Man City To Visit Spurs In Premier League Opener

Premier League champions Manchester City will start the defence of their title away to Tottenham after the fixtures for the 2021-22 season were unveiled on Wednesday.

City are among the sides heavily linked with Spurs striker Harry Kane, throwing up the tantalising possibility that the England captain could line up against his boyhood club on the opening weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side won the league by 12 points last season ahead of rivals Manchester United, who open their campaign against old foes Leeds at Old Trafford.

Both clashes were played behind closed doors on Leeds’ return to the top flight last season, but hopes are high for significant crowd numbers for the coming season.

A 40,000 crowd will witness the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final at Wembley in July as part of a UK government pilot scheme.

Elsewhere on the weekend of August 14, new boys Brentford begin life back in the top flight for the first time in 75 years with a London derby at home to Arsenal, while Championship winners Norwich entertain Liverpool on their return to the Premier League.

Champions League winners Chelsea welcome managerless Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge

There are a number of early meetings between the ‘big six’. Liverpool host Chelsea on the third weekend of the season before the Blues host Manchester City in a repeat of the Champions League final on September 25.

Liverpool renew their rivalry with City on October 2 at Anfield and their clash at the Etihad on April 9 could be key in the title race.

United and Liverpool face off at Old Trafford on October 23 and March 19 at Anfield.

All fixtures are still subject to change for TV coverage.

Premier League 2021-22 opening weekend fixtures

Date Time Match

14/08/2021 15:00 Brentford v Arsenal

14/08/2021 15:00 Burnley v Brighton

14/08/2021 15:00 Chelsea v Crystal Palace

14/08/2021 15:00 Everton v Southampton

14/08/2021 15:00 Leicester City v Wolverhampton

14/08/2021 15:00 Manchester United v Leeds United

14/08/2021 15:00 Newcastle United v West Ham United

14/08/2021 15:00 Norwich City v Liverpool

14/08/2021 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

14/08/2021 15:00 Watford v Aston Villa

Key Premier League derby dates 2021-22

Here is a handy breakdown of the main derby match dates this season.

Merseyside derby

November 30, 2021 – Everton vs Liverpool

April 23, 2022 – Liverpool vs Everton

Manchester derby

November 6, 2021 – Man Utd vs Man City

March 5, 2022 – Man City vs Man Utd

North-west derby

October 23, 2021 – Man Utd vs Liverpool

March 19, 2022 – Liverpool vs Man Utd

North London derby

September 25, 2021 – Arsenal vs Tottenham

January 15, 2022 – Tottenham vs Arsenal