Source: SNAPPA
10 reasons why the new fixtures have got us excited for next season already
Have you fully digested the fixture list yet? Are you practically leaping out of your chair with excitement as the new season hovers tantalisingly in the middle distance?
If not, you really should be. Here’s why…
1. Opening day awesomeness
Chelsea have won nine of the last 10 opening-day games, while no Premier League team has lost on the first day more often than Swansea in the last decade – they’ve racked up seven defeats. So naturally, when the two teams meet at Stamford Bridge on August 8, we’re confidently predicting a Swansea victory.
2. A Harry Kane derby?
Imagine if we do sign Kane and then he scores the winner against Spurs in our opening game of the season… #MUFC pic.twitter.com/rVosgcDR4a
— Manchester Utd Stats (@UtdNumbers) June 17, 2015
Harry Kane has been widely tipped to make a move to Manchester United. The fact that Tottenham go to United on the first day of the season has somehow made that possibility seem more likely. And if it does, what a game that would be.
3. Big games for the big names
City first away game. I'll take that, get it out of the way quickly. #CFC
— The Second Coming (@DanTheMan1118) June 17, 2015
There’ll be no easing in gently for the Premier League’s big boys: every member of last season’s top six plays another top-six team in the first three weeks: Manchester United host Tottenham on the opening  weekend.
4. We dream of Jurgen
At least the hardest games will be out the way when Klopp takes over
— Sam (@f1rmino) June 17, 2015
It’s not that we want Brendan Rodgers to get sacked as such, it’s just that we really want to see Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League – and that horrible run of fixtures Liverpool have may just be enough to create a vacancy.
5. Glorious weekend of sport #1
(Gareth Copley/PA)
August 22/23: Arsenal v Liverpool on the same weekend as England take on Australia in the fifth Ashes Test? Yes please. Book your spot in front of the sofa now.
6. Glorious weekend of sport #2
Saturday October 3
Rugby World Cup – England-Australia
Premier League – Merseyside derby & Arsenal-Man United (subject to changes)
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 17, 2015
October 3/4: Arsenal v Manchester United and Everton v Liverpool on the same weekend as England take on Australia in the Rugby World Cup? Yes please. See above note on sofa booking.
7. Accas are back-a
Can't wait for the season to restart now so I can lose all my money on failed accumulators
— Rhys Hocking (@RhysHocking_) June 17, 2015
New season = new opportunities to convince yourself you’re FINALLY going to nail that 12-game accumulator. You’re not, obviously, but that’s not the point.
8. The countdown to Euro 2016
(Darko Bandic/AP)
What better way to spend a football season than wincing every time an England (or whatever international team you support) player goes in for a tackle? The World Cup already seems an age ago. Bring on the Euros.
9. Guards of honour
It looks like Spurs are the likeliest contenders for a Chelsea Guard of Honour at the Bridge next season
— ChelCenation (@sethaadusei) June 17, 2015
Can't wait for our guard of Honour at the etihad 😎
— ArsenalStateÖfMind (@ArsenalSOM) June 17, 2015
The site of Steven Gerrard and his Liverpool team-mates giving Chelsea a guard of honour has got football fans hungry for more respect-based humiliation. Arsenal fans think they’re gonna get one from Manchester City, City fans think exactly the opposite, and Chelsea fans have got their eye on Tottenham.
10. FOOTBALL!!!
Fixture release just makes me over-excited for the football season 😫
— Conor Robinson (@WWFCConor) June 17, 2015
It’s football. There are 52 days to go until the new season. We’re excited. We don’t need a reason.