Chelsea fans fear relegation after Premier League fixture release reveals Man City opener

Chelsea face Manchester City in their opening game of the new Premier League season

Chelsea face Manchester City in their opening game of the new Premier League season

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 18/06/2024

- 09:22

Updated: 18/06/2024

- 09:31

The Premier League fixtures for next season have been released with a bumper opening weekend scheduled.

A number Chelsea fans feel hard done by after seeing they will face Manchester City in their first game of the season after the Premier League fixtures were released.

The new Premier League season officially gets underway in less than a month now with Manchester United hosting Fulham on August 16.


Newly-promoted sides Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton face Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle respectively.

Crystal Palace face Brentford while West Ham go up against Aston Villa and last season's runners-up Arsenal host Wolves.

Chelsea face Manchester City in their opening game of the new Premier League season

Chelsea face Manchester City in their opening game of the new Premier League season

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Bournemouth head to Nottingham Forest while Brighton take the trip up north to take on Everton.

But arguably the biggest fixture on the opening weekend will see Chelsea entertain the defending champions.

The Blues will be hoping for a better campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca.

However, some supporters are already fearing the worst after seeing Chelsea's opening fixture.

One fan moaned: "Awful start."

Another complained: "Man City is always shaky at the start of the season."

A third joked: "Officially Enzo Maresca will be sacked on Monday 19 August."

One other person said: "Man City home in the first game of the season. Who did we offend?"

Enzo Maresca faces a tough opening fixture

Enzo Maresca faces a tough opening fixture

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Another said: "A big L for Chelsea at the start of the season. Hello Championship."

Chelsea follow up their match against City with an away trip to Gary O'Neil's Wolves side the following week.

They host Crystal Palace at the end of the month before the first international break and face two away trips to Bournemouth and West Ham.

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It could also be a tricky end to Chelsea's campaign as they face Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United in three of their final four games.

Maresca's side will begin their preparations with a pre-season tour Stateside next month, starting with a friendly against Wrexham.

They're also set to face Celtic, Club America, City and Real Madrid before returning to England.

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