The Premier League announced their match list for the 2020-21 season on Thursday, with champions Liverpool starting their title defense at home on Sept. 12 against newly promoted Leeds.
– Premier League: Complete match list for season 2020-21
Liverpool ended a 30-year wait to increase their league title last season, in a campaign that was halted for 100 days amid the coronavirus pandemic. Just 48 days from the end of last season, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Marcelo Bielsa’s men at Anfield after Leeds ended their 16-year wait for promotion back to the Premier League.
In an unusual match calendar amid the problems caused by COVID-19, other notable matches in the opening round include Manchester United for a trip to Burnley; Runners-up from last season, Manchester City, hosting Aston Villa; newly promoted Fulham hosting from Arsenal; and Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham welcoming Everton to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Manchester United and Manchester City will miss the opening weekend of the Premier League after taking an extended summer break following their European commitments. The Premier League has not yet set official dates for all matches, with games set for broadcast yet to be decided.
But it’s the end of the season for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his side on a tough run culminating in a visit to Wolves on the final day. From March onwards, United traveled to Manchester City, Tottenham and bitter rivals Leeds, while also hosting Liverpool at Old Trafford on 1 May. It is also a difficult start for United, with home games against Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal in their first seven games.
Liverpool have a tough start, traveling to Chelsea before hosting Arsenal following their opening day game against Leeds, with the first Merseyside derby of the season set for 17 October. The first meeting between the top two of last season is scheduled for Nov. 7. At the Etihad, with the return party at Anfield in early February.
Pep Guardiola’s City travel to Wolves in their second game of the campaign before games against Leicester, Leeds and Arsenal. City end the season with games away at Brighton and Newcastle, a home game with Chelsea before a trip to Palace and a home game against Southampton.
Fans will not be allowed to return to stadiums when the 2020-21 season begins, as sport continues its fight against COVID-19. However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in October called on supporters to return to the ground. Other European countries such as Italy are also starting to develop plans to get spectators back. However, Spain have said it is doubtful fans will be allowed in stadiums in September.
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have voted against allowing the use of five substitutes in matches next season. The measure was introduced to protect against fatigue and injury last term, but clubs have agreed to return to the usual three subs per game.
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