The Premier League 2022-23 season will begin with a London derby as Crystal Palace host Arsenal on August 5, while Erik ten Hag will start his reign at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
It’s a case of deja-vu for Arsenal who travel across the English capital on a Friday night (8pm kick-off) for the top-flight’s curtain-raiser. They did so last season too, but lost 2-0 at Brentford.
The Gunners will be looking to atone for their last trip to Selhurst Park, where they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in April.
Two days after Arsenal kick-off the season, the focus will shift up north as Ten Hag’s United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford (2pm).
The Dutchman can expect a rapturous receptions from the Red Devils fan base who will be hoping he can turn around their fortunes after dismal 2021-22.
United fans will still be scarred by the 4-0 thumping they took on the south coast last month too.
Elsewhere on the opening day of the season, champions Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League crown at West Ham (August 7, 4.30pm) while title rivals Liverpool travel to newly-promoted Fulham (August 6, 12.30pm).
Championship play-off winners Nottingham Forest, who return to the top flight after 23 years away, begin their campaign away at Newcastle United (August 6, 3pm) – who will be hoping they can ride their momentum from the back end of last term into the new one.
Bournemouth, who finished second in the Championship behind Fulham, are afforded a home fixture on the opening day as they welcome Aston Villa (August 6, 3pm).
Elsewhere on the opening day, there’ll be an interest sub-plot at Goodison Park as Everton boss Frank Lampard faces his old club Chelsea (August 6, 5.30pm).
There are some mouthwatering fixtures in August beyond the opening round of fixtures.
In the second week of the season, (currently August 13 although subject to change due to TV) Chelsea face bitter rivals Tottenham – in an early test of both team’s title credentials.
Then a week later, English football’s two most successful sides clash as Manchester United welcome Liverpool (weekend of August 20).
Liverpool supporters will be going into this clash full of fond memories having thrashed their bitter 5-0 at Old Trafford last season. They then followed that up with a 4-0 win at Anfield later that campaign.
That is the first true test of Ten Hag’s management with his second game in charge before that away at Brentford (weekend of August 13). His fifth game is away at Leicester (August 30, 7.45pm) and sixth at home to Arsenal (weekend of September 3), in a tricky start.
Nearer at the top, City have the kinder fixtures on paper than Liverpool to begin the season and try and build some momentum.
After West Ham, Pep Guardiola’s side then face Bournemouth (H), Newcastle United (A), Crystal Palace (H), Nottingham Forest (A) and Aston Villa (A).
In comparison, after travelling to Fulham; Liverpool face Crystal Palace (H), Manchester United (A), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle United (H), Everton (A).
Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest will be eagerly anticipating their start to the season and they all have tough starts.
Fulham’s first six games read Liverpool (H), Wolves (A), Brentford (H), Arsenal (A), Brighton (H) and Tottenham (A).
Bournemouth’s are Aston Villa (H), Manchester City (A), Arsenal (A), Liverpool (A), Wolves (H) and Nottingham Forest (A).
And Forest begin with Newcastle United (A), West Ham (H), Everton (A), Tottenham (H), Manchester City (A) and Bournemouth (H).
Aside from Chelsea vs Tottenham and Everton vs Liverpool (weekend of September 3), the weekend of October 1 is a date to mark as we’re treated to Arsenal vs Tottenham and Manchester City vs Manchester United. Two weeks later for City they head to Liverpool (weekend of October 15).
With the World Cup taking place in the middle of the season and the season pausing on November 12, the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day with the standout fixtures being Arsenal against West Ham in a London derby and Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa hosting Liverpool.
On New Year’s Eve, Liverpool versus Leicester City catches the eye as Brendan Rodgers returns to his old side.
And kicking off 2023 on January 2 currently we have the *small* (it isn’t small) matter of Chelsea entertaining Manchester City.
As we move into next year, April 1 will prove to be no joke as Manchester City face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium – a fixture which is certainly bound to have a bearing on the title race. A week after the Reds then play Arsenal (April 8, 2023) in what could be a pivotal period for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The penultimate week of the season is another date to look out for at the top as Manchester City welcome Chelsea (May 20, 2023).
Neutrals will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s drama – where Manchester City pipped Liverpool to the title thanks to a stunning 3-2 comeback win against Aston Villa.
This time around Guardiola’s side travel to Brentford, while Liverpool are also on the road – heading to the south coast and against Southampton (both May 28, 2023 – 4pm).
For the newly-promoted sides, Nottingham Forest head to Crystal Palace, Bournemouth go to Everton and Fulham travel to Manchester United as Ten Hag concludes his first season at the Old Trafford helm.
