Manchester City will begin their latest English Premier League title defence against Burnley, a promoted team managed by City great Vincent Kompany.
The opening round of the season also contains a match between two of the league’s so-called “Big Six” as Chelsea — with a new manager on board in Mauricio Pochettino — host Liverpool.
City’s trip to Turf Moor will start the season on August 11 — and on a Friday night — and it’s laden with narrative because of the presence of Kompany, who spent 11 years (2008-19) at the club and has a statue outside the team’s Etihad Stadium.
Kompany, who was City captain for eight years and won four Premier League titles, led Burnley back into the top division in his first season as a manager in English football.
He has already faced Pep Guardiola, his mentor, as a Burnley manager and it didn’t turn out to be such a happy occasion, with his team getting thrashed 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter finals in March.
City’s early season schedule looks relatively benign — the champion also play promoted Sheffield United and host Fulham and Nottingham Forest in their first six games — before a tough-looking October when City play Arsenal (October 7) and Manchester United (October 28) away either side of hosting Brighton.
Arsenal, who ran City surprisingly close in the title race last season, begin the campaign with matches against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and then Fulham.
Arsenal are in the Champions League for the first time in six years, with their first two group games in Europe coming immediately ahead of Premier League matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.
The first league game for new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is a London Derby at Brentford, while Manchester United are at home to Wolverhampton on August 14.
Luton will play their first top-flight match since 1992 away to Brighton. The following week, Kenilworth Road will become the smallest ground to host a Premier League game when Burnley visit.
The other promoted side is Sheffield United, who start the season at home to Crystal Palace. The final round of Premier League matches is scheduled for May 19, 2024.