Will Man City vs Liverpool be decisive again? Who will reign in London? Can Man Utd get off to a fast start?
Thursday 13 June 2019 11:50, UK
From fierce derbies to title-race clashes, here are 10 games you won't want to miss in the Premier League next season...
What a way to start the new season! There will be plenty of intrigue around this one at Old Trafford on the opening Super Sunday. With Manchester United expected to spend big, will their new signings click and offer the home supporters hope for the campaign ahead? And what will the situation be at Chelsea - will Maurizio Sarri be in charge or could this be Frank Lampard's first-ever Premier League game in charge of the Blues?
Regardless of Manchester United's plight, their Premier League contests with Liverpool remain among the most hotly-anticipated fixtures of the season. Their October meeting will be no different. While Solskjaer's side may have to content themselves with the role of disruptors, title-hopefuls Liverpool will be eager to underline their current power with a memorable - and important - win over their fierce rivals.
After their Community Shield appetiser on August 4, fans and neutrals alike will be licking their lips at the prospect of last season's top two going head-to-head at Anfield in November. City's 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in 2018/19 was ultimately decisive in the title race and the winner of this match-up will be handed a major boost in the pursuit of honours this time around.
Wolves' brilliant first season back in the Premier League will offer a good template for neighbours Aston Villa to follow, with Dean Smith intent on a front-foot approach like counterpart Nuno. But will the Championship play-off winners have the quality to impose their style in the top flight? Their November date with a Wolves side who managed to do just that will be a good gauge amid what should be an electric atmosphere.
Only a last-gasp Jordan Pickford blunder cost Everton in December's Merseyside derby and they held their local rivals to a costly goalless draw at Goodison Park in March. Marco Silva's improving side have potential to cause Liverpool problems again in this midweek clash ahead of a busy festive period - but can they really end a nine-year wait for local bragging rights?
Manchester United trailed local rivals Manchester City by a vast 32 points by the end of last season. While they are planning to spend large sums to try to bridge that divide this summer, their match-up in December will highlight how successful those attempts have been. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had strong words to say about his side's character after their defeat to City at Old Trafford in April. Will he get a response and an early Christmas present?
Norwich's date with Bournemouth may not be the first fixture fans of the newly-promoted side look for but it could prove to be the most exciting. Norwich were the Championship's top team last season and they were also the division's chief entertainers, scoring 93 times but letting in 57, more than seven other sides. Meanwhile, Bournemouth were providing value for money in the Premier League, with their supporters seeing 16 games with four goals or more. Expect entertainment.
For all their problems last season, Chelsea still managed to claim a European trophy to go along with their League Cup runners-up medals and, most surprisingly, a third-place finish above a far more heralded Tottenham team. The Blues have been hit by the loss of Eden Hazard but their motivation for landing another blow on their London rivals won't be dimmed.
Graham Potter has been brought in at Brighton to improve their style of play but pretty passing moves may be supplanted by passion and power on 29 February when they host Crystal Palace in this increasingly heated rivalry. There was a red card inside 28 minutes and five yellow cards in their clash at Brighton last season.
The power switch in north London was plainly evident last season, with Tottenham reaching their first-ever Champions League final in thrilling fashion while rivals Arsenal failed to qualify for the competition for a third season in a row. In the first derby between the sides in Spurs' illustrious new stadium, Mauricio Pochettino's men will be eager to underline their new superior status - especially with their match coming at a crucial point in the run-in.
From the 2019/20 season in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports customers will be able to enjoy:
The new season is scheduled to start on Friday August 9 and will conclude on Sunday May 17.
Meanwhile, the Community Shield between Manchester City and Liverpool will take place on Sunday August 4.
The Champions League final will be played in Istanbul on May 30 - two weeks before the start of Euro 2020 on June 12.
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