Early tests await Premier League’s biggest clubs

Published on

The 2025/26 Premier League fixtures have landed and the countdown to kick-off is on. With plenty of movement in the transfer market already, clubs will be eyeing a strong start as the new season begins on the weekend of 15 August.

We’ve picked out the opening five games for some of the title contenders – here’s who they’ll face in the early weeks.

Manchester City

Man City begin their campaign away to Wolves, followed by a blockbuster against Spurs at home. Brighton and Man United come next before a trip to Arsenal caps off a loaded first five.

Fixtures:

Sat 16 Aug – Wolves (A)

Sat 23 Aug – Spurs (H)

Sat 30 Aug – Brighton (A)

Sat 13 Sep – Man United (H)

Sat 20 Sep – Arsenal (A)

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta’s side head to Old Trafford on the opening weekend. After that, it’s a run of three home games – including a visit from Manchester City.

Fixtures:

Sun 17 Aug – Man United (A)

Sat 23 Aug – Leeds (H)

Sat 30 Aug – Liverpool (A)

Sat 13 Sep – Nott’m Forest (H)

Sat 20 Sep – Man City (H)

Liverpool

Anfield will host Friday night football when Liverpool open against Bournemouth. Trips to Newcastle and Burnley follow, before Everton visit in a Merseyside Derby.

Fixtures:

Fri 15 Aug – Bournemouth (H)

Sat 23 Aug – Newcastle (A)

Sat 30 Aug – Arsenal (H)

Sat 13 Sep – Burnley (A)

Sat 20 Sep – Everton (H)

Manchester United

United face Arsenal and Chelsea in their first five, with Fulham and Burnley in between. They meet Man City in a mouth-watering derby on 13 September.

Fixtures:

Sun 17 Aug – Arsenal (H)

Sat 23 Aug – Fulham (A)

Sat 30 Aug – Burnley (H)

Sat 13 Sep – Man City (A)

Sat 20 Sep – Chelsea (H)

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs open at home to Burnley before a tough trip to the Etihad. Bournemouth visit on matchday three, with away days at West Ham and Brighton to follow.

Fixtures:

Sat 16 Aug – Burnley (H)

Sat 23 Aug – Man City (A)

Sat 30 Aug – Bournemouth (H)

Sat 13 Sep – West Ham (A)

Sat 20 Sep – Brighton (A)

Newcastle United

The Magpies kick off away against Aston Villa, followed by a home clash with Liverpool. After that, they are away against Leeds United before a home game against Chelsea and finish their first five with an away game against Man City.

Fixtures:

Sat 16 Aug – Aston Villa (A)

Sat 23 Aug – Liverpool (H)

Sat 30 Aug – Leeds United (A)

Sat 13 Sep – Chelsea (H)

Sat 20 Sep – Manchester City (A)

Aston Villa

Villa host Newcastle first up. They’ll face Brentford and Palace in the next two, before away games against Everton and newly promoted Sunderland.

Fixtures:

Sat 16 Aug – Newcastle (H)

Sat 23 Aug – Brentford (A)

Sat 30 Aug – Crystal Palace (H)

Sat 13 Sep – Everton (A)

Sat 20 Sep – Sunderland (A)

Chelsea

Chelsea kick off at home against Crystal Palace. They then face away games against Wolves and Tottenham before hosting Brighton. Their first five ends with a tough trip to Arsenal.

Fixtures:
Sat 16 Aug – Crystal Palace (H)
Sat 23 Aug – Wolves (A)
Sat 30 Aug – Tottenham (A)
Sat 13 Sep – Brighton (H)
Sat 20 Sep – Arsenal (A)

Looking Ahead

Plenty to get excited about in the opening five rounds. Matches like Man United vs Arsenal on 17 August, Liverpool vs Arsenal on 30 August and Man City vs Spurs on 23 August should set the tone.

Expect fireworks early. By the time spring arrives, we’ll already know who’s serious. More to follow.

Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Post by

Lukhanyo Gqokoma