Countdown to Kick Off 25/26

Rivalries, News & Locations

Author

nick lochner
August 05, 2025

Q: Can a heated rivalry be a friendly?

CS A: NO!

For the first time ever one of the biggest rivalries in the world, the North London Derby (wiki), was played outside of London. Arsenal and Tottenham traveled all the way to Hong Kong to play a “friendly” - a warmup match for the season that means nothing in any official standings, leagues or cups.

For fans of other sports, I ask you - would Packers-Bears (NFL) play in the preseason? Red Sox-Yankees (MLB)? Would UNC scrimmage against Duke (NCAA)? Carlton-Collingwood (Ausie Rules)? Would India-Pakistan (Cricket) just get together for a “hit and giggle”? The answer is no, a rivalry is a rivalry.

And…..North London begins the EPL season BLUE as Spurs beat Gunners 1-0.

Shots fired at the Gunners

Here’s a little more on Hong Kong (HK)…..

  • Hong Kong was a British colony from 1841-1997.

  • In 1997 HK was handed over to China as a Special Administrative Region - “one country, two systems” - allowing HK to maintain autonomy until 2047 when the agreement is set to end.

  • Japan invaded Hong Kong in 1941, at the same time as Pearl Harbor was bombed, and their invasion lasted until the end of WWII.

  • Today HK is known for its financial hub, shopping and night life.

  • In 2005 a Disneyland Resort was opened.

  • Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are from HK.

  • While 75% of HK is rural the city has been dubbed the world’s most “unaffordable city”.

Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

Kai Tak Stadium

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Quick News Items

  • Speaking of Spurs. Son Heung-min (Sonny), the South Korean National is heading to LAFC of MLS. A fan favorite who brought an entire SE Asian fanbase with him, Son spent 10 years at Spurs - 454 matches, 173 goals (second most in that window to Mo Salah), 101 assists, 1 golden boot (most PL goals), and ended his career with a Europa League Trophy.

  • “It looks like a bad injury”. Not what you want to hear from your manager Spurs fans. Star James Maddison was stretchered off the pitch in Spurs final warm-up match against Newcastle. Rumors are Spurs have already reached out to Man City for a loan for Jack Grealish (per Sports Mole via @deadlinedaylive).

  • EFL is Back. League 1 & 2 kicked off this last weekend. Because you have been a CS subscriber from year 1 you may remember Luton Town, the small club who could and made the PL 2 years ago have now been relegated twice and play this season in League 1 (Level 3) this season. They beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0.

  • Tom Brady hosts Ed Sheeran. The Championship kicks off this weekend with Birmingham City (Tom Brady’s club) hosts Ipswich Town (Ed Sheeran’s club) on Friday night. Both sides will be looking for a top 3 finish and promotion this season to the PL.

  • Welcome to the Championship Roby and Ryan. Wrexham play their first Championship (Level 2) match in 43 years as they travel to last season’s PL side Southampton on Saturday.

  • The Clash - Should I stay or should I go. Alexander Isak, one of Newcastle’s stars has been rumored to be moving. The 25 year old was left off the clubs roster on their tour of Asia with a “minor thigh injury”, but it seems there may have been more to it. Liverpool has been in pursuit and last week the Magpies rejected a $125M bid from the Reds for Isak. As the season approaches Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was not shy to share his opinion - “He’s like any other player, we would expect him to come in and train as normal” and “You have to earn the right to train with us.”

  • It’s Complicated. Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season qualifying them for the Europa League this season, how-ev-ah, because part of the Palace ownership group also owns another club (Lyon of Ligue 1 in France) who qualified for the Europa League they were moved down to the UEFA Conference League instead. Palace is appealing the decision yet in the meantime they have learned of their opponent in the ECL, either Fredrikstad (Norway) or Midtjylland (Denmark). Final decisions on the appeal are expected in the coming week.

  • Nothing Like Waiting to the Last Minute. Over the coming weeks expect a lot of player movement. In addition, expect clubs to be finalizing sponsorship deals to be decided upon.

The Clubs and They Play

CS Preview Issue will be coming out in the next couple days - in the meantime - here are the teams and their location.

The Stadiums

Size matters. Here’s the name, location and size of each stadium. A couple things to note.

  • Everton moves to their new stadium right on the water in Liverpool at Bramley Moore Dock.

  • A big stadium rejoins the PL as Sunderland play in the Stadium of Light, and this also brings a great Derby back into play - the Tyne-wear Derby or North East Derby - as neighbors Newcastle and Sunderland will play twice in the PL this season.

  • Elland Road is back on the rotation where Leeds have a great home pitch advantage.

  • The beauty of English Football comes to life at Turf Moor - as one of the oldest original pitches is back in the EPL, Burnley’s home ground has been in play continuously since 1883 (A favorite of the Clean Sheet).

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