What Premier League fixtures follow European matches in 2015/16 season

Following the announcement of the 2015/16 Premier League fixtures, we investigate what matches teams will face immediately after a European encounter next season.

In total, there could be as many as eight teams in Europe when the new campaign gets underway, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all competing in the Champions League, and Manchester United will also join them should they win their two-legged play-off in August.

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Liverpool have qualified for next season’s Europa League, with Southampton and West Ham United set to take part in Europe’s second-tier competition as well if they emerge successfully from their qualifying-round ties this summer.

And the managers of those eight clubs will no doubt have been closely examining the release of next season’s league fixtures to see just how tough their schedules are in the immediate aftermath of a midweek European contest, with some sure to be far happier than others…

Post-Champions League schedules:

CHELSEA
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has history when it comes to highlighting how tough his side’s games have been after a Champions League fixture, and the Portuguese is once again going to be miffed when he sees the Blues’ schedule next season.

The Champions have only two home matches following a midweek European encounter, with the first of those against title rivals Arsenal, while they also face a daunting trip to Spurs after their matchday 5 contest.

Sept 19: Arsenal (h)

Oct 3: Southampton (h)

Oct 24: West Ham (a)

Nov 7: Stoke (a)

Nov 28: Spurs (a)

Dec 12: Leicester (a)

MANCHESTER CITY
In contrast, City enjoy four home games after their Champions League fixtures, and none against any of their main title rivals, although Manuel Pellegrini’s side must travel to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby following their matchday 3 encounter.

Sept 19: West Ham (h)

Oct 3: Newcastle (h)

Oct 24: Man Utd (a)

Nov 7: Aston Villa (a)

Nov 28: Southampton (h)

Dec 12: Swansea (h)

ARSENAL
Arsenal have an even split of home and away games following their Champions League fixtures next season, with the Gunners having to travel to champions Chelsea immediately after their opening group-stage encounter.

Arsene Wenger’s side also face three testing matches in succession at the Emirates against United, Everton and north London rivals Spurs on the back of their matchday 2, 3 and 4 contests.

Sept 19: Chelsea (a)

Oct 3: Man Utd (h)

Oct 24: Everton (h)

Nov 7: Spurs (h)

Nov 28: Norwich (a)

Dec 12: Aston Villa (a)

MANCHESTER UNITED
If United do manage to successfully navigate their play-off tie, then they will have to contend with playing four matches on the road in the immediate aftermath of their Champions League fixtures next season.

Two of those away games come following both their opening European contests and they are tough trips to Southampton and Arsenal, while after matchday 3 Louis van Gaal’s men entertain rivals City in the first Manchester derby of the campaign.

Sept 19: Southampton (a)

Oct 3: Arsenal (a)

Oct 24: Man City (h)

Nov 7: West Brom (h)

Nov 28: Leicester (a)

Dec 12: Bournemouth (a)

Post-Europa League schedules:

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spurs have three home and three away games after their Europa League fixtures next season, including the north London derby at the Emirates and the visit of champions Chelsea.

Sept 19: Crystal Palace (h)

Oct 3: Swansea (a)

Oct 24: Bournemouth (a)

Nov 7: Arsenal (a)

Nov 28: Chelsea (h)

Dec 12: Newcastle (h)

LIVERPOOL
Liverpool enjoy five home games directly after their Europa League group matches next season, although Brendan Rodgers’ side will face a trip across Stanley Park for the first Merseyside derby of the campaign following their matchday 2 contest.

Sept 19: Norwich (h)

Oct 3: Everton (a)

Oct 24: Southampton (h)

Nov 7: Crystal Palace (h)

Nov 28: Swansea (h)

Dec 12: West Brom (h)

SOUTHAMPTON
If Southampton qualify this summer, they will have to play matches on the road following their final five Europa League fixtures next season, including daunting-looking visits to Chelsea, Liverpool and City.

And the Saints will also host United in their only home game after their opening group-stage encounter.

Sept 19: Manchester United (h)

Oct 3: Chelsea (a)

Oct 24: Liverpool (a)

Nov 7: Sunderland (a)

Nov 28: Manchester City (a)

Dec 12: Crystal Palace (a)

WEST HAM UNITED
West Ham have four home games in a row following Europa League fixtures to conclude their European campaign next season, should they win their qualifying ties, including the visit of London rivals Chelsea to kick off that run of matches.

And recently appointed Hammers coach Slaven Bilic will also take his new team to the Etihad immediately after the club’s opening contest in Europe’s second-tier competition should they make it through their qualifying games

Sept 19: Manchester City (a)

Oct 3: Sunderland (a)

Oct 24: Chelsea (h)

Nov 7: Everton (h)

Nov 28: West Brom (h)

Dec 12: Stoke (h)