Each and every summer the Premier League fixture lists for the season to come are released and the responses always split into two differing camps.
There are those who believe that fixture schedules don’t have any great bearing on what is about to transpire over ten arduous months.
After all, every team plays every other team twice. Why does it matter in what order these contests take place?
Others place meaning onto the order, even importance, and perhaps for good reason. Here are five examples why the latter group are most probably in the right.
Defining Autumn For Arsenal
The Gunners are fortunate to have three relatively routine games right off the bat, all the better to return to winning ways and put the disappointment of fading late-on in 2022/23 behind them.
By the end of August, Mikel Arteta’s men could conceivably have a maximum nine points, with their Premier League betting odds for the title shortening as a consequence.
From that point on though, wow does it get tough, with eight consecutive challenges that will test their title mettle to the fullest.
There’s United and City to face. A North London Derby. Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle all away.
In the week leading up to Bonfire Night we’ll know if Arsenal are lighting up the skies or fresh out of fireworks.
Happy Ending For Chelsea?
With Pochettino now at the helm, Chelsea fans will be tentatively optimistic about a new dawn at the Bridge, one that might consign a disastrous 2022/23 to the past.
Naturally, a title bid feels out of their range at present, given the sheer amount of rehabilitation needed to make the Blues competitive again.
But if Poch gets a tune out of an array of extremely talented individuals then a top four challenge seems viable.
With that in mind, their benign run-in bodes well for them, with West Ham and Bournemouth at home bookending a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Treble Threat For City
No fan-base wants their side paired up with a promoted team on the opening day of the campaign, least of all away from home.
The ideal time to play promoted fare is post-Christmas, when they’re almost certainly struggling, brow-beaten by the relentless cruelty of the top-flight.
In August, Premier League newbies are typically up for the fight and highly motivated until gravity takes hold.
Having won a historic treble last term, Manchester City begin their defence of their league crown with a tough trip to Burnley, worst yet Turf Moor on a Friday night. The atmosphere will be deafening.
A week later they host Newcastle, with a Super Cup clash with Sevilla in between. As starts go, there are absolutely easier ones around.
Hatters Thrown In Deep End
After securing top-flight status against all expectation, Luton Town have every right to enjoy the heck out of this summer.
When next season begins however, expect reality to bite quick and hard.
Already tipped in the sports betting to drop come May, an opening brace of awaydays to Brighton and Chelsea could see the Hatters getting well acquainted with the bottom three from the get-go.
Challenging Christmas for Reds
A demanding festive schedule is hard on every club, with three games inside a week stress-testing a squad to its limits.
It’s fair to suggest though that Liverpool this year will have it tougher than most with Arsenal and Newcastle heading to Anfield either side of a Boxing Day clash at Burnley.
Whether this trio of fixtures brings Christmas cheer or yuletide misery will go a long way to determining how Liverpool’s season shapes up.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
