Liverpool to open 2020-21 season against promoted Leeds United
By Nate Williams,
London - By Nate Williams, - Premier League champions Liverpool will open the new 2020-21 season against last season's second-tier Championship winners Leeds United at Anfield on September 12.
Manchester City will host Aston Villa and Manchester United travel to Burnley.
However, these will not be played on the opening weekend and are set to be given a later date due to both Manchester sides competing in the latter stages of European competitions in August.
Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who also completed European fixtures, will play on September 14. Chelsea travel to Brighton & Hove Albion while Wolves visit Sheffield United.
Juergen Klopp's Liverpool ended the club's 30-year wait for a league title last season with the second-highest points total of 99, while Leeds return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2003- 04 campaign.
It will be a key test for Marcelo Bielsa's side as they face not only the reigning champions, but a side that has not lost a home game for three consecutive seasons.
Liverpool come up against tough opposition in their opening three games because after hosting Leeds they travel to Chelsea, who finished fourth last season, before playing FA Cup winners Arsenal.
The Reds will have a chance to test themselves against Arsenal before the season starts on August 29 at Wembley in the traditional Community Shield match between the owners of England's top two prizes.
West Bromwich Albion and play-off winners Fulham are the other two promoted sides from the Championship and they both start their seasons at home.
Fulham will welcome Arsenal to Craven Cottage and West Bromwich, known as the Baggies, will host Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City.
The other opening day fixtures on September 12 include Tottenham Hotspur hosting Everton, Southampton's trip to Crystal Palace and West Ham United welcoming Newcastle.
Given the coronavirus crisis extended the previous season into July, the new season will be five weeks shorter with a finish of May 23.
Rounds of fixtures are set for December 26, 28 and January 2 with no mid-season break like last season. Instead, the Premier League aims to split two midweek rounds of fixtures in January.
There will be a lot of fixture congestion where European and domestic cup competitions are considered.
Jose Mourinho's Spurs start Europa League qualifying fixtures on September 17, so they could be playing two games in one week already.
Manchester City could play their opening game against Aston Villa on September 15.
This is the same date where Premier League teams, who are not involved in Europe, enter the League Cup. This competition also has a congested schedule.
From September 15-16, rounds two to four of the tournament will be played over consecutive midweeks until September 30. The final is scheduled to be at Wembley Stadium on February 28.
The FA Cup first round also starts in September but Premier League teams will not feature until the third round. FA Cup ties that end in a draw this season will not have any replay
It will be a key test for Marcelo Bielsa's side as they face not only the reigning champions, but a side that has not lost a home game for three consecutive seasons.
Liverpool come up against tough opposition in their opening three games because after hosting Leeds they travel to Chelsea, who finished fourth last season, before playing FA Cup winners Arsenal.
The Reds will have a chance to test themselves against Arsenal before the season starts on August 29 at Wembley in the traditional Community Shield match between the owners of England's top two prizes.
West Bromwich Albion and play-off winners Fulham are the other two promoted sides from the Championship and they both start their seasons at home.
Fulham will welcome Arsenal to Craven Cottage and West Bromwich, known as the Baggies, will host Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City.
The other opening day fixtures on September 12 include Tottenham Hotspur hosting Everton, Southampton's trip to Crystal Palace and West Ham United welcoming Newcastle.
Given the coronavirus crisis extended the previous season into July, the new season will be five weeks shorter with a finish of May 23.
Rounds of fixtures are set for December 26, 28 and January 2 with no mid-season break like last season. Instead, the Premier League aims to split two midweek rounds of fixtures in January.
There will be a lot of fixture congestion where European and domestic cup competitions are considered.
Jose Mourinho's Spurs start Europa League qualifying fixtures on September 17, so they could be playing two games in one week already.
Manchester City could play their opening game against Aston Villa on September 15.
This is the same date where Premier League teams, who are not involved in Europe, enter the League Cup. This competition also has a congested schedule.
From September 15-16, rounds two to four of the tournament will be played over consecutive midweeks until September 30. The final is scheduled to be at Wembley Stadium on February 28.
The FA Cup first round also starts in September but Premier League teams will not feature until the third round. FA Cup ties that end in a draw this season will not have any replay