What can we learn from the new Premier League season schedule?
With the climax of last season still fresh in fans’ minds, the never-ending English football merry-go-round took another turn on Thursday with the confirmation of the 2020/21 fixture schedule
After what seems like no time at all – because it hasn’t been – the Premier League is set to return again next month.
With the climax of last season still fresh in fans’ minds, the never-ending English football merry-go-round took another turn on Thursday with the confirmation of the 2020/21 fixture schedule.
Champions Liverpool will kick off the defence of their first Premier League title in what should be a hugely entertaining clash against promoted Leeds while Chelsea, fourth last season, visit Brighton. Elsewhere over the weekend of 12 September, Championship play-off winners Fulham are at home to Arsenal, while the third promoted side, West Brom, welcome Leicester City.
Tottenham meet Everton, Crystal Palace take on Southampton, Newcastle go to West Ham and Sheffield United face Wolves. Rivals Manchester City and Manchester United won’t be in action though with their extensive European exertions meaning they get a little more time off. Their openers, against Burnley and Aston Villa respectively, will be played at a later date.
So what else can we glean from the calendar now it has been laid out in front of us?
Liverpool, fresh from claiming a first title in 30 years, will have the target on their back that comes with that, a whole new pressure for Jurgen Klopp’s side to deal with. They’ll have to hit the ground running too. Once they have faced Leeds they head straight into back-to-back games against Chelsea and Arsenal. While the Leeds game may allow for some pre-season rust to be knocked off, those two will require the Reds to be at it from the off.
The race to catch them promises to be as watchable as ever. Chelsea kick off with three of the expected bottom six in their first four matches as they take on Brighton, West Brom and Palace. How new boy Timo Werner starts may give as good an indication as any as to how the Blues’ season will pan out. Manchester United will want to get out of the blocks sharply too and start with winnable games against Crystal Palace and Brighton before they welcome Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham to Old Trafford.
While this summer will be a shorter one than usual for Premier League clubs, Mourinho has at least had the chance to work on getting his Spurs squad into shape. He was parachuted in midway through last season after the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino and managed to secure a Europa League spot, though for a serial winner and an ambitious club, it is clear more is needed. The schedule tells us that Tottenham will be the first team to get all of their fixtures against the traditional ‘Big Six’ ticked off and their last seven games will be against sides predicted to finish the season seventh or lower. If Mourinho can find a way to work some magic in the ‘big’ games, his men could be well set for a strong finish.
There are reasons to be optimistic over at Arsenal once again too. With an FA Cup still gleaming in the trophy cabinet the work new boss Mikel Arteta has put in will be sternly tested early with Liverpool, Manchester United, former club Manchester City and north London rivals Tottenham all on the early slate. If they’re still in the mix after that then everyone will be listening to the hype.
At the other end of the table David Moyes’ reward for dragging West Ham out of the mire last season is a supremely tough-looking start to this one with their early diary including Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester and Wolves. Whether he gets the chance to pick them up after running that gauntlet remains to be seen, with the Hammers board never averse to making a change.
Promoted Fulham will be hoping to fare a whole lot better than they did when they last took the step up two years ago but they may have the run-in to give themselves a chance. A rock-solid April including Wolves, Arsenal and Tottenham before Chelsea in May makes way for a far easier run for home with Scott Parker hoping to still be in touching distance of safety by then. Fellow new boys West Brom appear to have a similarly manageable home stretch but will face a lengthy wait for their own big one – the first derby with Black Country rivals Wolves isn’t until January.
And what of Marcelo Bielsa? Returning to the top flight after a 16-year absence, Leeds’ reward on the opening weekend is a trip to Liverpool. If they needed reminding of just how big the step up from the Championship to the Premier League is, that’s it. Never shy from putting in the hard yards, Bielsa better get to work.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments