Tough Opening for Emery

Today saw the release of the 2018/19 Premier League fixtures and what an opening day it will be for the Premier League’s newest arrival, Unai Emery.

If it wasn’t going to be hard enough anyway to fill the legacy that Arsene Wenger created, his first test is to face the reigning Premier League Champions Manchester City in his first fixture. The only comfort for Emery may be in the fact that the majority of the City squad should be in action during the latter stages of the World Cup and this might just play into Arsenal’s favour if they return jaded from their International exploits, we will see……..

New boys Fulham entertain Crystal Palace in what will be one of many London derbies taking place across the season. Something that many feel hinders the progress of the bigger London clubs in their chase for the Premier League Title. Such is the rivalry and intensity of the games, there is never an easy fixture in the capital.

Premier League Opening Week Fixtures 2018/19

Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolves v Everton

Race for the Title

Although Manchester City ran away with the league last season, the challengers will be seeking to get a lot closer and bring in some new recruits to bolster their squads, ahead of the start of the season.

The Premier league this year have brought in their transfer deadline day to ensure it closes before the start of the season. This year the 9th of August is the date for your diaries to see whether your team can secure those signings before the first game. The European deadline finishes later, the request to move the Premier League deadline came after many clubs complained that the uncertainty around players unsettled clubs preparations, long after the season kick off.

Selected Key Fixtures for 2018

25th of August – Man Utd v Tottenham
29th of September – Chelsea v Liverpool
6th of October – Liverpool v Man City
20th of October – Chelsea v Man Utd
27th of October – Tottenham v Man City
3rd of November – Arsenal v Liverpool
10th of November – Man City v Man Utd
1st of December – Arsenal v Tottenham / Liverpool v Everton
8th of December –  Chelsea v Man City

15th of December – Liverpool v Man Utd

2019 will kick off with a cracker on New Years day where Man City will take on Liverpool at the Etihad. Many experts are tipping this as a potential title decider and with Liverpool proving to be City’s bogey team of last season, with a more consistent challenge who knows it might just be Liverpool’s year.

Check back in to SPORTSvox post World Cup to view our season preview and latest transfer insights affecting the Premier League.