Manchester United and Liverpool appear to have the easiest run-in’s of the six most likely Premier League title challengers – with Manchester City facing the toughest.
Arsenal will not be unhappy with their last six fixtures either after Wednesday’s announcement, with the away trip to Manchester City in the penultimate game on paper their biggest challenge.
We attached a value to each team the top six are playing based on where they finished in the Premier League table last season. The three promoted teams were all given a value of 18. We do not however take into account whether the match is home or away.
United face Tottenham away on April 9 next year (fixtures may of course be moved), but their last five games see them face Aston Villa (H), West Ham (A), Leicester (H), Norwich (A) and they end with Bournemouth visiting Old Trafford on the final day. United’s ‘opposition points total’ is 85, four clear of Liverpool on 81
Liverpool have a tough start to the campaign – their first seven away matches are daunting – but if they can stay in contention until April, they can look at the last six fixtures with some confidence. The have Stoke (H), Bournemouth (A), Newcastle (H), Swansea (A), Watford (H) and West Brom (A).
Manchester City face West Brom at the Etihad Stadium on April 9, then go to Chelsea in what already looks like a potentially pivotal match of the season the following week. Then it’s Stoke (H), Southampton (A), Arsenal (H) and Swansea (A) – all potential banana skins. City’s opposition total is 41, eight points ‘harder’ than the next toughest run-in – Tottenham’s – on 49.
Champions Chelsea have a mixed bag. They go to Swansea on April 9, before that crunch showdown with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Then it’s Bournemouth (A), Spurs (H), Sunderland (A) before concluding their season at home to Leicester.
The top six – from the ‘easiest’ run in to the hardest.
Manchester United – 85 points
Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Aston Villa (H)
West Ham United (A)
Leicester City (H)
Norwich City (A)
Bournemouth (H)
Liverpool – 81 points
Stoke City (H)
Bournemouth (A)
Newcastle United (H)
Swansea City (A)
Watford (H)
West Bromwich Albion (A)
Arsenal – 75 points
West Ham United (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Sunderland (A)
Norwich City (H)
Manchester City (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Chelsea – 63 points
Swansea City (A)
Manchester City (H)
Bournemouth (A)
Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Sunderland (A)
Leicester City (H)
Tottenham – 49 points
Manchester United (H)
Stoke City (A)
West Bromwich Albion (H)
Chelsea (A)
Southampton (H)
Newcastle United (A)
Manchester City – 41 points
West Bromwich Albion (H)
Chelsea (A)
Stoke City (H)
Southampton (A)
Arsenal (H)
Swansea City (A)
SKYSPORTS
