Following
the announcement of the 2015/16 Premier League fixtures, we investigate what
matches teams will face immediately after a European encounter next season.
In total, there could be as many as eight teams in Europe when the new
campaign gets underway, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all
competing in the Champions League, and Manchester United will also join them
should they win their two-legged play-off in August.
Meanwhile, Tottenham and Liverpool have qualified for next season’s Europa
League, with Southampton and West Ham United set to take part in Europe’s
second-tier competition as well if they emerge successfully from their
qualifying-round ties this summer.
And the managers of those eight clubs will no doubt have been closely
examining the release of next season’s league fixtures to see just how tough
their schedules are in the immediate aftermath of a midweek European
contest, with some sure to be far happier than others…
Post-Champions League schedules:
CHELSEA
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has history when it comes to highlighting how
tough his side’s games have been after a Champions League fixture, and the
Portuguese is once again going to be miffed when he sees the Blues’ schedule
next season.
The Champions have only two home matches following a midweek European
encounter, with the first of those against title rivals Arsenal, while they
also face a daunting trip to Spurs after their matchday 5 contest.
Sept 19: Arsenal (h)
Oct 3: Southampton (h)
Oct 24: West Ham (a)
Nov 7: Stoke (a)
Nov 28: Spurs (a)
Dec 12: Leicester (a)
MANCHESTER CITY
In contrast, City enjoy four home games after their Champions League
fixtures, and none against any of their main title rivals, although Manuel
Pellegrini’s side must travel to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby
following their matchday 3 encounter.
Sept 19: West Ham (h)
Oct 3: Newcastle (h)
Oct 24: Man Utd (a)
Nov 7: Aston Villa (a)
Nov 28: Southampton (h)
Dec 12: Swansea (h)
ARSENAL
Arsenal have an even split of home and away games following their Champions
League fixtures next season, with the Gunners having to travel to champions
Chelsea immediately after their opening group-stage encounter.
Arsene Wenger’s side also face three testing matches in succession at the
Emirates against United, Everton and north London rivals Spurs on the back
of their matchday 2, 3 and 4 contests.
Sept 19: Chelsea (a)
Oct 3: Man Utd (h)
Oct 24: Everton (h)
Nov 7: Spurs (h)
Nov 28: Norwich (a)
Dec 12: Aston Villa (a)
MANCHESTER UNITED
If United do manage to successfully navigate their play-off tie, then they
will have to contend with playing four matches on the road in the immediate
aftermath of their Champions League fixtures next season.
Two of those away games come following both their opening European contests
and they are tough trips to Southampton and Arsenal, while after matchday 3
Louis van Gaal’s men entertain rivals City in the first Manchester derby of
the campaign.
Sept 19: Southampton (a)
Oct 3: Arsenal (a)
Oct 24: Man City (h)
Nov 7: West Brom (h)
Nov 28: Leicester (a)
Dec 12: Bournemouth (a)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spurs have three home and three away games after their Europa League
fixtures next season, including the north London derby at the Emirates and
the visit of champions Chelsea.
Sept 19: Crystal Palace (h)
Oct 3: Swansea (a)
Oct 24: Bournemouth (a)
Nov 7: Arsenal (a)
Nov 28: Chelsea (h)
Dec 12: Newcastle (h)
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool enjoy five home games directly after their Europa League group
matches next season, although Brendan Rodgers’ side will face a trip across
Stanley Park for the first Merseyside derby of the campaign following their
matchday 2 contest.
Sept 19: Norwich (h)
Oct 3: Everton (a)
Oct 24: Southampton (h)
Nov 7: Crystal Palace (h)
Nov 28: Swansea (h)
Dec 12: West Brom (h)
SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton have to play matches on the road following their final five
Europa League fixtures next season, including daunting-looking visits to
Chelsea, Liverpool and City, while they also host United in their only home
game after their opening group-stage encounter.
Sept 19: Manchester United (h)
Oct 3: Chelsea (a)
Oct 24: Liverpool (a)
Nov 7: Sunderland (a)
Nov 28: Manchester City (a)
Dec 12: Crystal Palace (a)
WEST HAM UNITED
West Ham have four home games in a row following Europa League fixtures to
conclude their European campaign next season, including the visit of London
rivals Chelsea to kick off that run of matches.
And recently appointed Hammers coach Slaven Bilic will also take his new
team to the Etihad immediately after the club’s opening contest in Europe’s
second-tier competition should they make it through their qualifying games
Sept 19: Manchester City (a)
Oct 3: Sunderland (a)
Oct 24: Chelsea (h)
Nov 7: Everton (h)
Nov 28: West Brom (h)
Dec 12: Stoke (h)
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