The 2024/24 Premier League season is just around the corner and there are several intriguing plotlines to ponder before the action gets underway.There will inevitably be plenty of focus on the title race, with Manchester City aiming to claim top spot for the fourth consecutive year.However, several other clubs will head into the new campaign with genuine hopes of knocking Man City off their perch next term.They include Arsenal and Manchester United, while Liverpool and Chelsea will also fancy their chances of mounting a sustained title challenge.
The race to qualify for Europe will also be well worth monitoring as a handful of improving clubs bid to upset the established order.Aston Villa immediately spring to mind having shown massive improvement since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as the club’s manager last November.Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur are among the other clubs who will also expect to be in contention for European qualification.The relegation battle looks guaranteed to be fiercely fought, with numerous clubs likely to be looking nervously over their shoulders throughout the campaign.
Newly-promoted Luton Town looked nailed on to head straight back to the Championship, while fellow new boys Sheffield United and Burnley may also struggle.Everton may also be set for another difficult campaign, with their squad still lacking the quality needed to steer clear of the relegation zone.Ahead of what promises to be a thrilling season, we have scoured the football season’s biggest games via SportsToday to identity some of the games you cannot afford to miss.
Chelsea vs Liverpool – Sunday, August 13
The standout game on the opening weekend is undoubtedly the clash between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.These two clubs endured underwhelming seasons last time around and can ill-afford to continue in the same vein when the new campaign starts.Both clubs have ambitions to be challenging for major silverware this term – this game will be the ideal opportunity to lay down an early marker.
Arsenal vs Manchester United – Sunday, September 3
Arsenal threatened to mount a sustained title challenge last season, but ran out of the steam on the run-in to allow Man City to power past them.They have splashed the cash in the summer transfer window to boost their chances this season and will be eager build up some early momentum.Their clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in early September should be a cracker, particularly with the Red Devils also eyeing a run at the Premier League crown.
Arsenal vs Manchester City – Saturday, October 7
We stick with Arsenal for the next must-watch match, which will see reigning champions Man City visit the Emirates on October 7.Pep Guardiola’s side ended last season as treble-winners, adding the FA Cup and Champions League trophies to their EPL title success.Man City comfortably completed the double over Arsenal last season – the Gunners cannot afford a repeat if they are serious about challenging for top spot.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Saturday, October 28
The first Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford in late October will be an opportunity for United to show they are ready to shift the balance of power in the city.The Red Devils have watched their local rivals power clear of them in recent years, with Guardiola using the club’s wealth to build a formidable squad.United showed plenty of improvement under manager Erik ten Hag last season and will be keen to demonstrate they are on their way back to the top of the tree in this one.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City – Tuesday, December 5
‘Improvement’ is a term that can also be accurately applied to Villa, who were a club transformed once their owners dispensed with Gerrard’s services as manager.Emery proved to be a revelation at Villa Park, guiding the club away from the relegation zone and into a Europa Conference League qualification spot at the end of the season.Several pundits have tipped them to challenge for the top six this season – the clash with Man City will be a useful yardstick of the progress they have made.
Chelsea vs Manchester United – Wednesday, April 3
With Chelsea and Man United expected to be in contention for silverware this season, their clash at Stamford Bridge in early April could be hugely important.The Blues have been on a mission to reduce their bloated squad this summer and the pressure is on new manager Mauricio Pochettino to improve their fortunes. Games between Chelsea and Man United are rarely dull and the timing of this fixture late in season could an intriguing dimension to their latest clash.
Manchester United vs Liverpool – Saturday, April 6
If Man United are in contention for the Premier League title when April comes around, their matches against Chelsea and Liverpool could be pivotal to their hopes.The Red Devils have made some notable additions to their squad this summer and will expect to be in the mix heading down the run-in.With Liverpool also keen to force their way into the title reckoning, their clash at Old Trafford may well prove to be a truly thrilling encounter.
Arsenal vs Everton – Sunday, May 19
On paper the fixture between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium on May 19 looks to be extremely one-sided, but there may well be plenty riding on it. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the title will be up for grabs on the final weekend, and the Gunners will hope they are still in contention before kick-off.Everton could head to London needing to record a positive result to avoid relegation to the Championship, which would add a tasty edge to this fixture.