The schedule for the 2024-25 Premier League season has been released, with Manchester United opening the new campaign against Fulham at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils, who chose to stick by under pressure manager Erik ten Hag after an end-of-season review, endured a record-low eighth place finish last term and will be eager to make a positive start against Marco Silva’s side in the Premier League curtain-raiser.
Meanwhile, title contenders Arsenal have been given a great start to the season, with their opening match coming against Wolves at the Emirates. The remainder of August promises to be a mixed bag for the Gunners, who travel to Champions League outfit Aston Villa before returning home to play Brighton in north London.
The showpiece of the opening weekend with no doubt be Chelsea‘s fixture against reigning champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in a contest that will no doubt be branded ‘Pep vs Diet Pep’.
The Blues’ new manager Enzo Maresca, who was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City, moved to the west London club this summer after impressing during Leicester’s promotion season back to the Premier League.
Foxes fans affectionally nicknamed Maresca ‘Diet Pep’ for his ties to the legendary Spanish boss, so all eyes will be on whether the apprentice can outfox the master on opening weekend.
Another Premier League giant that begins the campaign with a new manager in the technical area is Liverpool, who appointed ex-Feyenoord boss Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp after the German left Anfield after nine impressive years at the club.
Slot’s first test in the Premier League will be against Ipswich, who won promotion to the top flight in astonishing fashion under Kieran McKenna last campaign.
The clash at Portman Road has been handed the 12.30pm early kick-off on Saturday August 17, a time slot Klopp frequently criticised during his tenure at Anfield.
Following that, Slot hosts Brentford for his first match at Anfield and will hope to endear himself to the Liverpool fans with a win against bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford the following weekend.
The month of May could prove challenging for Slot however, with Chelsea and Arsenal to play before more favourable fixtures against Brighton at the Amex and Crystal Palace at Anfield on the final day.
Tottenham also face a newly-promoted outfit in Leicester at the King Power Stadium on the opening weekend, with the Foxes now without Maresca following his move to Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle and Everton follow for Ange Postecoglou, before Spurs host archrivals Arsenal on September 14 in their fourth fixture of the season.
Manchester United have been given a tricky run-in to close out the season, with an away trip to Chelsea followed by a clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on the final day.
Arsenal may feel theirs is harder however, with Liverpool and Newcastle to play before facing Southampton at the end of the campaign.
Chelsea could be set for a nightmare schedule in December if they stay in all competitions, with their participation in the Europa Conference League set to create a major headache for fixture organisers.
After games on December 12 and 14, the Blues would then be required to play a Carabao Cup fifth round tie on December 18, followed by a Europa Conference League group stage match a day later. On December 21, they would then face Everton in the Premier League.
Aston Villa, who enjoyed a superb run last season and qualified for the Champions League behind City, Arsenal and Liverpool, will hope to get off to a flyer on the opening weekend when they face Julen Lopetegui’s new-look West Ham.
The battle of the Spanish bosses will an interesting storyline in the first weekend, with both sides proving in the last few years that they have the tools required to challenge for European places against the Premier League juggernauts.
However, Villa face a fiendish finale to their 2024-25 campaign, with clashes with Newcastle, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs in the final six games.
Meanwhile, Lopetegui’s Hammers will end the season favourably, facing Nottingham Forest and Ipswich after tough tests against Tottenham and Manchester United.
The FA Cup has also been given its own weekend next season for the third round proper on Saturday January 11, which will likely mean less rescheduled fixture chaos towards the end of the Premier League campaign.