Former Liverpool FC and Manchester United forward Michael Owen is eagerly anticipating the start of the new Premier League season and says he is delighted with the fixture schedule.
The 2024/25 Premier League season kicks-off in spectacular fashion on Friday, 16 August, with Manchester United facing Fulham at Old Trafford.
The excitement continues throughout the opening weekend, with Ipswich Town’s top-flight return against a newly managed Liverpool led by Dutch manager Arne Slot.
There is also the small matter of a fiery London clash between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers before last season’s champions, Manchester City, travel to Chelsea in a potential early title contender showdown.
Owen believes the season could not have started on a higher note.
“The opening weekend of the season when the fixtures get announced is always a highlight in the calendar for me,” said Owen.
“I think as much as I always look at the newly promoted teams to see who they’re playing and if there’s some exciting ties there, I think my first reaction has got to be Chelsea against Manchester City.”
“Chelsea ended the season well. And now obviously there is a surprise change in manager with Enzo Maresca. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that game goes.”
“Anybody going to Stamford Bridge will find it tough. During my playing days, I always found Stamford Bridge the hardest place to go to.”
“I’m sure Manchester City will find it a difficult place. I remember last season, at Stamford Bridge, they hosted Liverpool. It was a fantastic game, and this could be equally as good.”
Owen is also eagerly awaiting his former club’s clash with Fulham on the opening day. Fulham travel to Old Trafford, having won their last season thanks to a late goal by Alex Iwobi.
“I fancy Fulham to be quite a difficult team to predict. They went to Old Trafford last season and won, so Manchester United will definitely be wary of them.”
“ Of course, the big news coming out of Old Trafford this summer is that manager Erik Ten Hag is staying.”
“There’s going to be lots of changes behind the scenes. But they’ve stayed consistent with their manager, which I wouldn’t say is a surprise. And I thought it was a 50/50 call.”
“But I think I’ve been quite vocal in the past. I’m sure you know my views: I would have made the change there as well, personally.”
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure on Ten Hag, certainly in the first handful of games. I mean, if he gets off to a bad start, then of course the pressure will mount.”
The tasty fixtures come quick and fast with champions Man City taking on last season’s second placed Arsenal already in Matchweek five.
Owen believes the Gunners and the Cityzens will start the season off as favourites for the title.
“I think going into the season you’ve got to feel that that Manchester City and Arsenal are the two teams to beat.”
“I know Liverpool put up a good fight for most of the season. But I think it’s fair to say that the best two teams in the league last season were Arsenal and Manchester City.”
“So again, eyes get drawn to that fixture early in the season. Last season Arsenal were happy to hold on to a draw at the Etihad.”
“A lot of people think that might be where the title was lost. Maybe Manchester City were there for the taking that night and they didn’t really go for it. They were quite happy with the draw, so it’ll be interesting going into obviously a different time of the season.”
Arsenal faces a tough start to the season, coming up against Wolves on the opening day, before travelling to Aston Villa, then facing Brighton at home before turning their attention to the North London derby where they welcome arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
“It is hard to know what’s an advantage and what’s a disadvantage. I certainly think an advantage is having a good run-in. Having some of the weaker teams going into the last handful of games. I’m not quite sure what the advantage is at the start of the season.”
“I probably wouldn’t want to play against one of the newly promoted teams just because they’re probably confident from last season.”
“ You know, it’s all very new for their fans. It’ll be an electric atmosphere, so I’d probably want to avoid newly promoted teams early in the season.”
Owen’s former club Liverpool takes on a newly promoted team in Ipswich Town in their opening fixture. He anticipates a tricky fixture for Slot’s men.
“It is quite a tricky start. As I mentioned, going away to a newly promoted team, first game of the season is probably the thing you would want to avoid the most.”
“These teams are on the back of a good season last season, hence their promotion. So, it could be a tricky fixture for Arne Slot.”
“ And of course, you know, all eyes will be on them as well. On Liverpool, the pressure will be on. Following Jurgen Klopp is going to be a very, very difficult job.”
“But listen, it’s not the hardest fixture in the world. You still expect Liverpool to win it. But as I say, if I had my pick, I’d probably want to avoid the newly promoted teams early on in the season.”
Owen believes City will once again be the team to beat in the Premier League and are favourites for the title again.
“Manchester City are going to be the team to beat again for Premier League titles on the spin. Incredible achievement, and they go into this season as the favourites again.”
“City and Arsenal have to start the season as favourites. Liverpool didn’t really play so well in the first half of the season.”
“It was incredible how they were still in touch and actually at the top of the league for a period of time, and then they just fell away at the end of the season.”
“But I think the consistent teams were Arsenal and Manchester City. And based on that, you’ve got to say they’re the two favourites again this season.”
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