Liverpool is set to begin its 2025-26 Premier League title defense by hosting Bournemouth in the season`s opening match. Newly promoted sides also learn their fate: Sunderland starts at home against West Ham United, Leeds welcomes Everton, and Burnley faces an away trip to Tottenham. The Burnley vs. Tottenham match will mark Thomas Frank`s debut as Tottenham manager.
While Frank`s Spurs visit Manchester City on the second weekend, their subsequent schedule appears more favorable, offering an opportunity to build momentum as they won`t face another club from last season`s top five until late November.
A highlight of the opening weekend features Arsenal taking on Manchester United. Once a fixture with title implications, it now sees last season`s second-place team meet the side that finished 15th. Arsenal faces a challenging start overall, with two of their most difficult away matches occurring within their first six league games.
Although every team eventually plays each opponent home and away, the timing of these fixtures significantly impacts clubs across the league, providing opportunities to establish momentum early in the season. Here’s what stands out about the early games:
Manchester City`s Potentially Gentle Start
Considering their involvement in the Club World Cup earlier in the summer (potentially running into mid-July), Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City side seems to have avoided a brutal opening schedule, unlike some title rivals. While no start is truly `easy`, their first six matches include only one opponent from last season`s top five. An away game at Wolves on the opening weekend and a trip to Brighton in gameweek three seem like manageable tests, provided City is in form.
The key unknown is the form of opponents like Tottenham (17th last season) and Manchester United (15th). Tottenham has a new manager in Thomas Frank; it remains to be seen if they gel quickly. Manchester United often performs better at the Etihad, but the quality gap is significant. Navigating a match against Arsenal in gameweek five appears to be City`s biggest early hurdle. If they succeed, the path looks smoother until November, offering a chance to accumulate points and potentially build an early lead.
Title Rivals Face Tougher Early Tests
Other title contenders will need strong starts to keep pace if City finds its rhythm early. Liverpool begins its defense at home to Bournemouth but faces tougher challenges soon after, including trips to Newcastle and Arsenal in August. September includes a Merseyside derby at home against Everton. The pressure mounts later with away games at Chelsea and Brentford, plus a home tie against Manchester United. Liverpool`s new manager, Arne Slot, will hope new signings quickly integrate before the season kicks off.
Arsenal faces a particularly demanding start. Their first six games include daunting away trips to Old Trafford, Anfield, and St. James` Park (Newcastle). Home games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City are also tricky. The upside is that many of their toughest fixtures will be played early, potentially leading to a more favorable schedule after January. The question is whether they can earn enough points early on to remain competitive and capitalize on that later run.
Challenging Start for Manchester United
Statistical analysis suggests Manchester United has the league`s most difficult opening run, facing opponents with a high average rating. While this metric can be skewed by playing stronger teams, it reflects a genuine challenge, especially given United`s poor form last season (18 defeats from 38 games, their worst league finish since 1973-74). While relegation is unlikely, being in the bottom three after facing a sequence of tough fixtures is a distinct possibility.
Everton`s Opportunity to Settle into New Stadium
Everton`s first Premier League game at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, hosting Brighton on August 23, marks a new chapter. Moving to a new ground can sometimes disrupt a team`s rhythm and fan atmosphere initially. However, Everton`s early home fixtures appear relatively manageable, including games against Aston Villa, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Tottenham after the Brighton opener. While no Premier League match is easy, this schedule offers David Moyes` side a chance to build familiarity and turn their new stadium into a fortress before facing tougher tests like the Merseyside derby against Liverpool in April.
Sunderland`s Gentle Introduction to Premier League
Newly promoted Sunderland seems to have received a favorable introduction to the top flight after a nine-year absence. They begin at home against West Ham, followed by an away trip to fellow promoted side Burnley. Crucially, they won`t face any of last season`s top four until October, with the remaining three top-four opponents arriving in a concentrated period from November 8.
Fellow promoted teams Leeds and Burnley also have schedules that suggest opportunities to earn early points. A strong start could be crucial for all three promoted clubs hoping to avoid immediate relegation back to the Championship.
Premier League Opening Day Fixtures
Here are the fixtures scheduled for the opening weekend (All times ET):
Friday, August 15
- Liverpool vs. Bournemouth (3 p.m.)
Saturday, 16 August
- Aston Villa vs. Newcastle (7:30 a.m.)
- Brighton vs. Fulham (10 a.m.)
- Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford (10 a.m.)
- Sunderland vs. West Ham (10 a.m.)
- Tottenham vs. Burnley (10 a.m.)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City (12:30 p.m.)
Sunday, 17 August
- Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (9 a.m.)
- Manchester United vs. Arsenal (11:30 a.m.)
Monday, 18 August
- Leeds vs. Everton (3 p.m.)
