As the opening day of the Premier League draws closer, here is a further insight into each fixture of the first and last game of the 2025/26 season, which could prove to be decisive at both ends of the table.
1st Week Fixtures
Friday 15th August:
20:00:
Liverpool V Bournemouth:
The current champions will be aiming to retain the Premier League title as they take on Bournemouth, who many would say were a surprise package last season.
Saturday 16th August:
12:30:
Aston Villa V Newcastle:
Aston Villa will host Newcastle at Villa Park as these teams both hope to continue their upwards trajectory in the table. These teams finished level on points, with Newcastle edging above into the final Champions League spot on goal difference, so Emery will urge his side to push on and compete.
15:00:
Brighton V Fulham:
Saturday football will then continue with Brighton V Fulham. These two teams had strong campaigns in the 24/25 season, both finishing comfortably mid-table. However, both teams will want to be challenging for European football next season, making this an intriguing match-up as an opening fixture.
Sunderland V West Ham:
Newly promoted Sunderland will host Graham Potter’s West Ham side at the Stadium Of Light. After play-off success, the main focus for the Black Cats will be survival, but they will need to be front-footed against a West Ham side with pace and attacking flair.
Spurs V Burnley:
Under new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs aspire to finish significantly higher than their 17th place finish last season. Burnley are looking to maintain their Premier League status this time around, with a rejuvenated Spurs being their first test.
17:30:
Wolves V Man City:
The later fixture will see Wolves take on Manchester City at Molineux. The 2 times that these played each other last season were quite cagey but ultimately ended with City winning both fixtures.
Sunday 17th August:
14:00:
Nottingham Forest V Brentford:
The aggregate score over the 2 fixtures between Forest and Brentford last season was 2-2, with both teams winning 2-0 away. So, we expect goals and excitement from this fixture.
Chelsea V Crystal Palace:
In a West V South London clash at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea seek a positive start to the 25/26 season at home. Nothing could separate these teams last season, with both games finishing 1-1, so both managers will want to secure their first 3 points of the season.
16:30:
Manchester United V Arsenal:
There were 13 places between these two Premier League giant's last season. Man Utd want to return to success with Amorim at the reigns, whilst Mikel Arteta pushes for the Title. This fixture always provides entertainment and, sometimes, controversy.
Monday 18th August:
20:00:
Leeds United V Everton:
After a deserved return to the Premier League, Leeds will take on Everton on Monday night under the lights at Elland Road. It is difficult to predict the occurrences in this game, as many feel that Leeds could be a surprise package and have a high chance of survival.
Last Week Fixtures
Sunday 24th May:
18:00:
With dates and times of fixtures yet to be confirmed for the end of the season, all matches are scheduled for 18:00 on Sunday 24th May.
Brighton V Manchester United:
The Seagulls will start and end the season at the Amex, as they face Manchester United on the final day. If Manchester United see a change in fortune, this could end up being a battle for a European spot as both teams want to compete at a higher level in the coming seasons.
Burnley V Wolves:
Burnley will conclude their return to the Premier league at home against Wolves. The Clarets will hope to be safe by then, but this game could play a huge part in the league they compete in the following season.
Crystal Palace V Arsenal:
Arsenal will travel to Selhurst Park on the final day to face Crystal Palace. The Gunners are hoping that this is their season to win it, but a tough final fixture against Palace will be their final challenge despite having good form against the Eagles, winning 4 out of their last 5 fixtures against them in all competitions.
Fulham V Newcastle:
Eddie Howe’s men will face Fulham at Craven Cottage as the curtain closes on the 25/26 season. Newcastle will hope for both Champions League and Premier League success, whilst Fulham will be looking to take notes from Newcastle’s success. Fulham beat Newcastle twice last season and will be looking to do so on the final day.
Liverpool V Brentford:
The reigning champions will host Brentford at Anfield on the final day, as Arne Slot will look to retain the title. During their first season without Thomas Frank, the Bees will want to use this game to understand where they can aim for in the following season.
Manchester City V Aston Villa:
Pep Guardiola will be hoping for a more successful season than last year, as their final test is Aston Villa at the Etihad. Unai Emery will be desperate for the Champions League spot, with this possibly being a decisive fixture in how the top 6 ends up.
Nottingham Forest V Bournemouth:
Forest will end their 25/26 campaign at the City Ground against Bournemouth. There was a 9-point gap between these teams last season, but the 3 points in this final fixture will no doubt have a big say in who sneaks into the European spots.
Sunderland V Chelsea:
Chelsea will travel to the Stadium of Light on the final day. Sunderland will be hopeful that this is not a make or break for their Premier League status, given it being such a challenging fixture. These teams last faced each other in 2017, in which Chelsea ran out 5-1 winners, so Sunderland will be hoping there is not a repeat of the previous scoreline.
Spurs V Everton:
On the final day, Spurs will take on Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Last season, Spurs convincingly beat Everton 4-0 at home and will be looking to do so again in May to qualify for European football after an underwhelming 17th-place finish last season.
West Ham V Leeds:
West Ham V Leeds makes up the last of the final day fixtures. Graham Potter will hope that this is the final game of a successful season for The Hammers, whilst Leeds will want to secure survival. Last facing off in 2023, West ham secured a 3-1 victory, with goals from Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Manuel Lanzini. Leeds will not want a repeat of this result in hope of avoiding relegation.
All these fixtures are subject to change, with some being shown live on Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sky Spots
WRITTEN BY: Jessica Britchford
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