Whatever happens in the transfer window, you can be sure Chelsea will go into the new season as huge favourites to win the title again.
Now we know the fixtures for the new season, here are some matches to look out for on the way which will tell us how the champions are shaping up.
Manchester City v Chelsea
August 15, 2015
There’ll be no gentle easing back into action for last season’s top two – they meet at the Etihad on the second weekend of the new season. Jose Mourinho tended to send his team out with a safety-first approach against the bigger teams last year – we’ll get a pretty early sense as to whether he’ll be doing the same this time around.
What happened last season?
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 1
This time?
Who knows what the City team will look like by then? One thing’s for sure – Frank Lampard won’t be returning to haunt Chelsea this time around. Will he?
Chelsea v Arsenal
September 19, 2015
It’s another chance for Arsene Wenger to finally get that elusive win over Jose Mourinho. Or to put it another way, it’s a certain three points for Chelsea.
What happened last season?
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
This time?
Will Wenger go one step further than last season and actually lamp Mourinho in the face? We’re hoping so, because it would be hilarious. On the pitch, Chelsea will win – obviously.
Newcastle v Chelsea
September 26, 2015
Chelsea have lost at Newcastle in each of the last three seasons. If they extend that streak to four then, frankly, they really don’t deserve another title.
What happened last season?
Newcastle 2 Chelsea 1
This time?
We simply can’t imagine Jose Mourinho allowing his team to lose the same fixture for a third straight year under his stewardship. This’ll be a Chelsea win. Get your money on it right now.
Tottenham v Chelsea
November 28, 2015
Despite the League Cup final, Harry Kane still haunts the nightmares of Chelsea fans. Chelsea were streets ahead of everyone else for most of last season, so if they can be even better this time they’ll surely repeat. Hence, if they win at Tottenham, they’ll definitely win the league. We’re pretty sure that logic works.
What happened last season?
Tottenham 5 Chelsea 3
This time?
We’re not expecting Chelsea to take another Kane-ing – not least because the striker probably won’t even be at Tottenham by that point. Mourinho will be out for revenge – cold, hard, humiliating revenge.
Manchester United v Chelsea
December 28, 2015
Face facts, Manchester United fans – assuming Radamel Falcao’s transfer to Chelsea goes through as expected, pretty much everyone will be watching this match hoping he scores.
What happened last time?
Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1
This time?
United will be stronger this time around, so Mourinho will be more cautious than ever. Don’t expect too many goals. In fact, expect one of them – probably in stoppage time, definitely from Falcao.
Chelsea v Manchester City
April 16, 2016
There are fully eight months between Chelsea and City’s two matches this season. By the time they meet for a second time, the destination of the title might already be decided…
What happened last time?
Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
This time?
We’re not even thinking about a result, really – we’re just wondering whether Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero will have to give Chelsea a guard of honour.
Source: SNAPPA
