European
commitments can have a big impact on Premier League form, so what are the
domestic fixtures facing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal
directly after their Champions League or Europa League group games in
2017/18?
Chelsea, Tottenham, City and Manchester United will go straight into the
Champions League group stage next season, with Liverpool hoping to join them
via a qualifying play-off.
Arsenal and Everton, meanwhile, are set for the Europa League group stage,
although the Toffees will also need to navigate a two-legged qualifier
first.
UEFA have already confirmed their group stage schedules, so how do the
Premier League sides' post-European schedules look? Following the 2017/18
fixture release, we take a look...
POST-CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULES
CHELSEA
Champions Chelsea face an extremely daunting set of fixtures after their
Champions League group games in 2017/18, including meetings with Arsenal,
Manchester City, United and Liverpool. The silver lining is that four of
their six games will take place at Stamford Bridge, but Antonio Conte's
squad depth will certainly be far more sternly tested than last season.
Sept 16: Arsenal (h)
Sept 30: Manchester City (h)
Oct 21: Watford (h)
Nov 4: Manchester United (h)
Nov 25: Liverpool (a)
Dec 9: West Ham (a)
TOTTENHAM
Maurico Pochettino will be pleased with Tottenham's post-European schedule
for the season ahead. Five of Spurs' six Champions League group games will
be followed by home encounters, with Liverpool the only top-half opponent on
the weekend of October 21. Their relatively kind schedule boosts their
chances of managing the heavy workload successfully.
Sept 16: Swansea (h)
Sept 30: Huddersfield (a)
Oct 21: Liverpool (h)
Nov 4: Crystal Palace (h)
Nov 25: West Brom (h)
Dec 9: Stoke (h)
MANCHESTER CITY
City's tricky post-European schedule means Pep Guardiola will have to manage
his squad carefully. Four of their six games come away from home, including
long trips to Watford and Chelsea and a Manchester derby with United at Old
Trafford. They will also have to contend a home game against Arsenal on the
weekend of November 4.
Sept 16: Watford (a)
Sept 30: Chelsea (a)
Oct 21: Burnley (h)
Nov 4: Arsenal (h)
Nov 25: Huddersfield (a)
Dec 9: Manchester United (a)
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool's Champions League involvement depends on whether they
successfully navigate their qualifying play-off, but if they do make it
through they will face a tough post-European schedule. Jurgen Klopp's men
will have to travel to Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham directly after
their group games, And they will also face difficult home clashes against
Chelsea and Everton.
Sept 16: Burnley (h)
Sept 30: Newcastle (a)
Oct 21: Tottenham (a)
Nov 4: West Ham (a)
Nov 25: Chelsea (h)
Dec 9: Everton (h)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Jose Mourinho spent much of last season complaining about United's fixture
schedule, and it wouldn't be surprising to hear more of the same next
season. Only two of United's post-group game fixtures are away from home,
but that includes a daunting trip to Chelsea and they must also prepare for
home games against Everton and Manchester City.
Sept 16: Everton (h)
Sept 30: Crystal Palace (h)
Oct 21: Huddersfield (a)
Nov 4: Chelsea (a)
Nov 25: Brighton (h)
Dec 9: Man City (h)
POST-EUROPA LEAGUE SCHEDULES
ARSENAL
As if dropping into the Europa League wasn't disappointing enough for
Arsenal, they have now been handed a horrible run of Premier League fixtures
directly after their group games. Arsene Wenger's side will rack up the
miles with five of their six fixtures coming away from home, including long
trips to Everton, Manchester City and Burnley. Arsenal may have little
choice but to rest their stars in the Europa League.
Sept 16: Chelsea (a)
Sept 30: Brighton (h)
Oct 21: Everton (a)
Nov 4: Manchester City (a)
Nov 25: Burnley (a)
Dec 9: Southampton (a)
EVERTON
Everton have to get through a qualifying round in order to take their place
in the Europa League group stage, but they face a tough schedule if they do
make it. Ronald Koeman's side will have to travel to Manchester United,
Southampton and Liverpool, and there is also a home clash with Arsenal
scheduled for November 4.
Sept 16: Manchester United (a)
Sept 30: Burnley (h)
Oct 21: Arsenal (h)
Nov 4: Watford (h)
Nov 25: Southampton (a)
Dec 9: Liverpool (a)
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