da roleta： The schedule for the upcoming campaign was confirmed on Tuesday morning, with plenty of compelling narratives emerging
da bwin： The Premier League fixture list has been revealed for the 2024-25 season, with clubs now able to plot their respective routes to success across another campaign. The outlook looks far tougher for some than it does for others, with a number of compelling narratives emerging up and down the table.
At the top, it will be all about catching Manchester City for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, while Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle will be doing their damnedest to keep pace or qualify for the Champions League. Chelsea, meanwhile, are something of an unknown quantity under new head coach Enzo Maresca, but they will want to stay on the upward trajectory that former boss Mauricio Pochettino set them on.
At the other end, Ipswich Town will be desperate to stay up after returning to the top flight after a 22-year absence, while fellow promoted clubs Leicester City and Southampton are back after just one season away.
With the fixture list confirmed, GOAL looks at the potentially defining periods in the upcoming Premier League campaign…
(C)GettyImagesIpswich's baptism of fire
Having sealed promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2002, Ipswich's start to life back in the top flight could hardly be more difficult.
Kieran McKenna's men begin the campaign with a mouth-watering home clash against Liverpool that is sure to generate one hell of an atmosphere at Portman Road, in what will also be new Reds boss Arne Slot's first game in charge.
Then in game week two, it's the small matter of a trip to face reigning Premier League champions Man City at the Etihad Stadium. As much as the Tractor Boys will relish these kinds of games, they will be desperate not to start the season on the back foot, as they face tough stretches around Christmas, February and April, too. Welcome back to the Premier League, Ipswich!
AdvertisementGettyFestive fear for Man Utd & Everton
Ipswich aren't the only ones facing a daunting festive fixture schedule; between early December and early January, Manchester United will face Arsenal and Man City away, Newcastle at home and, finally, Liverpool away in their first game of 2025.
Erik ten Hag's side will hope to be in a far stronger position than they found themselves in last term, as they will also be battling fixture congestion, with three more league games and Europa League group-stage encounters to contend with in December.
They aren't alone in facing a difficult few weeks around Christmas, though. If you thought United had it tough, spare a thought for Everton, who will take on Merseyside rivals Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City in games in December. They'll hope to be well clear of the relegation zone before that pinch point.
Getty/GOALChelsea's devilish run-in
Chelsea will once again be something of an unknown quantity when the season kicks off as they begin life under yet another new manager in Maresca. After Pochettino guided the Blues to a top-six finish in 2023-24 courtesy of some strong late-season form, they will hope to be challenging at the top end of the table, rather than trying to escape the clutches of mid-table.
However, two potentially season-defining runs of matches will bookend the campaign for Maresca's men; between October and November, Chelsea will face Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal in consecutive games, while they also host Aston Villa before the latter month is out.
Then in May, when the west Londoners will hope to be pushing for some form of European qualification, that fixture pattern is repeated as they face the return games against Liverpool, Newcastle and United. Far from an easy finish for the Blues!
GettyTough spell enough to stop City?
Champions Man City are an interesting case, and they may well fancy their chances of winning an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row after perusing the fixture list.
Although back-to-back games against Tottenham and Liverpool in November will be challenging, City largely avoid any sort of tough stretch until late January – which is rather ominous given their ability to gain momentum and go on extraordinarily long unbeaten runs.
They might already be in the driving seat by then, but their fixtures in the month from January 25 could be enough to derail their season; Guardiola's side will take on Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham consecutively in what will be a true test of their title credentials. If they pass it, you could hardly begrudge them that fifth in a row.