Just 18 days after the conclusion of the 2022-23 Premier League season, the fixtures of the 2023-24 campaign have been released.
It’s going to be another season of ups and downs, giant-killing results and underdog upsets and Afrosport takes a look at three teams that have received favourable opponents on the opening weekend that starts on August 12 and another three teams that will be sweating their heads over the opponents they will get to face.
Winners
Manchester United
The Red Devils begin their campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14 at Old Trafford.
United started last season playing at home to an efficient Brighton & Hove Albion and lost 2-1 before getting bashed 4-0 by Brentford in the following game. They adjusted after those games and ultimately ended the season in third place.
Our opening act of 2023/24 has been announced! ????
Featuring ➡ Wolves
Location ➡ Old Trafford
Set begins ➡ 20:00 BST#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/or9YbnGz4c— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 15, 2023
There has been clear improvement from United under manager Erik ten Hag and starting off the new campaign against a Wolves side they defeated 3-0 on aggregate last season is a fair fixture. Wolves used to be a thorn in the flesh for Man United, sometimes getting upset victories over the 13-time Premier League champions. The men in red however seem to have gotten a hang of how to get the better of the Midlands outfit.
Arsenal
The Gunners will not want to look back at the 2022-23 season after surrendering their months-long lead at summit of the log to Manchester City.
Finishing second was however still a credible feat as the North London outfit returns to UEFA Champions League for the first time in six years.
???? CONFIRMED: Our opening match of the @premierleague season against Nottingham Forest will kick off at 12.30 (UK) on Saturday August 12. pic.twitter.com/olHUWlDCum
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 15, 2023
They will kick off their quest to challenge for the title against Nottingham Forest on August 12. Although Steve Cooper’s side defeated Mikel Arteta’s men last term to effectively end Arsenal’s title hopes courtesy of Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s lone strike while the East Midlands outfit secured their survival status, this was at the City Ground where Forest are known to be strong.
Away from home, Forest struggled and Arsenal can use home advantage to build a strong start to the season.
Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls earned rave reviews last season after securing lots of big results with an impressive style of play under managers Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi that ultimately led then to a sixth place finish and European qualification for the first time in their history.
First up, it's the @premierleague new boys… ???? pic.twitter.com/KcaZTsIT6A
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 15, 2023
Brighton will begin their 2023-24 season against newly-promoted Luton Town and while this might present some unknown, Brighton play at the Amex stadium. Having become a Premier League household name and not forgetting how they got the better of Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the previous season, facing the Hatters is a favourable fixture.
Losers
Burnley
The Clarets are back to the top flight at the first time of asking after relegating during the 2021-22 season.
Under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, Burnley were reinvented, playing a progressive and attack-oriented style of play, ultimately winning the Championship with 101 points.
It's Manchester City at Turf Moor to kickstart our @PremierLeague campaign ⚽ pic.twitter.com/4iaU3dxRGm
— Burnley FC ???? (@BurnleyOfficial) June 15, 2023
Kompany will however not be pleased as he has to open the campaign against his former club as player and reigning champions Manchester City, going head to head with Pep Guardiola who he also played under.
City will be fired up having lifted the treble last season. The Citizens will also take confidence from their 6-0 bashing of the Clarets in the FA quarter-finals last season. Though Burnley will be at home for their season opener, it is set to potentially be a long evening for Kompany.
Tottenham Hotspur
The Lilywhites had a miserable season previously as they finished in eighth place and failed to make it into an European competition for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
Spurs now have a new manager in Ange Postecoglou having joined from reigning Scottish Premiership champions Celtic. The Australian tactician however faces a daunting task as he travels a short distance across London to face Brentford on the opening day of the season.
A trip to Brentford up first ???? pic.twitter.com/0sX4X1xz2s
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 15, 2023
The Bees drew with Spurs 2-2 in their first league encounter before bashing them 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, finishing one point behind the North London outfit in ninth.
Brentford might not be with lead striker Ivan Toney who is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules but they can confidently do well in his absence, with Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo and DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa stepping up on occasion.
Chelsea
The Blues had their most miserable campaign in the Premier League era last term, finishing a dismal 12th, eight points away from the top half of the table.
Despite spending more than £600 million on new players since the consortium led by American billionaire Todd Boehly took over the club last summer, the West London outfit simply could not get going.
Day 1: Liverpool. ???? pic.twitter.com/vSK0rTUewo
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 15, 2023
There is a new lease of life at Stamford Bridge with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino taking charge last month. It is a return to the Premier League for the Argentine tactician since 2019 but he will not be happy with his first official game as he has to take on Liverpool at home on the opening day.
Pochettino struggled to beat Jurgen Klopp while he was at Spurs and he certainly would not want to match up with German tactician so early on his new job that might require a lot reconstruction.
