As Chelsea concludes their pre-season, all eyes turn to the upcoming Premier League opener against Manchester City. This match, scheduled at Stamford Bridge on August 18, marks the beginning of Chelsea’s journey in the 2024/25 season, a campaign that could define the future of Enzo Maresca’s new-look team.
After finishing sixth in the 2023/24 season and parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea now aims to bounce back stronger. The pre-season under Maresca has been a mixed bag, with a heavy 4-2 defeat against Manchester City highlighting the challenges that lie ahead. However, pre-season results often offer little insight into the actual league performance, and Chelsea will be keen to prove their mettle when it truly counts.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into Chelsea’s first five Premier League fixtures, comparing them with those of their top four rivals, including Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa. With a daunting schedule ahead, can Chelsea secure a spot in the top four, or will the early hurdles set them back?
Chelsea’s First Five Premier League Fixtures
- Manchester City (Home) – August 18
- Wolves (Away) – August 25
- Crystal Palace (Home) – September 1
- Bournemouth (Away) – September 14
- West Ham (Away) – September 21
Chelsea’s first match of the season is undoubtedly their toughest. Hosting the reigning champions, Manchester City, at Stamford Bridge will be a stern test for Maresca’s squad. City, under Pep Guardiola, has been dominant in the Premier League for years, and their recent 4-2 victory over Chelsea in a pre-season fixture underscores their superiority.
Following the City clash, Chelsea has a relatively easier game against Wolves at Molineux. Wolves have undergone significant changes this summer, including losing Pedro Neto to Chelsea. While Wolves will present a challenge, Chelsea should fancy their chances of securing three points.
Crystal Palace, another London rival, will visit Stamford Bridge on September 1. Palace has experienced a challenging summer, losing key players like Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and potentially Marc Guehi to Newcastle. Despite these losses, Palace remains a tricky opponent, and Chelsea will need to be at their best to secure a win.
After the international break, Chelsea will face two consecutive away games against Bournemouth and West Ham. Both fixtures are potential banana skins, especially considering West Ham’s unpredictable form. However, if Chelsea can navigate these matches successfully, they will be well-positioned to push for a top-four spot.
Comparison with Top Four Rivals
Manchester United’s First Five Fixtures:
- Fulham (Home) – August 16
- Brighton (Away) – August 24
- Liverpool (Home) – September 1
- Southampton (Away) – September 14
- Crystal Palace (Away) – September 21
Manchester United’s opening fixtures also present a mixed bag. They start with a home game against Fulham, a fixture they are expected to win. However, an away trip to Brighton, who have been impressive under Roberto De Zerbi, followed by a clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford, could prove challenging. United’s away fixtures against Southampton and Crystal Palace are winnable, but they will need to be at their best to avoid dropping points.
Tottenham’s First Five Fixtures:
- Leicester City (Away) – August 19
- Everton (Home) – August 24
- Newcastle United (Away) – September 1
- Arsenal (Home) – September 15
- Brentford (Home) – September 21
Tottenham’s schedule is arguably one of the toughest among the top four contenders. Their opener against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium will be a stern test, followed by a home game against Everton. However, it’s their next three fixtures that will truly test their mettle. An away trip to Newcastle, who have been on the rise, followed by a North London Derby against Arsenal and a home game against Brentford, could see Spurs dropping crucial points early in the season.
Aston Villa’s First Five Fixtures:
- West Ham (Away) – August 17
- Arsenal (Home) – August 24
- Leicester City (Away) – August 31
- Everton (Home) – September 14
- Wolves (Home) – September 21
Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, will also face a challenging start to their campaign. An away trip to West Ham, followed by hosting Arsenal at Villa Park, could be tough fixtures. However, their games against Leicester, Everton, and Wolves offer a chance to pick up points. Villa’s start to the season could be crucial in determining whether they can compete for a top-four spot.
Conclusion: Chelsea’s Tough Start and the Road Ahead
Chelsea’s first five fixtures of the 2024/25 Premier League season present a challenging start. With Manchester City up first, followed by tricky away games against Wolves, Bournemouth, and West Ham, and a home clash with Crystal Palace, Chelsea will need to hit the ground running. A poor start could see them fall behind their top-four rivals, but a strong showing could set the tone for a successful campaign.
Comparing their fixtures with Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, it’s clear that Chelsea’s road is not the easiest. However, with the right tactics and determination, the Blues can overcome these early challenges and make a strong push for a top-four finish.
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