Sports fans have been waiting all year for this moment, and the wait is finally over the English Premier League roars back to life this weekend.

The action begins on Friday night with a blockbuster opener as Liverpool welcome Bournemouth at Anfield (8:00 PM CAT).

Saturday brings a packed schedule, kicking off early with Aston Villa hosting Newcastle United, Tottenham facing Burnley, Brighton meeting Fulham, and Sunderland taking on West Ham United, before Wolverhampton Wanderers try to tame Manchester City.

On Sunday, Chelsea will host Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest will meet Brentford, but all eyes will be on Old Trafford later in the day for the heavyweight clash between Manchester United and Arsenal a fixture that could set the tone for both teams’ seasons.

The EPL drama wraps up on Monday night with Leeds United locking horns with Everton.

Across the border in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, Saturday, August 16, features Chicken Inn vs. Manica, GreenFuel vs. Herentals, MWOS vs. Simba Bhora, and Ngezi Platinum vs. Bikita Minerals.

On Sunday, August 17, CAPS United are expected to overpower Yadah, while Highlanders face a tricky home game against TelOne.

On the continental stage, the African Nations Championship brings high stakes, with Burkina Faso and Madagascar tipped for a draw, Tanzania favoured against Central Africa, Morocco likely to edge D.R. Congo, and Zambia predicted to narrowly beat Kenya.

In Spain’s La Liga, Friday night sees Girona take on Rayo Vallecano, followed by Villarreal expected to dominate newly promoted Real Oviedo.

Saturday pits Mallorca against Barcelona, Alavés against Levante, and Valencia against Real Sociedad.

Sunday’s fixtures feature Celta Vigo tipped to beat Getafe, Sevilla likely to edge Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid favoured over Espanyol, Girona backed against Rayo Vallecano, and Villarreal expected to seal another win over Real Oviedo.

In France’s Ligue 1, Saturday’s action includes Lens vs. Lyon, with the visitors tipped to win, Monaco expected to beat Le Havre, and a likely draw between Nice and Toulouse.

Sunday brings Angers fancied to see off Paris FC, Lorient tipped for an away win at Auxerre, Metz and Strasbourg predicted to cancel each other out, PSG expected to brush aside Nantes, and Lyon backed to edge Lens.