English Premier
2025-08-16 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 16th August 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou stated he 'always' wins trophies in his second season at a football club and winning the Europa League in May justified that remark. However, it was not enough for him to hold onto the Tottenham Hotspur job and Thomas Frank may have impressed some of the fans in the way the team performed in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
There is a feeling that Thomas Frank will organise Tottenham Hotspur much more effectively compared with his predecessor and it looked like the team were going to win more silverware when leading Paris Saint-Germain by two goals and with 84 minutes on the clock. It was not to be for Spurs who were pegged back and then beaten on Penalties in the Super Cup, but the overall performance in Udinese will have offered plenty of signs of the improvements that are expected in the months ahead.
Tottenham Hotspur had plenty of European success in the final months of the season, culminating in the Europa League Final success in May, but they have not won any of their last 7 Premier League games. The losses piled up with 6 of those ending in defeats and ultimately cost Ange Postecoglou his job. The side have lost their last 3 home Premier League games.
Yves Bissouma fell foul of the rules set out by the new manager and may be punished by missing the opening Premier League game. Dominic Solanke was back in action on Wednesday, but may have to settle for a place on the bench again, while Destiny Udogie is a doubt.
Burnley
Scott Parker has plenty of experience of guiding teams out of the Championship and into the top flight and he was able to lead Burnley back in the Premier League at the first time of asking. The second tier has been one that Parker has not had too many issues with, but the manager has to show he can find the right tactics and motivation at the higher level having come up short in his time with Fulham and Bournemouth previously.
Like Leeds United, Burnley cracked 100 points last season, but they did things very differently in the second tier. Scott Parker's team only conceded 16 goals in 42 games, but they have lost James Trafford to Manchester City. The investment made in the summer has been a mix of experience and potential and Burnley need to find consistent sources for goals if they are going to survive and overcome odds on quotes for relegation.
Burnley are unbeaten in 12 games since losing in the FA Cup and they won their last 5 fixtures to conclude the 2024/25 season. The side are unbeaten in 6 away games in all competitions and they have won 5 of those matches, but the step up is considerable and will be challenging for Burnley. Two seasons ago, Burnley lost 11 of the first 13 Premier League games and they need to make a much faster start if they are going to build the confidence of the squad to compete in the Division.
Martin Dubravka has been signed from Newcastle United, but may not be ready for this opening fixture. Connor Roberts is hoping to be involved, while other new signings like Kyle Walker and Marcus Edwards are hoping to make their competitive debuts.
Head to Head
Tottenham Hotspur did the Premier League double over Burnley and also beat them in the FA Cup when these teams were playing in the same Division two seasons ago.
Spurs have won 6 in a row at home against this opponent.
Prediction
There was plenty to like about Tottenham Hotspur and the performance in the UEFA Super Cup and you could see the early impact Thomas Frank has made on the squad.
Despite some of the injuries, Tottenham Hotspur used some of the set pieces and directness that Frank had inspired at Brentford and that really gave Paris Saint-Germain some real problems.
It led to two goals, although Tottenham Hotspur showed some of the defensive vulnerabilities that had held them back under the previous manager. They were solid for much of the UEFA Super Cup, but Spurs cracked under the pressure and two late goals were conceded before the Penalty Shoot Out defeat.
The side ended the season in poor form in the Premier League, but they can build on the overall performance against the Champions League Winners.
Opening up the campaign against a newly promoted club should mean Spurs have an edge, even if Burnley are coming up with some confidence.
However, Scott Parker and his team will have to find a stronger balance between the obvious defensive qualities shown and the attacking threat that was perhaps not as strong as hoped in the second tier. Stepping up to the Premier League will be a tough challenge and Parker's style was criticised last season, despite the wins that had been earned, and the manager has yet to show he can get to grips with the top flight in previous attempts.
A Tottenham Hotspur team that is likely to be more organised under Thomas Frank should be able to largely contain what is thrown at them.
In recent years they have tended to get the better of Burnley when they have travelled down to North London and Tottenham Hotspur can find a way to the three points.
Last season was such a disappointment for Tottenham Hotspur who lost home games against Ipswich Town and Leicester City, but they did beat Southampton with a clean sheet and that could be the case on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 season against Burnley.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Burnley
