10 Premier League fixtures to look out for next season
Liverpool kick off their season against Chelsea away, Man United and Arsenal clash on the penultimate weekend – and Luton first host Burnley at Kenilworth Road… 10 Premier League fixtures to look out for next season
- The Premier League released their fixtures for the new season on Thursday
- Chelsea take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend next term
- Manchester United and Arsenal play each other on the penultimate weekend
The Premier League have released their fixture list for the new campaign, and there are some enticing contests for fans to keep an eye on.
Of course, all teams play each other twice but the timing of matches is such a crucial part of any campaign. A kind run of fixtures at the start of the season can set a solid foundation for success, while a tricky run-in can take the wheels off a promising campaign.
Mail Sport has taken a look at 10 important matches next season, both at the top and bottom of the Premier League table.
Chelsea vs Liverpool, August 13
Both Liverpool and Chelsea endured uncharacteristically poor campaigns last season and will be heading into next term with plenty to prove.
Reds fans, who have become accustomed to winning and challenging for trophies under Jurgen Klopp, will travel to Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, and it’s likely to prove a pivotal match for both sides.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on the opening weekend
EVERY TEAM’S 2023-24 FIXTURES
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Bournemouth
Brentford
Brighton and Hove Albion
Burnley
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Luton Town
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolves
A win for either Liverpool or Chelsea would help build a solid foundation for the campaign and brush away any pre-season jitters. Lose, and it could kickstart yet another disappointing year.
Luton vs Burnley, August 19
Luton’s 10,000-capacity stadium Kenilworth Road will first see action against Championship winners Burnley on the second weekend of the season.
Both newly-promoted sides will be desperate for their first victory of the campaign and will eye this clash up as a winnable fixture, with Burnley hosting Manchester City and Luton travelling to Brighton the opening weekend.
Kenilworth Road is set to be packed from head to toe with Luton and Burnley supporters, and both teams will keen to show the Premier League exactly what they’re made of.
Arsenal vs Manchester United, September 2
The Gunners came closest to rivalling Manchester City last campaign, but Erik ten Hag’s side will hope they’ve got what it takes to knock the Treble-winners off their perch next season.
Having finished second and third respectively last term, both Arsenal and United will be gunning for a fruitful start – and face each other very early in the season.
Whoever wins the clash at the Emirates on September 2 will likely be branded as City’s main title rivals, so both sides will be sure to bring their A-game.
Manchester United play Arsenal in September, with both looking to mount a title challenge
Manchester United vs Manchester City, October 28
The FA Cup final between City and United showed how much the Red Devils need a striker, and the Old Trafford chiefs will hope to have a new hitman up top when the sides meet again in October.
With City having been gifted a kind start to the new season, Pep Guardiola will hope to pull away early on and throw pressure on the likes of Arsenal, United and Liverpool chasing.
Stopping the serial winners in their tracks will be crucial for the Red Devils ahead of a busy summer, and October’s Manchester derby looks poised to be one of the clashes of the season.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth, December 23
After impressively securing survival last term, both Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth will be fearing the dreaded ‘second-season syndrome’ ahead of the new campaign.
Often the bottom-placed team at Christmas suffer eventually relegation come the end of the season, and with Forest facing the Cherries two days before, it could be a defining game during the long season.
Of course, both sides could kick on and continue to defy the odds as relegation favourites. But given teams often struggle in their second season in the Premier League, this match on December 23 is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Gary O’Neil will be desperate to avoid second season syndrome at Bournemouth next season
Newcastle vs Manchester City, January 13
Newcastle’s success in qualifying for the Champions League was one of the stories of last season, and it’s not yet clear how heavily they’ll spend in the summer transfer window.
Come January, both Newcastle and Manchester City will be the favourites to splash their millions on new stars, particularly if either suffer poor starts to the season.
City’s trip to St James’ Park on January 13 not only promises to be an entertaining fixture – it could also have one or two new superstars gracing the Premier League stage.
Manchester United vs Liverpool, April 6
Neutrals always get excited when Manchester United and Liverpool face off, and their match in April could be defining match in the context of their seasons.
Both sides will be eager to launch a title challenge and if not secure their status as a Champions League outfit by finishing in the top four.
Beating their bitter rivals with only a month to go before the end of the season could set the tone for a fruitful run-in – and could simultaneously send the other’s campaign into ruin. It’s definitely not one to miss.
Newcastle vs Tottenham, April 13
With Harry Kane expected to leave north London this summer and Ange Postecoglou a newcomer in the Premier League, it’s difficult to know exactly how Tottenham will perform next season.
One thing that’s set in stone is a horrible run-in. After facing Newcastle on April 13, Spurs take on Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in their next three fixtures.
If Tottenham fail to impress at St James’ Park in early April, it could spell a grim end to their season.
Everton vs Sheffield United, May 11
The Toffees have established themselves as end-of-season survival specialists over the last few campaigns, but with Arsenal to play on the final day Sean Dyche will be desperate to avoid relegation before the trip to the Emirates.
Everton host newly-promoted Sheffield United on the penultimate weekend, and it’s likely the Blades will also be in a relegation scrap come the end of the season.
Sean Dyche will hope Everton’s survival is sealed before facing Sheffield United in May
Could this clash be a Premier League survival shootout? If so, it’s certainly one for the diaries.
Manchester United vs Arsenal, May 11
If either United or Arsenal have managed to keep apace with City by this stage, this fixture on the penultimate weekend could decide it all.
It’s never nice playing the Premier League elite so close to the end of the season, and with Arsenal’s history of dropping off towards the end of campaigns, the clash at Old Trafford could be a final nail in the coffin.
Win it though, and it could set either side up for rich rewards on the final weekend of the season.
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