Premier League Fixtures 2016/17: Chelsea Handed Tricky Start To New Season

The Premier League fixtures for the 2016/17 season have been announced this morning and Antonio Conte will begin his reign as manager at home to rivals West Ham.

The Blues will then face Watford at Vicarage Road before entertaining Burnley at Stamford Bridge at the end of August. Chelsea then face Swansea at the Liberty Stadium before difficult back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool at home and Arsenal at the Emirates.

With Chelsea set to face West Ham, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as tricky trips to Watford and Swansea, inside the first six games it means it’s going to be a tricky start for Conte to navigate in a new league.

Thankfully the Blues have a reasonable festive fixture list as they have back-to-back home games against Bournemouth and Stoke before facing Tottenham away on January 2nd. Obviously it will be a difficult game at White Hart Lane but it does mean Chelsea won’t travel outside of London throughout the entire festive period, which will be a huge boost.

Chelsea’s run-in is reasonable as although they do face Manchester United [A], Southampton [H] and Everton [A], the final three games are against Middlesbrough, West Brom and Sunderland so Conte will be hoping to be fighting for the title during the closing stages of the campaign.

Here are all of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures for the 2016/17 season: