After the unusual ending to the last campaign, the Premier League 2020-21 season is set to begin at an unusual period but it will be more than welcomed by fans around the world who have been anticipating the return of the most prophesied league in the world.
Due to their participation in UEFA competitions extending the course of their season, both Manchester clubs will not feature in the first week of the season as their respective matches have been postponed. Hence, both Aston Villa and Burnley will also have the week off as the play Manchester City and United respectively.
Nonetheless, big names like defending champions Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will be in action against their respective opponents. Hence, we look at the fixtures of the opening week of the Premier League.
Fulham – Arsenal
With just a year spent in the Championship, Fulham return to the Premier League having won the Championship playoffs. Arsenal, a team they have lost to in their last five meetings visit them at Craven Cottage in the opening match of the new season.
Arsenal though are set to be without a number of players with the likes of David Luis, Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Pablo Mari among players sidelined. Mikel Arteta will have to call on William Saliba to partner Rob Holding at the heart of the defense against Fulham.
The Gunners will also be expected to secure maximum points against their newly promoted London neighbours.
Liverpool – Leeds
Defending champions Liverpool are at Anfield to welcome Championship winner Leeds United. The Reds are in good shape heading into this fixture with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the only player unavailable due to injury. While summer signing Kostantinos Tsimikas is a doubt.
Leeds United have been busy in the transfer market with Rodrigo Moreno, Robin Koch and Jack Harrison joining as Marcelo Bielsa looks to add more quality for his team to match the intensity of the competition in the Premier League.
Liverpool at Anfield should be able to get their season off to a winning start and see off the challenges of Leeds United to earn all three points in this fixture.
Crystal Palace – Southampton
Southampton have not record a lost in their last four meetings with Crystal Palace (W2, D2). Mohammed Salisu is the only summer arrival while Kyle Walker-Peters was signed on a permanent contract from Tottenham having spent the past season on loan at the club. Pierre Emile Højbjerg has left the club to join Tottenham.
Crystal Palace have had better fortunes compared to their opponents in the transfer window, Eberechi Eze, Nathan Ferguson and Michy Batshuayi have been welcomed by Roy Hodgson’s side.
Both sides will be looking for a victory to get their season off to a perfect start and it will be interesting to see how they approach the game in order to get their target result.
West Ham United – Newcastle United
West Ham United were able to escape relegation last season with a run of good results in the later stages of the season. The new season may get better if they can continue where they stopped last season. Newcastle United stand in their way of starting the season with a win.
The Magpies have been the better side in their recent meetings winning two and drawing one of the last three. Jamal Lewis, Ryan Fraser, callum Wilson, Jeff Hendrick and goalkeeper Mark Gillespie are the new arrivals at the St James’.
West Bromwich Albion – Leicester City
Leicester City endured a dismal ending to last season having started brightly. Their dip in form since January cost them their place in the champions league. Lost Ben Chilwell to Chelsea in the transfer window and have signed midfielder Timothy Castagne from Atalanta.
They travel to newly promoted West Brom on Sunday with a lot of first team players injured while defender, Jonny Evans is suspended due to his red card against Manchester United on the final day of last season. Not much can be said about West Brom though as we anticipate what Slaven Bilic have to offer after spending two seasons in the Championship.
Tottenham Hotspur – Everton
Tottenham host Everton in what could be considered the biggest fixture of matchday one. Jose Mourinho’s side sealed sixth place finish last season on the final day but the Portuguese’ target this season will be to go better than last season. Pierre Emile Højbjerg and Matt Doherty are the two infield additions while Joe Hart was signed on a free transfer as back up for Hugo Lloris.
Their opponent, Everton have signed top players with James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucouré arriving at the Goodison Park this summer. Regardless of the outcome of this clash, Everton will be one of the teams to watch out for in the English topflight this season.
Brighton & Hove Albion – Chelsea
Chelsea will kickstart their campaign on Monday night when they travel to Brighton in a match they are favourites to win. The Blues have has a busy summer with several players arriving as Frank Lampard adds more firepower to his squad after having their transfer ban lifted.
The Chelsea boss said in a recent interview that new signings Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva will not be available for their trip on Monday due to injuries and other reasons.
Adam Lallana will also be making his official debut on the night having joined Brighton from Liverpool on a free transfer earlier in the transfer window.
Sheffield United – Wolverhampton Wonderers
Sheffield United host Wolverhampton Wonderers on Monday night. The two teams impressed in the last campaign with Wolves finishing seventh while United finished ninth. Both team will be looking to build on the success of last season and get off the mark in their first fixture but stand in the way of each other.
Sheffield United won and drew in their meetings last season in closely contested ties that saw three goals in the two fixtures, Sheffield (2) Wolves (1). It will be difficult to predict a winner as only few things separate both sides.
Exciting fixtures all around in the first week as we keep our fingers crossed to see what shape the table will take after Monday night matches.
