Following the announcement of the Premier League fixtures for the 2016/17 season, we look at five big talking points.
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Derby days
New Manchester managers Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will not have to wait long for their first taste of a derby, with Guardiola’s City travelling to Old Trafford on September 10. Before that, London rivals Chelsea and West Ham United meet at Stamford Bridge on the opening day, with north-east rivals Sunderland and Middlesbrough shaping up on the second weekend. Arsenal and Tottenham must wait a little longer — they are slated to meet on November 5 — while Liverpool and Everton first clash on December 17 at Christmas at Goodison Park.
Chelsea can finish with a flourish
If Chelsea are still in the running for the title with three games remaining, new manager Antonio Conte might be heartened by their run-in. Chelsea have home games against newly-promoted Middlesbrough and perennial strugglers Sunderland, with a trip to West Bromwich Albion sandwiched in between.
Did the league listen to Sam?
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said earlier this year it was “diabolical” top-flight clubs had Premier League fixtures the Tuesday and Wednesday after FA Cup third-round weekend. There is no midweek programme this year, and Sunderland are at home before and after.
... But make him pay elsewhere?
When the fixtures come out, many fans check their first day, Boxing Day and last day opponents. Sunderland fans may not like what they see. They are at City, United and Chelsea respectively. Four other teams are also on the road in these three rounds, Stoke City, Tottenham, West Brom and West Ham. In contrast, five teams get lucky with three home games — Arsenal, Chelsea, Burnley, Hull and Southampton.
Congestion
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said the biggest challenge facing Guardiola would be adapting to the busiest fixture list in the world. The 2016/17 campaign finishes a week later than it did this year because there is no European Championship, but clubs still face three games in a week between December 26 and January 2.
