Premier League fixtures 2017-18: Complete guide as fixture list for new season is released

Posted Thursday, June 15, 2017 by Express.co.uk

Premier League fixtures 2017-18: Complete guide as fixture list for new season is released
Manchester United get the season underway against West Ham

CHAMPIONS Chelsea will start their 2017/18 Premier League campaign at home to Burnley.

The new season's fixtures which were announced on Wednesday morning saw Antonio Conte's team given a Stamford Bridge opener on the weekend of August 12/13.

Runners-up Tottenham start away from home for the seventh successive season. The trip to newly-promoted Newcastle is a repeat of the 2012/13 opener, which the Magpies won 2-1.

Brighton host Manchester City while the other Premier League newcomers, Huddersfield, open at Crystal Palace.

Manchester United begin at home to West Ham in the pick of the opening weekend, 2016 champions Leicester visit Arsenal, while Liverpool go to Watford.

Everton host Stoke, Southampton face Swansea and West Brom are at home to Bournemouth in the other opening day matches.

Tottenham's first Premier League match at Wembley sees Chelsea provide the opposition, in the pick of the following weekend's fixtures.

The big games continue with Liverpool hosting Arsenal the following weekend, before Jurgen Klopp's men travel to Manchester City. The Gunners then head for Stamford Bridge in the highlight of the fifth weekend's action, while West Ham tackle Tottenham on the weekend of September 23/24.

As for derbies, Arsenal have home advantage in the first north London showdown on November 18, with the return taking place at Wembley on February 10.

The weekend of December 9/10 sees Liverpool host Everton and City visit United in the first Manchester derby of the season. The returns are scheduled for April 7/8.

Christmas and New Year sees teams lined up to play four matches over 10 days between December 23 and January 1 - Arsenal against Chelsea on New Year's Day looks the pick of the festive matches.

Looking ahead to the end of the season, the promoted trio all appear to have a challenging run-in.

Huddersfield, out of the top flight since 1972, face Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal in their last four matches, while Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool are the opponents in three of Brighton's final four.

Although Newcastle's run-in appears less intimidating, they do not get off lightly on the final day - with Chelsea the visitors to St James' Park.

Tottenham finish at home to Leicester, Manchester United host Watford, Manchester City are at Southampton and West Ham take on Everton.

Elsewhere on May 13, Eddie Howe returns to Burnley with Bournemouth, Stoke go to Swansea and Palace face West Brom in a game which took place on the opening day of last season.

THE BIG TALKING POINTS

FANS WILL GO ALL TREMBLY FOR WEMBLEY OPENER

Tottenham fans will have hoped for an appealing start to life at Wembley - the venue for their home matches next season as their new stadium is being built - and Chelsea should fit the bill nicely.

Mauricio Pochettino's first Premier League match at the national stadium will be against the only team to finish above them last season.

NO LESS CONGESTION

Managers new to the Premier League have admitted that adapting to the busiest fixture list in the world is one of the biggest challenges to face them.

The World Cup in Russia means things will be tougher, not easier, with the 2017/18 campaign finishing a week earlier and clubs facing four games in 10 days between December 23 and January 1.

EUROPEAN PAIN?

Arsene Wenger expressed his frustration at facing away trips in the Premier League after gruelling European jaunts.

The 2017/18 domestic calendar does him few favours, with just one of Arsenal's six Europa League ties followed by a Premier League home game.

In contrast, five out of Tottenham's six Champions League games are followed by a home game.

DERBY DAZE

The weekends of December 9/10 and April 7/8 are big ones in the north-west, with red and blue meeting in two cities.

Liverpool host Everton at Anfield, while the first Manchester derby of the season sees United and City meet at Old Trafford.

The returns are due to take place four months later.

TERRIERS' TERRIFYING RUN-IN?

Huddersfield's chances of hitting the ground running may be helped by the fact they do not have any of the big guns in their first six games.

However, the back end of the season is not quite as appealing.

The Terriers, back among English football's big boys for the first time in 45 years, face Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal in an intimidating run-in.

HOME HELP

Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are the only three teams to start and finish at home and have a Boxing Day clash in front of their own fans.

In contrast, Manchester City, Leicester and Stoke are away in all three rounds.

TEAMS GET ANOTHER BREAK AFTER CUP EXPLOITS

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce said early last year it was "diabolical" top-flight clubs had fixtures the Tuesday and Wednesday after FA Cup third-round weekend.

The Premier League appeared to listen, as there was no midweek league programme earlier this year - and although Allardyce is no longer a top-flight manager, those who are will be pleased to see the situation is unchanged in 2018.