Premier League fixtures 2016/17: Arsenal vs Liverpool and Chelsea vs West Ham kick-off new season
Two matches stand out in the opening weekend of the season while champions Leicester take on Hull to begin the defence of their title
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal face Liverpool in the stand out fixture across the opening weekend of the Premier League season as the two rivals clash at the Emirates Stadium, with the London derby between Chelsea and West Ham also set to kick-off the campaign with a bang.
The Gunners faced Liverpool in their opening fixture back in 2010 with the two sides playing out a nervy 1-1 draw, but with both clubs already moving in the transfer window to bring in reinforcements, it could prove to be an exciting way to start the season.
The London derby at Stamford Bridge will also see a fierce rivalry renewed between Chelsea and West Ham, with the two sides playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw last season. With the Hammers moving to the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 season, they will have to wait until the second match of the season to unveil their new home when Bournemouth visit east London.
Elsewhere, the Jose Mourinho era at Manchester United gets underway not at Old Trafford, but at the Vitality Stadium as they travel to Bournemouth, while Pep Guardiola is given the honour of starting the season at home as Manchester City face Sunderland.
Defending Premier League champions Leicester will begin their defence of the title they won in stunning circumstances last season on the road as they travel north to recently promoted Hull City. However, the question of whether Jamie Vardy will still be at the club will be one of the biggest talking points at the start of the campaign, and to make matters worse, Leicester face Arsenal in their second match of the season – when the transfer window will still be open on 20 August.
Ronald Koeman will start his tenure at Everton against Tottenham, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to put last season’s disappointing finish behind them after missing out on the title to Leicester – while also being leapfrogged by rivals Arsenal on the final day.
Crystal Palace start their season off against West Brom, while Championship winners’ Burnley will begin at home against Swansea in their bid to stay in the Premier League. Fellow promoted side Middlesbrough entertain Stoke at the Riverside after a seven-year absence, and Southampton’s new manager – whoever it will be – will look forward to a St Mary’s opening fixture against Watford in Walter Mazzarri’s first match in charge of the Hornets.
Premier League 2016/17 opening weekend:
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Bournemouth vs Manchester United
Burnley vs Swansea
Chelsea vs West Ham
Crystal Palace vs West Brom
Everton vs Tottenham
Hull vs Leicester
Manchester City vs Sunderland
Middlesbrough vs Stoke
Southampton vs Watford
More to follow...
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