NOW BRING ON THE CHAMPIONS!
Tottenham set for Wembley bow in title tussle with Chelsea
CHAMPIONS Chelsea will be the first visitors to Tottenham Hotspur’s new Wembley home when the Premier League season kicks off in August.
Spurs open their campaign at promoted Newcastle before appearing for the first time at Wembley, which they will use while work continues on their new stadium. Antonio Conte’s side begin their title defence at home to Burnley before facing last season’s runners-up in a re-run of their FA Cup semi-final, which Chelsea won.
Title favourites Manchester City start at promoted Brighton. However, Pep Guardiola’s cross-city rival Jose Mourinho may be happiest with the fixture computer. Manchester United do not face any of their top-six rivals in their first seven matches and will be expected to set the pace at the top.
They begin at home against West Ham, who are set to play their first three games away due to the World Athletics Championships being held at the London Stadium. The club yesterday confirmed that their home clash with Southampton, set for August 19, will be rescheduled.
Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League means they will be playing in the Europa League on a Thursday night. And they will be away from home following five of the six group-stage rounds, including trips to Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City.
Teams face the usual busy Christmas schedule, while fans’ groups are unhappy that 10 matches per club are planned from November 25 to January 1.