The countdown to the 2023-24 Premier League campaign has already begun with the release of the fixture list for the year ahead.
Champions Manchester City will kick off the new Premier League season on August 11 at promoted Burnley—managed by their former title-winning captain Vincent Kompany. Luton Town—promoted via the Championship play-offs—is away at Brighton a day later, when fellow promoted side Sheffield United host Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane.
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on the opening weekend, with new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou starting his reign away at Brentford. Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as Chelsea boss begins at home to Liverpool on August 13.
Manchester United begin their campaign against Wolves under the Old Trafford lights on August 14.
With the fixtures now published, here are five Premier League games to look forward to during the 2023-24 season.
- Tottenham vs Chelsea— 4 November, 2023
When you think about top derbies in English football, Chelsea vs Tottenham might not be the first game to spring to mind. But if you consider the long history, proximity, trophies, controversies, and most of all certain bragging rights—this London derby has become one of the fiercest in the Premier League.
Overall, as of the end of the 2022-23 season, there have been 175 meetings between Chelsea and Spurs, with the Blues winning 77, the Lilywhites 56, and 42 ending in a draw. But even some of those have been highly memorable, like last season.
The 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge produced plenty of drama and tension on the sidelines, with Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte—Chelsea and Tottenham managers respectively—shown red cards at full-time after a bust-up. Neither Tuchel nor Conte were in the dugout for the reverse fixture in February at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which Spurs comfortably won 2-0.
After both Chelsea and Spurs endured tough seasons and missed out on European football, they have made managerial changes to turn their fortunes around.
Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as the new Chelsea boss is a dagger to the heart of Tottenham fans, and the Argentinean will be looking to sting his former employers when he takes his Chelsea side to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 4. Ange Postecoglou, Pochettino’s adversary, will be itching to win the hearts of Spurs fans by beating the Blues on that day.
Both Pochettino and Postecoglou will want to take their clubs back to the Champions League on their debut campaigns at Chelsea and Spurs respectively. After the first London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the two sides meet late in February, and although a lot could happen in three months, this game when Pochettino returns to his old stomping ground, is one to watch and could prove to be one of the most entertaining games of the season.
- Arsenal vs Manchester United—2 September, 2023
Arsenal-Man United games rarely disappoint in terms of action, drama and significance, and this will be no different on September 2, 2023.
Arsenal mounted a title challenge last season after building on a spectacular start in which Mikel Arteta’s side won their first five games. Their five-game winning run was snapped at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s side triumphing 3-1.
However, Arteta’s Gunners had the last laugh as they beat the Red Devils 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium later in January following a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Eddie Nketiah.
Ten Hag’s United had an abysmal record on their travels last season, especially against the so-called ‘Big Six’. So, he will be desperate to improve the away record and beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium—which United haven’t done in the Premier League since 2 December, 2017. The Gunners, on the other hand, will want to lay down an early marker in the season and continue their dominance over United at home in recent years.
The return fixture at Old Trafford will take place on May 11, and by the time both Arsenal and United reach this point, we will be in the endgame.
- Liverpool vs Manchester United—16 December, 2023
Despite Liverpool’s slide last season, this fixture turned out to be wild and unforgettable for the fans. For Manchester United fans, it was a dark day and another forgettable trip back home from Anfield.
Liverpool had won 9-0 on aggregate in the 2021-22 season, but Ten Hag’s Man United were coming to Anfield after winning the Carabao Cup—the club’s first piece of silverware since 2017. They looked up for the fight and determined to end their misery on the enemy’s turf in recent years. However, Ten Hag’s side were blown away either side of half-time as Liverpool recorded a 7-0 win—their biggest-ever margin of victory in the fixture.
This is a fixture that can make or break Man United managers. Jose Mourinho was sacked after a 3-1 away loss in 2018 and the 5-0 drubbing in 2021 at Old Trafford broke Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fortunately, Ten Hag managed to keep hold of his job after a miserable day at the office, but the wounds are still fresh and his team should certainly be out for revenge on that day.
Liverpool are going through a period of transition, but their impressive run of form during the fag end of last season proved they can still batter teams left, right and centre. They have already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and, with a few more additions in midfield and defence, Jurgen Klopp’s team could be well-equipped to push for the title.
Ten Hag has raised hopes that United will challenge again for the title soon, and while they still look some way short of Man City, a solid summer window can see them in the title conversation. With the season over four months old by the time this feisty fixture at Anfield comes around, this game could make-or-break United’s title ambitions.
- Arsenal vs Tottenham—23 September, 2023
Ange Postecoglou’s first north London derby as Tottenham boss, and by the time this fixture at the Emirates Stadium arrives, the Australian would have had the time to mould the squad into his own vision and philosophy whilst integrating the summer signings.
After winning the domestic Treble with Celtic last season, Postecoglou knows the size of the job he has at his new club and won’t be fazed to battle against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Of 207 north London derbies, the Gunners hold an upper hand over Spurs with 86 wins, including a 5-1 aggregate victory last season. Spurs have won 67 times, but their last victory at the Emirates dates back to 2011.
Postecoglou has plenty to address before taking his Spurs side to Arsenal. By late September, though, it should become evident how Spurs are shaping under their new boss, and no European commitments this season should likely help to keep their squad fresh.
The Gunners won convincingly at home last season and Arteta will want to continue his team’s dominance over Spurs. And as Arsenal’s Champions League group-stage campaign will begin to hot up following the derby, the bragging rights for Arteta’s side would do them the world of good for their continental aspirations.
- Liverpool vs Manchester City—9 March, 2024
Undoubtedly among the most highly-anticipated events of 2024 could have major ramifications on the table, as March 9 serves up a treat.
Liverpool fell well below their standards last term and will be raring to come back stronger. No team has challenged Manchester City as consistently as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in recent years and they will harbour hopes of challenging Pep Guardiola’s side again next term.
We all know what to expect from Man City, but this particular fixture at Anfield is where they have struggled to get results. Even when the Sky Blues were riding high in confidence and smashing teams left, right and centre in England and Europe, they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in October last year.
While City smashed the Reds 4-1 in the return fixture and have gone on to claim the historic Treble, Guardiola will hope to find a key to unlock the Anfield lock that could be crucial to his title challenge. On the other hand, If Liverpool can return to their rip-roaring best—propelled by new signing Alexis Mac Allister and any further additions—this game could be between the two clubs most likely lifting the Premier League title.
All in all, this particular fixture—amid European journeys and FA Cup campaigns—has the potential to be a box-office affair.
