Manchester City will begin their Premier League title defence away to Chelsea on the opening weekend of the new season after the fixture list was published on Tuesday.
The match on August 18 will pit Pep Guardiola against his former assistant Enzo Maresca, who was appointed Chelsea boss earlier this month after guiding Leicester to promotion last term.
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FA Cup winners Manchester United will host the opening game of the campaign when Fulham visit Old Trafford on August 16.
The following day, newly promoted Ipswich, back in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, welcome Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot, who has replaced the long-serving Jurgen Klopp.
Leicester, back in the top flight after one season in the Championship and yet to name Maresca’s successor, will host Tottenham on August 19.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton reign will begin away to Everton while new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui will welcome Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who finished as runners-up behind City for a second straight season, host Wolves.
Manchester United have kept faith with Erik ten Hag on the back of an FA Cup triumph, but are aware of the need for collective improvement at Old Trafford, while big-spending Chelsea are still looking for a return on their considerable investment as Enzo Maresca takes the reins at Stamford Bridge.
Arne Slot is now calling the shots at Anfield, following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, and Julen Lopetegui is back in the English top-flight at West Ham. Aston Villa are adding Champions League competition to their schedule, while Newcastle and Tottenham have their sights set on a return to the top four.
Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester are all back in the big time, after stepping up out of the Championship, and will be hoping to avoid the same fate as the three promoted sides that went before them – as Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United all suffered relegation last season.
The new campaign will open with Manchester United playing host to Fulham, before defending champions Manchester City take in a blockbuster clash with Chelsea in west London, while Slot’s first game as Liverpool boss takes the Reds to Portman Road.
With the title potentially up for grabs on the final day, City and Arsenal will head out on the road, while the battle to secure Champions League qualification spots and avoid slipping through the Premier League trapdoor could also go down to the wire.
AFP