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The fixtures for the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League season have been released and there are all sorts of intriguing games, early-season showdowns between titles rivals and derby dates to look forward to. With less than 50 days to go for kickoff, football supporters from across the world will be having a look at the fixture lists and picking where and when their team will be picking up points in the next twelve months or so.
But which matches are the cream of the crop? Which games are mostly likely to get everyone out of their seats? Here, are the top 10 key matches to look forward to which could shape the season ahead..
10) AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa (August 8)
The opening day of the Premier League season is one of the most awaited days and is viewed by many in the world as a world holiday. It is the day when all the friendly action comes to an end and the competitive league football begins after almost three months away from the pitch. However, this day will mean a lot more for the supporters for Bournemouth.
After the euphoria of promotion on the final day of last season, the Cherries’ top-flight credentials will be tested for the first time in their 125-year long history at home to Aston Villa. Eddie Howe has exceeded all expectations by guiding the South Coast club to the top flight, and this opener against Tim Sherwood’s side will be a historic occasion at the Goldsands Stadium.
9) Manchester City vs Chelsea (August 15)
Boom! Here it is, just in the second week of the season we have a clash between the top two of last season. Chelsea will be looking for a strong start to their title defence just like they did in the last campaign, but runners-up Manchester City have an early chance to gain the upper hand this year. It’s way too early to say whether this gave will have any significant impact on the title, but it’s an early opportunity to make a statement of intent for both the teams.
Manuel Pellegrini has never beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League, and so a win in this game would mean a lot and represent a great start to his team. However, the Chelsea boss is very good at frustrating top opposition, and so it promises to be an intriguing clash.
8) Manchester United v Liverpool (September 12)
It’s here, one of the greatest rivalries in world football and one encounter which is eagerly awaited by both sets of fans. Liverpool start the season with a nightmare run of away games against Stoke City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City. The pressure will mount on Brendan Rodgers if results don’t go their way, and their visit to Old Trafford just after the transfer window will be crucial.
United did the double over their fierce rivals last season and are now pushing on for a title challenge under Louis van Gaal, while Liverpool are stalling with Rodgers and with no Steven Gerrard around, winning this derby early on in the season would be huge for the clubs.
7) Manchester United v Manchester City (October 24)
The bragging rights of the city will be up for stake once again when the two sides meet in late October. After a season of transition under Louis van Gaal, United should be back challenging for the title next season and by the time they play their noisy neighbours they will have already faced Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Liverpool, but this game will be an even bigger test of their title credentials.
While, for City its all about getting back their Premier League crown from Chelsea and this game after a Champions League midweek fixture will be very important as the team which recovers quickly and raises their game for the derby will be the one who gets the vital three points.
6) Southampton v AFC Bournemouth (October 31)
For the first time since 2005, the Premier League will have itself a South Coast Derby. It won’t be as illustrious as United against Liverpool, but there is no love lost between these two sides who were battling it out in League One four years ago.
Separated by only 32 miles, Southampton and Bournemouth rivalry has the potential to become one of the most stylish rivalries in the Premier League. Southampton’s big rivals are Portsmouth, but the loathing between the Cherries and the Saints has been growing in recent years.
The two sides are scheduled to meet for the first time in the Premier League on Halloween, and what a fitting day that would be for a new rivalry to be born.
5) Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (November 8)
Another derby will take centre stage at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal and Tottenham clash for the first time in 2015/16. Home or away, the North London Derby is always a huge fixture for both the teams and this campaign it won’t be any different.
Last season, Spurs got the better of their two matches against their fierce rivals, drawing 1-1 away from home and then winning 2-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to Harry Kane’s late header. The Gunners’ players and fans alike will want revenge this season as they hope to mount a credible title challenge after two consecutive FA Cup successes.
This one promises to be an epic encounter in the north London and add to that, it could also be Kane’s first appearance at the Emirates Stadium given all his Gooner links of his youth.
4) Manchester United v Chelsea (December 28)
The Christmas period is always action packed and hold a lot of importance since the games come thick and fast. A good run can put a team in a position of strength, given the quick turnaround, while points dropped can have the opposite effect.
And two days after Boxing day, two giants of English football collide as ‘The Special One’ takes his champions to face his master at Old Trafford. Last season the two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Theatre of Dreams, but with plenty of new signings expected over the summer at United, Van Gaal’s side could pose a much greater threat to Chelsea and their title defence next season.
However, it won’t be any easy for the Red Devils after a potentially draining trip to Stoke City they host the Blues, who will be coming off the back of a home against Watford. This game will be tough for both sides but has the proverbial six-pointer written all over it. And also a chance for Radamel Falcao to play against his old club, maybe.
3) Newcastle United v Sunderland (March 19)
This is a massive rivalry up in the north-east between Newcastle United and Sunderland as both teams have fallen on tough times in recent seasons. It looks like it could be another struggling campaign for both clubs, with a mid-table finish the goal, but this game will be of huge significance.
This is the one that the Toon Army dreads. Newcastle have lost to their rivals from Wearside in each of the last five occasions and this is the fixture that makes or breaks one’s reputation. Steve McClaren must try and do what Alan Pardew and John Carver have failed to do in the last five years, that is to deliver the Magpies their first home win over their bitter rivals since 2010, and that would make the former England boss a popular figure at St James’ Park.
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, on the other hand, already has a derby victory under his belt and will be looking forward to this big derby game.
2) Chelsea v Manchester City (April 16)
A glance at the fixtures in the second half of the season and this one stands out the most. This game could be huge in the title race as Chelsea and City are likely to be up against each other for the Premier League crown in 2015/16.
With just four games to go after this one, it could well be a potential title decider with the team winning this one gaining a significant advantage over the other in the race to be crowned as champions. The last meeting between the two sides at Stamford Bridge ended in a 1-1 draw and with so much at stake in this game it is likely to be another closely-contested match.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United will also be aiming to be still involved in the title race in April, and so slip-ups in this game for either side could be costly.
1) Manchester City v Arsenal (May 7)
And finally, if Arsene Wenger can bring in a few star players this summer then this game at the Etihad has the making to be another potential title decider. Arsenal fans can only hope there will be as much riding on this game as there might be on Chelsea against City three weeks earlier.
The Gunners and the Citizens are expected to be the most likely challengers to Chelsea’s throne and this meeting, on the second-last weekend of the season, could yet shape the destiny of the title. The Gunners beat City 2-0 away from home last season with that brilliant defensive display. Can they repeat that performance? Or will City grab the three points in their final home game and take a massive step towards regaining their title?
Other notable fixtures
- Chelsea v Arsenal (September 19)
- AFC Bournemouth v Watford (October 3)
- Everton v Liverpool (October 3)
- Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (November 28)
- Southampton v Arsenal (December 26)
- Newcastle United v West Ham United (January 16)
- Liverpool v Manchester United (January 16)
- Crystal Palace v Liverpool (March 5)
- Manchester City v Manchester United (March 16)
- Southampton v Manchester City (April 30)
- AFC Bournemouth v West Brom Albion (May 7)
