Summary

  • All the big Fantasy Premier League talking points and team news before gameweek one - this week's fixtures

  • This week's deadline is 18:30 BST on Friday

  • Send your questions in for FPL expert Pras - click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page

  • Pras is an FPL veteran, having finished in the top 100k in each of the past 12 seasons - and achieved a 4,184th finish last season

  • Gomez a doubt for Liverpool, Rodri and Foden possible for Man City? Here are all the doubts and absences

  • Who is your captain this week? Which are the best one-week punts to win your mini league?

  • Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

Live Reporting

Written by Emma Smith, Josh Lobley, Ijeoma Osadebe & FPL expert Pras.

  1. Very honest stuff from Eddie Howe.

    Don't forget we will also be hearing from the Newcastle boss at his presser from 0930. Will be fascinating to hear what he says.

  2. 'Morale has been affected'

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on keeping the team together: "The noise itself doesn't exist unless you open yourself up to it. You are aware of the tone around our summer but we haven't felt a lot of the feelings that have been published."

    "Internally it has been about our training but there has been negativity around our summer that we've had to try and repel otherwise it can bring the mood of the squad down and there's no need for that. Yes there has been stressful moments but we've got a lot of the same players and we've been extremely successful for a long time."

    "I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that - it was always going to be there.

    "Whatever situation you're in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I've got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."

  3. Isak situation 'not healthy'

    Newcastle United

    Alexander IsakGetty Images

    Eddie Howe on speculation around Alexander Isak: "I don't think it's been healthy for us, I don't deny that's been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world - if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap."

    "When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react."

    "As time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought."

  4. Howe on 'stressful' summer so far

    Newcastle United

    Eddie HoweGetty Images

    Eddie Howe speaking to the BBC's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly: "It’s been a stressful summer. [It was] not ideal going in to it in the way that we did with no CEO and no sporting director and it has become an unusual dynamic for us. We’ve just tried to make the best of the situation."

    "We’ve been linked with a lot of players as we always are, we’ve landed some and missed some others. We are very pleased with the players that we have signed and I think the squad is in a better place now for the couple of new additions we have made."

    "I think it just breeds confidence within the squad that we are going to be strong enough and resilient enough for a long campaign."

  5. Eddie Howe speaks

    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is one of the first managers to speak today - but we already have a couple of interesting tit-bits from the Newcastle boss thanks to my colleague Ciaran Kelly.

    Best bits coming right up.

    Eddie Howe at a news conferenceGetty Images

  6. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page

    I really don’t want to be talking to myself this morning, so why not join the chat?

    There’s a nice little yellow button marked ‘Get Involved’ at the top of this feed. Click on that to have your say as the Premier League returns — it’s that easy.

    Be nice, though. And no swearing — there are children present.

  7. Premier League fixtures

    Here is the opening weekend line-up:

    (all times BST)

    Friday

    • Liverpool v Bournemouth (20:00)

    Saturday

    • Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)
    • Brighton v Fulham
    • Sunderland v West Ham
    • Tottenham v Burnley
    • Wolves v Manchester City (17:30)

    Sunday

    • Chelsea v Crystal Palace (14:00)
    • Nott'm Forest v Brentford (14:00)
    • Manchester United v Arsenal (16:30)

    Monday

    • Leeds v Everton (20:00)

  8. Today's agenda

    Here’s what we’ve got coming up today:

    As usual, there’s a sprinkling of managers in the morning before things really kick off after lunch. All times are approximate (sometimes managers run late — don’t blame us!).

    (all times BST)

    0900: Brighton/Newcastle/Tottenham

    0930: Chelsea

    1300: Wolves

    1315: Leeds/Man Utd

    1330: Arsenal/Nott'm Forest/Man City/Everton/Aston Villa/Crystal Palace

  9. Yes, the Premier League is back.

    Welcome to the first Friday presser live page of the new season.

    We’ll hear from 12 managers throughout the day as they preview their opening matches.

    Of course, actual football won’t be the only topic discussed. Stick around for their reactions to the latest transfer news, with just over two weeks remaining in the window.

  10. Well, hello there.

    The Premier League trophyGetty Images