The 2015-2016 fixture of the Barclays Premier League was announced last week and soccer fans are now anxiously waiting for August 8th to arrive so they can get back to witnessing the old club rivalry.
The 10 matches that are scheduled for opening day will have defending champions Chelsea kick-off their season against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester United would be eagerly waiting to host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford with everyone’s eyes keenly set on young striker Harry Kane who has been Manchester United`s transfer target, with Louis van Gaal determined to sign the 21 year this summer.
A look at Chelsea vs. Swansea City
Chelsea | Swansea City | |
Manager | José Mourinho | Garry Monk |
Players to watch out for | DiegoCostaEden HazardJohn Terry | JonjoShelveyMichuNathan Dyer |
Last five encounters* | 4 | 0 |
*at Stamford Bridge
A look at Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United | Tottenham Hotspur | |
Manager | Louis Van Gaal | Mauricio Pochettino |
Players to watch out for | WayneRooneyRobin vanPersieJuan Mata | HarryKaneEmmanuelAdebayorPaulinho |
Last five encounters* | 3 | 2 |
*at Old Trafford
Meanwhile Arsenal, who is gunning for the title this season, will kick off against old rivals West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, while last season`s runners up Manchester City will face West Bromwich at the Hawthorns.
A look at Arsenal vs. West Ham United
Arsenal | West Ham United | |
Manager | Arsène Wenger | Slaven Bilic |
Players to watch out for | AlexisSánchezOlivierGiroudAaron Ramsey | StewartDowningKevin NolanAaron Cresswell |
Last five encounters* | 5 | 0 |
*at Emirates Stadium
A look at Manchester City vs. West Bromwich
Manchester City | West Bromwich | |
Manager | Manuel Pellegrini | Tony Pulis |
Players to watch out for | SergioAgüeroYayaTouréEdin Dzeko | DarrenFletcherJoleonLescottBoaz Myhill |
Last five encounters* | 4 | 0 |
*at Hawthorns
While the above matches would be an interesting start to this year`s Premier League, it is Liverpool`s return to Stoke City that weekend that will have every Liverpool fan wound up and talking.
Liverpool, who faced a nightmarish finish at Britannia Stadium last season, would return to Stoke City for their very first match, with Brendan Rodgers and team looking to take revenge for the 6-1 humiliation that the team faced in May this year.
A look at Liverpool vs. Stoke City
Liverpool | Stoke City | |
Manager | Manuel Pellegrini | Tony Pulis |
Players to watch out for | RaheemSterlingPhilippeCoutinhoAdam Lallana | BojanKrkicWilson PalaciosPeter Crouch |
Last five encounters* | 1 | 4 |
*at Britannia Stadium
The fixture for the opening EPL weekend is as follows:
Teams | Stadium | Time (IST) | Broadcaster*(India) |
Arsenal v West Ham United | Emirates Stadium | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Bournemouth v Aston Villa | Goldsands Stadium | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Chelsea v Swansea City | Stamford Bridge | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Everton v Watford | Goodison Park | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Leicester City v Sunderland | King Power Stadium | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur | Old Trafford | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Newcastle United v Southampton | St. James’ Park | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Norwich City v Crystal Palace | Carrow Road | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
Stoke City v Liverpool | Britannia Stadium | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City | The Hawthorns | 7:30pm | Star Sports |
*To be broadcasted on Star Sports and Star Sports HD channels
Other interesting matches to note for that weekend would be, Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa, with this match Bournemouth will open their first-ever season in the top flight English football. They would host Aston Villa at the Goldsands Stadium for their opening game; Everton vs. Watford and Norwich vs. Crystal Palace.
