Man who died after motorbike crash was 'kind soul'
Police say devoted family man Bernard Payne had a medical episode before falling from his motorbike.
Women's T20 Blast: Leaders Surrey thump Lancashire
Women's T20 Blast leaders Surrey thrashed Lancashire at the Oval and the Bears are back in second place with a win over Essex.
Newcastle's attempts to sign Burnley's English goalkeeper James Trafford, 22, could be held up, as their own English stopper Nick Pope, 33, does not want to leave despite interest from Leeds. (TBR Football), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist
All three newly promoted sides now know who they will face in the opening round of fixtures for the upcoming season.
Two of those three have landed home games, with Sunderland hosting West Ham United and Leeds United taking on Everton.
Burnley begin on the road with a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Matchday one has often been a reality check for clubs finding their feet in the top flight. Throughout the entirety of the Premier League era, promoted teams have collectively won just 17 times from 92 matches (excluding three occasions on which they have faced each other) – a success rate of only 18.5%.
They have also conceded nearly twice as many goals as they have scored.
Which of Sunderland, Leeds or Burnley are most likely to buck that trend in 2025-26?
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 2025-26 Premier League fixtures are official - so we asked how you feel the schedule has fallen and where you think Burnley will be after the first 10 games.
Here are some of your replies:
Graham: I had hoped we would get a home match against a 'local' team to start, but away against Spurs gives some hope. I think we will get a draw there and if we manage to retain the core of last season's team, particularly the defensive unit, we could have 10 points from the first 10 matches.
David: If we are unbeaten after 10 games, that'll be a miracle. We certainly need to buy some strikers for our first season back in the Premier League though. UTC.
Dave: Providing that we don't sell half of this team that got us back up, I think we should be able to hold our own. There is a lot of confidence in this team, we just need to add a proven goalscorer. Sorry Danny Ings -you were good in your day but we need someone younger with ambition. Get rid of Mike Tresor as he clearly does not want to play the beautiful game, along with the 'Nobody has heard of...' brigade that Vincent Kompany left us with.
Thomas: I was hoping for a kinder start to the season. I think we will be in the bottom three after 10 games.
Opta has ranked the difficulty of each top-flight team's first five Premier League fixtures of the 2025-26 season.
According to Opta's model, Manchester United have the hardest start, followed by their opening-weekend opponents Arsenal and then Bournemouth.
Aston Villa's first five games have been ranked the easiest, alongside Crystal Palace.
Take a look below to see where your side places...
Aside from the opening weekend and the final fixture of the season, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.
Preston North End are battling with Millwall for the signature of Aston Villa goalkeeper Filip Marschall, 23, after Norwich City reportedly pulled out of the race. (Lancashire Post), external
Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesThe PFA awards have announced a shortlist of six for their Championship Players' Player of the Year award, with promoted Burnley and Leeds United each receiving two nominations.
Clarets captain Josh Brownhill and goalkeeper James Trafford are both up for the prize, while Leeds forward Dan James and midfielder Ao Tanaka are also on the list.
The remaining two nominations have gone to Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer and Norwich City forward Borja Sainz.
The winner will be announced on 19 August at Manchester's Opera House.
Image source, Getty ImagesScott Parker and his Burnley squad will have their eyes on 13 September and 17 January, when they are currently due to face defending champions Liverpool - with the Turf Moor meeting first up.
In terms of the Manchester clubs, the short trip to Old Trafford to face United is on the weekend of 30-31 August, with the Clarets hosting the Red Devils in early January. Meanwhile, the game against City at Etihad Stadium comes first on the weekend of 27-28 September, while Pep Guardiola's side will come to Turf Moor towards the end of April.
And what about the schedule over Christmas and New Year? Well, Burnley's four festive fixtures include home matches against Everton and Newcastle, plus trips south to face Brighton and Bournemouth.
Finally, the Clarets will close their campaign by hosting Wolves on Sunday, 24 May 2026 - when all 10 matches will kick off at 16:00 BST.
All times BST
Burnley will travel to Tottenham in their opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The match will take place on Saturday, 16 August at 15:00 BST, with the Clarets' first home fixture against fellow promoted side Sunderland on the weekend of 23-24 August.
