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Thomas Frank will take on Burnley in his first Premier League game as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

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While the ex-Brentford man faces PSG in the European Cup three days before Spurs’ Premier League opener, his first real taste of competitive action will come against Scott Parker’s side.

Frank replaces Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite leading Spurs to Europa League triumph, a victory that ended the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

It was Tottenham’s horrid league form that led to Postecoglou’s departure, as the North London outfit finished 17th in the table with 22 league defeats to their name.

Speaking in his first interview as Spurs boss, Frank made his intentions crystal clear.

"The intention is to play aggressive, front-footed football,” he said.

"I know the ethos and the history of the club is massive on attacking football and there’s so much attacking talent in the squad, which I’m so excited about.

"They’ve shown over the last two seasons their ability to score goals is fantastic. I love a team that is scoring goals.

"I’m also a big believer that if you don’t take a risk, then that’s also a risk. It’s important we take risks. If you don’t risk the ball, you risk not creating anything, so I’m a big believer in that. We need to be brave. For me, if the players lose the ball by trying, that’s never a problem with me.”

After losing 10 of their 19 home league games this season, Frank knows they must improve on their home ground.

That’s exactly where they will kick off the 2025/26 season when they take on the newly-promoted Clarets.

"First and foremost, it’s a fantastic fanbase,” Frank added. “How can we create these magic moments with the fans? Moments that will last with the fans forever.

“It’s about going on a journey together, a journey where there will be ups and downs and it’s how we get through these ups and downs together.

"Of course the connection from the team to the fans and from me to the fans is going to be crucial.

"A very important thing is to make our home stadium a fortress. That can only be the fans and us together, so that needs to be an ongoing relationship. We need to build that because I want our home to be very, very difficult to come to. We can only do that together.”

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Burnley will travel to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

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Scott Parker will face familiar opposition when Burnley mark their return to the Premier League with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the 2025/26 season.

The Clarets boss spent two years with Spurs during his playing career before laying the foundations for his career in management by returning to the North London club as an academy coach. The game will see former Brentford boss Thomas Frank take charge of the home side for the first time in the Premier League.

A first home clash comes a week later when fellow newly-promoted side Sunderland are the visitors to Turf Moor after the Black Cats secured a return to the top tier with a Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United last month. A tough trio of opening fixtures is then rounded off when Burnley travel to Old Trafford to take on 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United as the Red Devils look to move on from a deeply disappointing season last time out.

But how are Burnley predicted to fare on their return to the Premier League? We take to AI tool Grok3 to see how they predict the Premier League table will look when the 2025/26 season comes to a close next May.

AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

Grok3: Arsenal have been consistent title contenders, narrowly missing out in recent seasons. With a strong squad, potential signings, and Mikel Arteta’s tactical growth, they could edge out competitors to win the title.

Grok3: Despite a dip to third in 2024/25, City’s depth and Pep Guardiola’s brilliance make them a near-certain top-two side. They’re likely to rebound but may fall just short of the title.

Grok3: Chelsea’s upward trajectory under their current management, combined with a young, talented squad, positions them for a top-four finish. They could challenge for third if key players gel.

Grok3: Liverpool’s transition post-Klopp has been impressive, and with a strong core and potential new signings, they should secure a Champions League spot, though not quite title contenders.

Grok3: Newcastle’s financial backing and consistent improvement make them a top-five candidate. Their 2024/25 form suggests they’ll push for European spots again.

Grok3: Villa’s European success and Unai Emery’s management keep them in the top-six conversation. They’re likely to maintain their strong home form and compete for Europa League qualification.

Grok3: Forest’s surprise push in 2024/25, reaching European spots, shows their potential. With smart recruitment, they could solidify a top-half finish.

Grok3: Spurs’ inconsistency persists, but Thomas Frank’s attacking style ensures a competitive season. They’re likely to hover around the top eight but struggle for top-four.

Grok3: Brighton’s progressive model keeps them in the top half, though their ceiling may be limited without a marquee striker. They’ll remain entertaining and solid.

Grok3: Palace’s young, dynamic squad and Oliver Glasner’s tactics make them a dark horse for a top-10 finish, especially if they retain key players like Eberechi Eze.

Grok3: Fulham’s steady mid-table presence continues, with Marco Silva’s balanced approach ensuring they avoid relegation battles while occasionally upsetting bigger sides.

Grok3: United’s ongoing struggles, despite heavy investment, could see them flirt with relegation if their managerial and recruitment issues persist. Another low finish is possible.

Grok3: Bournemouth’s resilience and attacking flair under Andoni Iraola keep them comfortably mid-table, though they lack the depth for a higher finish.

Grok3: Everton’s financial constraints and takeover uncertainties limit their ambitions, but David Moyes’ pragmatism ensures survival and a lower-mid-table finish.

Grok3: Wolves’ inconsistent form place them in the lower mid-table, but they’re unlikely to face relegation trouble.

Grok3: West Ham’s transitional phase under new management and aging squad members could see them slip slightly, though they should stay clear of the drop.

Grok3: As a promoted side, Leeds’ high-energy style under Daniel Farke could keep them up, but defensive frailties may cost them against stronger teams.

Grok3: Brentford’s over-reliance on players like Bryan Mbeumo and Yoan Wissa and potential fatigue from their high-pressing style could see them relegated, especially if injuries mount.

Grok3: Burnley, another promoted team, will rely on Scott Parker’s organisation to scrape survival. Despite their Championship dominance it will be a tough battle to stay in the division.

Grok3: Sunderland, newly promoted, may struggle to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity. Their young squad might lack the experience to avoid the drop.

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Scott Parker insists he remains fully focused on Burnley amid speculation linking him with his former club Tottenham.

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Fresh off the back of sealing promotion to the Premier League on Easter Monday, reports soon emerged in the national media that Spurs are big “admirers” of the 44-year-old.

While Ange Postecoglou currently remains in charge, serious questions have been asked about his future following a miserable campaign, which sees Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League table having lost 18 times.

The Australian head coach could still finish the campaign with some silverware, however, having led Tottenham to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

It has been suggested in some quarters though that Postecoglou could still lose his job even if he were to clinch a European trophy.

Tottenham is a club very close to Parker’s heart, having spent three years there as a player before later beginning his coaching journey with their academy.

When asked about the speculation, Parker said: “I think at the moment I've got one single focus and that's Burnley and that's us and what we've done this year. That's exactly where my focus is.

“Football brings around rumours and constant things like that. But I’m absolutely fully, fully focused on what we're doing here and what we've done here and finishing off this season, really.”

Parker was speaking ahead of Saturday’s lunch-time clash against QPR in Burnley’s second-to-last game of the season.

The Clarets boss is keen to finish the season on another high and fight Leeds United all the way to the finishing line for the Championship title.

As it currently stands, Daniel Farke’s side lead the way thanks to a much superior goal difference, however one slip-up could pave the way for Burnley to take advantage.

“It would mean everything [to win the title] and that's our aim now,” Parker added.

“We've ticked one box and that box was to get out of this division and back into the Premier League, where this club deserves to be and these players deserve to be.

“The next one now is can we tick another one and try and become champions of this division really? That's the sole aim now.”

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Scott Parker has tipped Wilson Odobert for a bright future after the former Burnley winger completed a big money move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Clarets were dealt a blow on Friday when the 19-year-old made the switch to North London for an undisclosed fee.

While Odobert’s departure comes as a blow for the Clarets, it also highlights the club’s model in action, by buying players for a relatively low figure before selling them on for a big profit.

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“It’s a shame to see Wilson go,” Parker said.

“He’s obviously a top talent that has been nurtured and brought through here, [but] an opportunity for Wilson at Spurs is an incredible opportunity.

“I spent four weeks working with Wilson and I saw every bit of his quality every day, he was a credit in terms of his professionalism and his quality. Everything about him was superb and everybody at the football club wishes him nothing but all the very best at what is a top club, I understand that.

“We have no doubt he has a real bright future ahead.”

Odobert wasn’t the only player to leave on Friday, with Scott Twine also completing a permanent switch to Bristol City - before netting their late winner during their dramatic 4-3 win against Millwall on Saturday.

Further departures are anticipated prior to the August 30 transfer deadline, as the Clarets continue to trim their bloated squad.

Whatever transpires between now and the deadline, Parker will have a strong squad at his disposal in the Championship.

When asked if he’s worried that he might lose more of his better players, Parker added: “It’s a possibility, but every club sits in this position or any manager that sits in this chair at a football club, there’s always that worry.

“The way we work and operate, there’s a [transfer] window open for another 10 days to two weeks and at any moment a player can be transferred or anyone can be brought in.

“It’s not something at the forefront of my mind though. There’s a good squad here, of course, but a lot of work has gone into them and every credit to every one of them in terms of taking things on board and bringing that energy.”

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Wilson Odobert has left Burnley to join Tottenham Hotpsur for an undisclosed fee.

The deal, which is still subject to formalities, sees the Frenchman sign a five-year contract with Ange Postecoglu’s side.

The winger will wear the number 28 with the North London outfit.

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"Burnley Football Club can confirm that forward Wilson Odobert has joined Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee,” the Clarets said in a statement.

“The France Under-21 international signed for the Clarets last summer and scored four goals in 33 appearances across the 2023/24 campaign and became Burnley's youngest ever Premier League goalscorer with his goal against Chelsea.

“The club would like to wish Wilson all the best and thank him for his efforts during his time at Turf Moor.”

Odobert started and scored during Burnley’s season opener against Luton Town on Monday night during their 4-1 win.

He coolly slotted home after being played in behind the Luton defence by Connor Roberts’ clever ball to double the Clarets’ lead during the first-half.

It was only this time last year that Odobert signed for the Clarets from Troyes for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old is the tenth player to leave Turf Moor this summer. Arijanet Muric, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Lawrence Vigouroux, Charlie Taylor, Samuel Bastien, Jack Cork, Darko Churlinov (loan), Dara Costelloe (loan) and Michael Mellon (loan) have also departed.

The Clarets have until August 30 to complete their transfer business.