall in the competition, behind only Gabriel Abgonlahor (74) and Dwight Yorke (60) for the Villans.
