EPL opening weekend beckons
The 2023-24 English Premier League (EPL) schedule has been released and the opening weekend is less than two months away.
Matchweek One will see the defending champions Manchester City back in action after their treble-winning season, along with three newly-promoted sides. There will also be a showdown between two of the more dominant sides over the past decade and a chance for players to impress in new locations.
Here are the top EPL matches to watch on opening weekend.
The best EPL matches on opening weekend
Champions in action: Burnley vs. Manchester City
Newly-promoted side Burnley earned its spot back in the Premier League by winning the EFL Championship with a dominant record of 29 wins, 14 draws, and only three losses. They start their campaign with a home defense against Man City, who just had one of the best seasons in league history.
the Citizens have proven to be the most consistent team in the country over the past decade
The latter could lose players such as Riyad Mahrez, İlkay Gündoğan and Kyle Walker, but will still have Ballon d’Or Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and many other stars. The Citizens have proven to be the most consistent team in the country over the past decade and are at the top of their game.
“Big Six” showdown: Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Chelsea was in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons in 2022-23, whether it be spending over $600m or cycling through four managers just to finish 12th in the league. They are expected to have a busy offseason and could see more than ten players sold or released from the club as they hit a firm reset under incoming manager Maurizio Pochettino.
desperately trying to find younger alternatives on the front line
Liverpool started the last campaign slowly, but finished in a nice run of form, though they ultimately abandoned their usual Champions League spot and finished 12th. Mohamed Salah is another year older and the club is desperately trying to find younger alternatives on the front line and particularly in midfield to transition to the future.
Disparate sides meet: Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest
The biggest mismatch of EPL opening weekend, according to the oddsmakers, is the Nottingham Forest-Arsenal contest. The Gunners won one of two reverse fixtures last season 5-0, but lost the most recent one 1-0, which effectively saw them give up their chance at winning the league for the first time since the 2003-04 season. Despite that, they finished second and have a great young core of players that buy into Mikel Arteta’s management.
Morgan Gibbs-White turned out to be quite the signing
Nottingham Forest was extremely busy in the transfer window last year, but rounded into shape towards the end of the campaign, taking eight points from its final four matches. Morgan Gibbs-White turned out to be quite the signing and will be the team’s central figure heading into the new season.
Rising the ranks: Newcastle vs. Aston Villa
Newcastle just had its best finish in the league since 2002-03, ending the year fourth with 71 points and qualifying for the Champions League. Despite having the richest owners in the world, they found their success without breaking the bank and by developing an identity with many young players and a manager in Eddie Howe that had not been given a “breakthrough opportunity” at a massive club.
Aston Villa also exceeded expectations by finishing seventh in the EPL, which earned them a spot in the Europa Conference League. They transformed as a side when Unai Emery was brought in for Steven Gerrard in October and finished with the fifth-best defensive record in the league.
Remaining matches
- Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace
- Bournemouth vs. West Ham
- Brighton vs. Luton Town
- Everton vs. Fulham
- Brentford vs. Tottenham
- Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton