The 10 Premier League games that will shape the season: Liverpool's April Fool's Day visit to City is no joke in the title race, Tottenham's August trip to Chelsea is key - and ...
Just as one season ends another one prepares to begin and clubs will now be frantically planning after the release of the 2022-23 Premier League fixtures. Schedules get analysed to within an inch of their life, with fans looking for lean runs or nightmare periods, and that is all part of the fun of fixture release day. But when the schedules across the league are closely observed there are a number of dates, and matches, which could prove pivotal in shaping the season that plays out. Tottenham's aggressive start in the transfer market is a sign of their intent and they will need to back that up on matchday two away at Chelsea. Then, matchday three, all eyes will be on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United against Liverpool, with many fans still scarred from last season's 5-0 at Old Trafford. Fast forward and the Man City v Liverpool double header will catch the eye, as will Nottingham Forest's opening home game, a day that should tell us plenty about Steve Cooper's team. With a whole host of intriguing clashes coming up, Sportsmail has chosen 10 that could go on to shape the season - for better and for worse... Fixtures for the entire 2022-23 Premier League season were released on Thursday morning August 13, 2022 - Chelsea vs Tottenham The latest instalment of the 'Battle of the Bridge' perhaps? While very early in the campaign, this feels a match of huge significance in showing just how well equipped either of these teams are to try and break up the duopoly of Manchester City and Liverpool. It was a not-so-enjoyable return for Antonio Conte on his last league visit to Stamford Bridge. Spurs managed just 35 per cent possession, only three shots on target and they were routinely beaten 2-0. Tottenham face a tricky trip to Chelsea on matchday two in an early test of their credentials Conte stood motionless as his side got dominated. If Tottenham are to compete, seriously compete, this is a major opportunity early on to lay down a marker and put their rivals on notice. With new faces already through the door in Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma, who Sportsmail revealed is on his way after a £25million deal was agreed with Brighton, the Spurs boss is determined to try and upset the top order and build on a top four finish. While not fatal, another sub-par display at Stamford Bridge will see a similar cynicism creep in. August 13, 2022 - Nottingham Forest v West Ham What a day this is set to be, top flight football back at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest start on the road to Newcastle but this will be the date circled by many fans as the day of celebration. Steve Cooper's side lit up the Championship with their attacking football, with Wales starlet Brennan Johnson at the heart of it. Neutrals are keen to see how they cope and this match-up should tell us plenty about how ready they are for the grind of Premier League football. West Ham boss David Moyes has been around the block long enough to know a booby-trap when he sees one and his side will be bang at it. Lest we forget, the Hammers were Europa League semi-finalists last season and so if Forest can hold their own, use the feverish atmosphere to their advantage and get a result, any doubts on their capabilities to slug it out in the Premier League will fade fast. Nottingham Forest's opening home game will tell us plenty about what they can go on to do August 20, 2022 - Manchester United v Liverpool In a word: huge. If Erik ten Hag's season-opening game in charge of United is dipping his toe in the water against Brighton, consider matchday three, a visit from bitter rivals Liverpool, as being thrown firmly into the deep end. This is a fixture that can make or break Manchester United managers. It broke Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United were never able to shake themselves out from their malaise after Liverpool shellacked them 5-0 at Old Trafford. Never before had United lost by such a margin in this fixture at Old Trafford. It was, without exaggeration, historically bad. And interim boss Ralf Rangnick struggled, too. Not 5-0. Slightly better, 4-0. The gap between the sides has never felt greater. That is the challenge facing new boss Ten Hag and while it will take time for him to properly impart his ideas and coach better habits into these players, this is a match that feels like a must-not-lose. Win and some fans may dare to dream of what the new man can do. Erik ten Hag can have no repeat of Manchester United's 5-0 humiliation at home to Liverpool August 20, 2022 - Newcastle vs Man City Most of the eyes will be locked onto events at Old Trafford - and with good reason. But divert them up to the north east and you will find Newcastle United's first meeting against a Big Six side in 2022-23. Since Newcastle's Saudi takeover, expectation is slowly creeping up about what is possible.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0