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The new Premier League season is almost upon us and fans around the world are gearing up for what promises to be a spectacular season. From a 6-way title battle to an unpredictable relegation scrap, the year ahead promises drama, excitement, and plenty of talking points.
Top-flight clubs in England have endured a difficult and short preseason. With only a few weeks between the end of the World Cup and the beginning of the new season, preparations have been far from ideal for England's elite.
Many of the top teams are expecting to begin their campaigns without a host of their best players due to the necessary additional recovery time required after an exciting and exhausting summer tournament. Add to that the wildcard of an early transfer deadline day and we can most likely look forward to some big shock results over the next four weeks.
The traditional Community Shield curtain-raiser will begin the season in earnest on Sunday, August 5th at 3.00 pm GMT/7.30 pm IST when title holders, Manchester City, will faceoff against FA Cup winners, Chelsea, at Wembley.
This clash is sure to whet our appetite for the opening round of fixtures in the Premier League the following weekend. With so many exciting games to look forward to it can prove extremely difficult to pick out the most favourable and riveting fixtures to watch.
So, we have selected five Premier League clashes you can't miss this August. Clear your diary and get ready for what promises to be the most exciting season in recent memory!
#1 Manchester United Vs Leicester City
Much to the dismay of Jose Mourinho, the opening game of the Premier League will kick-off on a Friday night for the first time ever. The United manager has constantly complained about his team's schedule but will need to have his side ready a day earlier than most of his rivals for the season opener.
Manchester United are likely to field a slightly weakened team due to the absences of some of their World Cup stars. Meanwhile, Leicester City is expected to have a full squad to choose from for their trip to Old Trafford.
An interesting subplot to this fixture is the ongoing saga revolving around Harry Maguire. Will the England centre-back be lining up for Leicester or Manchester United come August 9th?
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick-Off: Friday, August 10th 8.00 pm GMT/Saturday, August 11th 00.30 am IST
Corresponding result last season: Manchester United 2-0 Leicester City
Player to watch: Fred (Manchester United). The Brazilian is in line to make his Manchester United and Old Trafford debut.
Did you know?: Manchester United boast the best opening day record in the Premier League with 17 wins, 4 draws, and just 5 defeats.
#2 Arsenal Vs Manchester City
Matchday one brings with it the first clash between top 6 sides and what a fixture to get the ball rolling. Both sides enter this season with high expectations and getting off to a perfect start could prove essential in the race for the title.
Arsenal is buoyant for the first time in many years. Umai Emery's appointment had spread optimism around the Emirates as the Gunners hope to improve on last season's disappointing finish outside the top 4 and start the new season with a bang. If Aubameyang and Ozil can perform to their capabilities, Arsenal could be a real danger this season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to build on their incredible success last time out. After recording numerous records on their stroll to the Premier League title, the Citizens are most likely going to make European success their main target for the season. Perhaps this will cause a loss of focus in the league and present an opportunity for other teams to capitalize.
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Kick-Off: Sunday, August 12th 4.00 pm GMT/8.30 pm IST
Corresponding result last season: Arsenal 0-3 Manchester City
Player to watch: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal). The forward was sensational during the second half of last season and will play a key role for Arsenal this season.
Did you know?: Manchester City has lost only twice in their last 12 fixtures against Arsenal, winning 5 and drawing 5. In the previous five encounters, City is undefeated.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur Vs Fulham
An intriguing fixture, this London derby has all the hallmarks of a classic. Both sides enjoy playing expansive, attacking football and we can expect a lot of goalmouth action in this early season clash.
Spurs begin their campaign with a difficult trip to St. James' Park to face Newcastle before coming back to London to take on their city rivals. There has been much talk about the lack of activity by Pochettino in the transfer market this summer and he will need his squad fit and firing for what promises to be an exhausting game against Fulham.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers are back in the big time and ready to spring a surprise or two during the upcoming campaign. A dark horse to challenge for the "best of the rest" prize, Fulham are an excellent footballing side with some wonderful players. The wide Wembley pitch will suit their style of play as they look to conquer a big name early in the season.
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Kick-Off: Sunday, August 18th 3.00 pm GMT/7.30 pm IST
Corresponding result last season: N/A
Player to watch: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham). The young midfielder has caught the eye of many bigger clubs of late but opted to stick with Fulham for the upcoming season.
Did you know?: Fulham is back in the Premier League for the first time in three years. They arrived the hard way, beating Derby and Aston Villa in the playoffs after finishing third in the Championship last season.
#4 Chelsea Vs Arsenal
The second of three top 6 clashes in August, Arsenal travel to Chelsea in Gameweek two. Both sides made wholesale changes during the summer with new managerial arrivals and a change in the style of play for the upcoming season. Both clubs also expect better this season and will push for at least a top 4 finish.
Having started the season away at Huddersfield, Chelsea will hope to come into this fixture with a win and three points under their belt. Maurizio Sarri has had to beat off interest in many of his key players this summer including Hazard, Willian, and Courtois, all of whom at the time of writing remain at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal can curse their luck with an incredibly difficult set of fixtures to begin the season. After facing off against Manchester City, they will travel to Stamford Bridge in search of a positive result. Should the Gunners fail to pick up any points from their opening two games, the pressure will already start to build up for Emery.
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off: Saturday, August 18th 4.30 pm GMT/10.00 pm IST
Corresponding result last season: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Player to watch: Jorginho (Chelsea). The Italian will make his home debut for Chelsea in this game and hopes to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
Did you know?: Arsenal has failed to win at Stamford Bridge in their last seven attempts. Their last victory on this ground came in October 2011 when they won 5-3.
#5 Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Rounding off the August highlights in the Premier League fixture list is the showdown between Spurs and Manchester United. Both sides will expect three points from this game in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Having started the season with games against Leicester and Brighton, Man Utd should expect to enter this game with maximum points. In addition, Mourinho should have a full squad to choose from by August 29th with all World Cup players expected to be ready for action. A win here and the Red Devils could become early pacesetters in the league.
Spurs, meanwhile, come into this fixture on the back of games against Newcastle and Fulham. They will also hope to have maximum points and will arrive at Old Trafford hoping to inflict damage on a rival early in the season. The whereabouts of Tony Alderweireld could be a major talking point for this game.
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick-Off: Tuesday, August 28th 8.00 pm GMT/Wednesday, August 29th 00.30 am IST
Corresponding result last season: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Player to watch: Tony Alderweireld (Spurs). Currently still at Tottenham, the defender has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. Will he line up in red or white for this game?
Did you know?: The home side has won this fixture on each of the last eight occasions. The last time the home side didn't record a win was a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane in December 2014.
