The Premier League fixture list for 2022/23 has been released, and FFT has analyzed every team's journey from start to end.
Following the announcement of the Premier League fixture list on Thursday morning, football fans around the country will be pouring over it.
While all teams will face each other twice throughout the season, the sequence in which the games are played can have a considerable influence on their results.
Given the increased fixture congestion produced by the 2022 World Cup in November and December, an easy or difficult run at a crucial time might build or upset momentum.
FFT analyzed the whole 2022/23 Premier League calendar using an aggregate of prominent bookmakers' odds and found the most important runs to assist decode this season's fixtures.
Manchester City will enter the new season as favorites to win the Premier League for the third year in a row, especially after a promising start to the season.
In August, Pep Guardiola's team hosts two promoted opponents and does not face any of the traditional 'big six' until mid-September, when they welcome Tottenham.
Arsenal had a poor start to the season in 2021-22, losing their first three games by an aggregate of nine goals to nil, but will expect to fare much better this season, with a trip to Old Trafford in September being the only one of their first eight games against a team expected to finish in the top six.
Crystal Palace finished 12th last season after gaining 10 points from their final six games under Patrick Vieira.
This came after they overcame a stumbling start, in which they faced six of the seven hardest clubs in their first ten games, according to pre-season odds.
Vieira's team has been dealt some difficult starting games once again, with a home match against Arsenal on the first day and journeys to Liverpool and Man City in two of the next three weekends.
Palace will have a couple of easier runs later in the season, as they face the three promoted sides in consecutive fixtures either side of the World Cup in November and December, before repeating the process in the last three games of the season.
On their return to the Premier League, Bournemouth will face a difficult schedule.
After facing Aston Villa at home to start the season, Scott Parker's side will face Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool in that order.
Nottingham Forest will return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence by facing four of the bookies' expected top eight teams in August. Steve Cooper's team will have it easier in September, as they welcome their fellow promoted clubs at home on either side of a trip to Leeds, who nearly avoided relegation last season.
Forest, Bournemouth, and Leeds have all been given difficult run-ins, with two of the 'big six' appearing in their last four games.
Brentford will also be desperate for points by mid-April, as they face Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham among their last six opponents.
Southampton had a dismal conclusion to the season, with only one point from their final six games. Three of Saints' first five games this season are against clubs projected to compete for a top-four spot, putting manager Ralph Hasenhuttl under early pressure.
Wolves, like Southampton, finished last season with a whimper, picking up only two points from their final seven games, but unlike the Saints, their opening matchups provide a chance to rebound. They play four of their first six league games against teams who are projected to struggle this season, including two freshly promoted teams.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, on the other hand, gets some credit after his team finished the season well, winning 12 points from their final six games in 2021-22.
The Magpies are considered the top competitors to the 'big six' by bookies, but their credentials will be put to the test in games against Liverpool and Manchester City before the end of August.
October is going to be a dangerous month for the Red Devils.
Manchester United's squad depth will be put to the test in October, when they must juggle three Europa League group games with a demanding Premier League schedule.
The Red Devils have six difficult league encounters this month, starting with a Manchester derby at the Etihad and including a trip to Chelsea immediately following Tottenham's midweek visit.
Erik ten Hag has been given some leeway by the schedule computer, with the mid-season break for the World Cup sandwiched between matches against two of the promoted teams and a reasonably easy run-in.
Man City, Liverpool, and Tottenham have been granted beneficial matchups either side of the Qatar extravaganza, with international players likely to have one eye on the World Cup by the time November comes around.
With games against three of last season's top four scheduled around the World Cup, Thomas Frank's Brentford might once again feel cheated. The Bees' problems are exacerbated by a trip to West Ham on New Year's Eve, only two days before they visit Liverpool on January 2.
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