Which Premier League Clubs Have The Toughest Opening Fixtures?

By admin — In News — July 28, 2026

   ​Which Premier League Clubs Have The Toughest Opening Fixtures?The start of the Premier League season is not too far away, with each team discovering their 38-match schedule that will determine their journey over the course of the next nine months.A difficult start can pile the pressure on a new manager, while a favourable run of fixtures can help build confidence and momentum.Using the opening fixtures, here are five clubs that face the toughest start to the Premier League season.Bournemouth’s new manager, Marco Rose, could not have wished for a worse introduction to the Premier League season. They begin with a trip to last season’s runners-up, Manchester City, before hosting Everton and then travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United.This is very similar to Andoni Iraola’s start to life at Bournemouth, which included a difficult opening run and a 9-1 battering at the hands of Liverpool. Bournemouth then face a Brentford side who will be eager to bounce back after just missing out on the European places last season, before hosting Liverpool in what will be a reunion between Iraola and the Bournemouth faithful at the Vitality Stadium.Whilst at this moment in time it looks like a very difficult start for Bournemouth, the fact that they get five tough games out of the way early could prove influential, especially considering they will also be balancing European football for the first time in their history.Coventry CityCoventry City haven’t featured in the Premier League since the 2000/2001 season, and they have immediately been thrown into the deep end.Whilst they are still trying to agree a deal with Brighton to bring back goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who impressed on loan last season, Frank Lampard’s side already know they face a daunting start to life back in the top flight.They begin with a trip to the champions, Arsenal, on a Friday night. It couldn’t be a much tougher start for Lampard’s men.They then host Hull City before another tricky fixture away to last season’s runners-up, Manchester City. Facing the champions and the runners-up within the opening three weeks of the season is some pretty tough going.Next up is a Brighton side who also secured European qualification last season, before a trip to Nottingham Forest rounds off a difficult opening run of fixtures.FulhamÁlvaro Arbeloa has been handed a tricky start to his tenure at Fulham. They begin with a London derby against Chelsea, one of the biggest fixtures of the season for Fulham.This is followed by a trip to Sunderland before another London derby against Crystal Palace. Yes, two London derbies in the opening three games is not ideal and certainly not the start you would want.They then travel to Anfield, where Fulham have often put up a solid fight against Liverpool in recent years and will be hoping to do the same once again, especially with Arbeloa being a former Liverpool player.Following the trip to Anfield, they will host Manchester United and their  

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