Every match of the 2023/24 Premier League opening round previewed
The Premier League is finally back. We’ve got a match-by-match preview of the opening weekend, starting with new boys Burnley against champions Manchester City. Sunday also serves up a feast with a London derby followed by Chelsea vs Liverpool. With action from Friday through to Monday, there are talking points and angles to keep everyone interested.
Friday 11th August
City legend hoping to foil his old boss
The new campaign gets underway in intriguing fashion.
Vincent Kompany is a Man City icon. So much so, the club built a statue of him. His first task as a Premier League manager will be to try and take points off them, and he’ll do so with a transformed Burnley side. The Clarets are no longer a 4-4-2 long ball outfit, but rather a side who enjoy possession and passing movements. It’s not difficult to see where he picked up that inspiration.
City went the distance in the Community Shield against Arsenal, eventually succumbing on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Mateo Kovačić started that encounter and his experience might be useful again here in what’s expected to be a raucous atmosphere. Their other major signing, Joško Gvardiol, will want to make the left-hand side of central defence his own.
City’s depth makes them strong favourites to win a fourth successive crown. No side have ever done that.
Did you know? City have won the last 3 Premier League H2Hs by an identical 2-0 scoreline
Saturday 12th August
Revenge on Arsenal’s mind
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners made a lightning-quick start to last season, winning their first 5 fixtures. Something similar will be required in 2023/24 if they want to go the distance again and rival an excellent Man City side. A Community Shield win was a nice way to tune up for the campaign, although doomsdayers will say that only 1 of the last 12 winners of that clash have gone on to win the Premier League that season.
The last meeting between these sides was a decisive one. Forest’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in May confirmed their top-flight status and it crowned City as champions. Those facts won’t be lost on Arteta. His 3 major signings (Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber) all started against City last Sunday and are all likely to do so against the Tricky Trees. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus are both expected to miss out through injury.
The visitors have brought in Nigerian utility player Ola Aina and Man Utd winger Anthony Elanga.
Did you know? None of the last 11 meetings between these sides were drawn, while Forest failed to score in their final 4 friendly matches building up to this
Exciting arrivals on the South Coast
The Cherries haven’t been shy in this transfer window. They’ve made BIG splashes by signing Ivorian Hamed Traorè on a permanent deal after his loan, Justin Kluivert from Roma and Romain Faivre from Lyon for new boss Andoni Iraola. Attack seems to be the best form of defence. An existing player who could be well worth a watch this season is Dango Ouattara. The rapid Burkinabé winger is capable of giving full-backs around England a torrid time.
Conference League winners West Ham will have to fill the massive void left by departed skipper Declan Rice. To that end, they’re working on a deal for Ajax’s Edson Álvarez, the ball-winning Mexican midfielder who’s also got a great range of passing.
Did you know? West Ham won the corresponding fixture 4-0 last season
Enjoy the ride
The Hatters’ fairytale starts here. Luton’s first-ever Premier League campaign (they were relegated from the top flight right before the rebrand in 1992) will be away to the stylish, possession-based Brighton.
The visitors will be many’s favourites to go down at the first time of asking, but their fans won’t care right now as they enjoy their new surroundings. Zimbabwean midfield general Marvelous Nakamba was superb in their promotion push and in the play-off final itself, and he could be key for them again with top-flight experience under his belt from his time at Aston Villa.
The Seagulls are an attractive team under Roberto De Zerbi. James Milner adds his incredible experience to the fold, while Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund should only make this side even better in possession.
It’s a classic example of a fixture where it’s fun to expect the unexpected.
Did you know? Luton start with 2 away matches because Kenilworth Road (capacity 10,356) will only be ready to host top-flight matches at the start of September
Toffees supporters will demand better
Everton fans may still be singing the name of Abdoulaye Doucouré, whose goal against Bournemouth on the last day of 2022/23 ensured they’d be extending their long EPL stay. That being said, they won’t want to be dragged into the relegation picture again. Ashley Young arrives with his vast experience and versatility, as does the unpredictable but talented Dutch wide man Arnaut Danjuma.
Fulham finished last season relatively well with 7 points from their final 4 games. 23-year-old Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey is an intriguing arrival, and Raúl Jiménez will bolster Marco Silva’s attacking options.
Did you know? Everton picked up 4 separate 1-0 home league wins under Sean Dyche last season (from 9 matches)
Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace
Home is where the heart is
Ivorian striker Bénie Traoré and American defender Auston Trusty, signed from Arsenal, are the Blades’ two BIGGEST moves so far in a window that saw them lose their top league scorer last season Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille.
Sheffield United secured promotion last season with an impressive 91 points, and 51 of them came at Bramall Lane. Like Nottingham Forest in 2022/23, they may have to rely on an even larger proportion of home points to stay in the division.
It’s going to be strange watching Crystal Palace without the legendary Wilfried Zaha, who recently sealed his switch to Galatasaray. Much is expected of Michael Olise now as their potential new talisman, provided the South Londoners can resist reported interest from Man City and Chelsea. He claimed as many assists as Bukayo Saka last season, with only Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Trossard providing more.
Did you know? Palace playmaker Olise bagged 11 assists in the league last season, 1 of only 6 players to hit double figures
Brawny battle at St James’ Park
When Unai Emery took over at Aston Villa, they were 17th in the table and looking rudderless. He guided them to a 7th-place finish, and has been backed by the board in the transfer window. Major arrivals Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans definitely improve them on paper.
Their first assignment this season is a tough one though, away to a side who lost just 2 home games (against Liverpool and Arsenal) in the whole of 2022/23. Newcastle’s midfield trio of new arrival Sandro Tonali alongside Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton looks among the best and most balanced in the country, in theory at least. You can be sure Emery will have his team well prepared to engage in a physical battle.
Did you know? Newcastle only lost 2 of their last 14 Premier League matches: one of those was a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa
Sunday 13th August
Tough derby day
James Maddison is likely to be thrown into a London Derby on Spurs debut after his move from Leicester. Whether or not he’s supplying chances for Harry Kane, however, remains to be seen. Tottenham have also brought in the lively Manor Solomon and Dutch left-footed central defender Micky van de Ven. All of them will work under the tutelage of new boss Ange Postecoglou. Will this era at Spurs usher in some much-craved success?
Brentford recovered from a dip in form during April last season to chalk up 3 consecutive wins at the end of 2022/23 against West Ham, Tottenham and Man City. Amazingly, they did the double over the champions and also took 4 points off Spurs. Winger Kevin Schade and central defender Nathan Collins are the major new arrivals for Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Did you know? The corresponding fixture last season ended 2-2
Nothing to separate classic rivals
The Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea starts now. The Blues have brought in attackers Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to improve their options in the final third. Axel Disasi is the latest central defender to sign, offsetting the bad news that Wesley Fofana is facing another long spell on the sidelines. Robert Sánchez adds depth in the goalkeeping department, while midfield recruit Lesley Ugochukwu may yet return to France on loan.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will be 2 key cogs in a revamped Liverpool midfield following the sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. This is arguably the match of the weekend at an expectant Stamford Bridge.
Did you know? The last 4 Premier League meetings between these sides have been draws
Monday 14th August
Ten Hag continues to improve the Red Devils
Erik ten Hag is on a mission to make Manchester United a great team again and his focus revolves around possession football and dominance in all areas. The excellent distribution of new goalkeeper André Onana should take them another step in that direction, while Mason Mount’s tactical smartness has made him a favourite of any coach he’s worked with in his young career.
United won the EFL Cup last season, their first silverware in 6 years, and more will be expected of their Dutch manager.
Adventurous right-back Matt Doherty returns to Molineux after a mixed spell with Tottenham and short stay at Atlético Madrid, but Wolves have sold Nathan Collins, Rúben Neves and Raúl Jiménez, with coach Julen Lopetegui leaving and being replaced by Gary O'Neil this week. On the bright side, they have picked up 5 points from their last 5 Premier League visits to Old Trafford.
Did you know? Man Utd have never lost a Premier League match at Old Trafford when they’ve been leading at half-time
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