Premier League 2013/14 Fixtures Announced – Opening 6 Games Assessed

It’s the moment football fans up and down the country have been waiting for; the fixtures for the new 2013/14 Premier League season have been announced today. Here I’ll be looking at the opening 6 fixtures for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City and Tottenham.

Arsenal

The Gunners start the new season with a home tie against Aston Villa before taking on London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. The big one is next as Arsenal play Tottenham at home in the third game followed by Sunderland away and Stoke City at home. A trip to take on Capital One Cup winners Swansea City completes the opening six games.

Verdict: Wenger will be pleased with the fixtures, particularly playing Spurs at home first.

Chelsea

The Blues have been handed a home tie with returning boss Jose Mourinho welcoming newly-promoted Hull City to Stamford Bridge on the opening day before he takes his men to Old Trafford to take on champions Manchester United. Another tough away game at Everton follows before a west London derby against Fulham at the Bridge, a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham and another away game at Norwich City.

Verdict: Reasonable start for Jose made slightly more difficult with four of the six being away from home.

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers kicks off the new campaign at home with Liverpool welcoming Stoke City to Anfield before a trip to take on Aston Villa. The Reds then welcome champions Man Utd to Anfield followed by Swansea City away, Southampton at home and Sunderland away.

Verdict: Rodgers should be happy with his start and the chance to get one over United early on.

Man City

Manuel Pellegrini begins his stint at Manchester City with a home clash against Newcastle United before an away trip to take on newly-promoted Cardiff City. It will then be Hull City next at home and Stoke City away before welcoming champions Man Utd to the Etihad. Aston Villa away completes the first six games.

Verdict: On paper City look to have a good opening six games and the chance to start the season well.

Man Utd

Life without Sir Alex Ferguson begins with a trip to Wales to face Swansea City on the opening day before David Moyes welcomes Chelsea for his first game at Old Trafford. The fixtures don’t get any easier with United then facing a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool before entertaining newly-promoted Crystal Palace. The first derby of United’s season comes in round 5 when Moyes takes his men to the Etihad to take on Man City before playing West Brom at home to complete a difficult opening six games.

Verdict: A tough start for Moyes playing three of his rivals in the first six matches.

Tottenham

Spurs face newly-promoted Crystal Palace on the opening day at Selhurt Park before welcoming Swansea City to White Hart Lane for the first home game of the season. A trip to take on north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates is next followed by Norwich City at home, Cardiff City away and Chelsea at the Lane.

Verdict: A decent opening for AVB with the Arsenal and Chelsea games key in how the fare after six games

So there you have it, the opening 6 fixtures. What do you think of your clubs start to the season? Share your views in the comments section below.