Man Utd host Arsenal on opening weekend of Premier League

Manchester United host Arsenal on the opening weekend of the Premier League, while champions Liverpool will kick off the season against Bournemouth.

United will begin their first full season under Ruben Amorim with the most difficult start to the season, according to Opta's power rankings, with the pick of the opening weekend fixtures on Sunday, August 17.

The Red Devils have won their opening game of the season more than any other side in the competition (22), with 2025-26 the ninth consecutive campaign they have begun with a home game. Arsenal, meanwhile, have won five of their last six openers (L1), including each of the last three.

This is just the second time in English league history that United are hosting Arsenal in their first game of the season, previously beating the Gunners 4-1 in 1989-90.

Arne Slot's side will begin their title defence by kicking off the season at home against the Cherries on Friday, August 15.

Liverpool have not lost their opening league game in any of the last 12 seasons (W9 D3), since a 3-0 loss at West Brom in 2012-13. It is the longest current run without defeat on MD1 of any Premier League side.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United, two of the challengers for last season's Champions League spots, will then follow in Saturday's early kick-off.

This is the second time in the last three seasons that Villa and Newcastle have met in their opening league match of the season, with the Magpies winning 5-1 at St James' Park in 2023-24.

Sunderland's first Premier League game since the 2016-17 season will be at home against West Ham, while Burnley travel to Europa League winners, Tottenham, for Thomas Frank's first league game in charge.

Brighton host Fulham, while Brentford, who are still looking for their new head coach, also go to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 17, before Manchester City look to bounce back from last season's disappointment away at Wolves.

Of the current 20 Premier League sides, Brentford are the only side never to have lost their opening game of the season in the competition (W2 D2).

Man City have won their opening league game in 13 of the last 14 seasons, with the exception being a 1-0 loss at Tottenham in 2021-22. Wolves, meanwhile, have lost their last four season openers.

The other Sunday fixture will see Chelsea, Conference League champions, welcome FA Cup winners Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games against Crystal Palace (W13 D2), their longest active run against any of the 19 other sides involved in the 2025-26 season.

Last season's Championship winners, Leeds United, welcome Everton to Elland Road on August 18 to round off the first matchday, with Daniel Farke's team having the trickiest start among the promoted sides.

Everton will have to wait until the second round of fixtures for their first match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, when they will face Brighton.

According to the power rankings, Man Utd have the most difficult start to the Premier League season, also facing Man City away and Chelsea at home in the first five fixtures.

Opening-weekend opponents, Arsenal, are second in that ranking, though, with Liverpool away on the third weekend before City at home two weeks later.

Villa have the easiest start, despite facing Champions League qualifiers Newcastle on the opening weekend.

Later in the season, Liverpool face Chelsea away and Man Utd on either side of the October international break, before travelling to Man City at the start of November.

Frank's first taste of the North London derby will come straight after the November international break, while the first Tyne-Wear is in mid-December at the Stadium of Light.

The season will close on May 24, with the most notable pick being Man City against Villa, who also faced each other on the final day in 2021-22, with Pep Guardiola's side coming from behind to seal the title.