Premier League 2024/25: Manchester United vs Fulham Kicks Off New Season

by Luke Andrews, 20 June 2024

The Premier League 2024/25 fixtures have been released this week, and the season kicks off with a thrilling match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on Friday, August 16. Newly promoted Ipswich has a Premier League baptism of fire with an early Saturday kick-off against Liverpool. The big game on Sunday is between Chelsea and the reigning champions Manchester City.

Premier League Opening Weekend Highlights

The highly anticipated Premier League 2024/25 season opener sees Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford. Scheduled for Friday, August 16, this match promises an exciting start to the season, with Erik ten Hag’s side eager to make a strong statement. The opening weekend is packed with key fixtures, offering fans a weekend full of football action.

Matches managed in the Premier League:

💼 David Moyes: 697
💼 Julen Lopetegui: 23

Julen Lopetegui wants to emulate David Moyes' managerial longevity at West Ham ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/dilqmnpGWq

— Hammers Hub (@HammersHubWHUFC) June 9, 2024

On Saturday, August 17, the action continues with several intriguing matches. New West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui faces Aston Villa in his first game, kicking off at 5.30 pm live on Sky Sports.

West Ham finished 9th last campaign and parted ways with David Moyes, who had two spells in charge of the club (2017-2018 & 2019-24). The Hammers will need to play well to get anything from Aston Villa, who were the surprise package last season, finishing 4th, which saw them qualify for the Champions League.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool visits newly promoted Ipswich Town at 12.30 pm, marking the start of Arne Slot’s era at the club. The Dutchman was poised to succeed Jurgen Klopp, who had announced in January that he would leave Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season. Liverpool then began steps to finalise a contract with the 45-year-old before making his appointment official.

The Reds agreed to pay Feyenoord £7.7m plus potential add-ons amounting to £1.7m (2m euros). Slot had led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title and secured the Dutch Cup this season, with the team set to finish second in their league. His attacking style, personality, and ability to develop players were key factors in Liverpool’s decision to choose him.

Arne Slot full interview: pic.twitter.com/rDEKFB0U6V

— H (@TheLiverpoolEra) June 19, 2024

Slot, a former midfielder, spent his entire playing career in the Netherlands, making over 100 appearances for both FC Zwolle and NAC Breda. After retiring, he began coaching as a youth coach at PEC Zwolle, then moved to SC Cambuur as an assistant manager. He joined AZ Alkmaar in 2017 and became the manager in 2019, leading them to second place, level on points with Ajax, when the Covid-19 pandemic halted the season. Slot was sacked in December 2020 amid claims of negotiations with Feyenoord. He confirmed his desire to join Liverpool, stating, “It seems clear to me that I would like to work there.”

Other notable fixtures include Arsenal hosting Wolves, Newcastle United welcoming Southampton, and Brighton travelling to Everton.

Super Sunday Thriller as Champions Face Chelsea

Sunday, August 18, brings more excitement as Brentford hosts Crystal Palace at 2 pm, followed by a blockbuster clash between Chelsea and Manchester City at 4.30 pm, live on Sky Sports. This match is significant for both teams, with Enzo Maresca making his managerial debut for Chelsea against the reigning champions.

Chelsea had a nightmare start to the last campaign despite spending big once again in the transfer window. The Blues had a much better second half of the campaign, sneaking past of Manchester United and Newcastle United to take 6th. Their hopes of starting strong will likely be severely tested against City, who won the title thanks to a two-point cushion over Arsenal.

Iconic. pic.twitter.com/woCmZLQEZb

— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 12, 2024

The opening weekend concludes on Monday, August 19, with Leicester City taking on Tottenham Hotspur at 8 pm, also live on Sky Sports. Steve Cooper is the new man in charge at Leicester, a fact that hasn’t been universally popular with Leicester fans due to Cooper’s links with Leicester’s rivals, Nottingham Forest.

🚨🔵 Leicester City have appointed Steve Cooper as new head coach until June 2027.

Contract signed, Cooper replaces Enzo Maresca at #LCFC after talks with Potter and Corberan. pic.twitter.com/fQoO1b2mMN

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2024

Tottenham enjoyed a good campaign last season, finishing in 5th, just two points away from Aston Villa in 4th.

The Premier League 2024/25 season promises to be full of drama and excitement right from the start. With Sky Sports offering live coverage of all the key fixtures, fans can look forward to a weekend packed with top-tier football. Whether it’s the opening match at Old Trafford or the intense battle at Stamford Bridge, the opening weekend sets the tone for what is expected to be another thrilling Premier League campaign.

The latest Premier League winner odds from bet365 reflect Manchester City as the clear favourite, with odds of 13/10. Arsenal is the second favourite at 2/1, while Liverpool stands at 8/1. Chelsea is positioned at 20/1, indicating a more significant challenge for them to win.

Newcastle, Manchester United, and Tottenham each share odds of 33/1 at the best football betting sites, suggesting similar chances for these teams. Aston Villa has odds of 66/1, and West Ham is a long shot at 250/1. The odds for Crystal Palace and Brighton are 300/1 and 500/1, respectively, indicating lower expectations for their title chances.

Other teams like Brentford, Fulham, Bournemouth, and Everton have even longer odds, ranging from 750/1 to 1000/1, highlighting their difficulty in clinching the Premier League title. Ipswich and Nottingham Forest share odds of 1500/1, while Leicester and Southampton are considered the least likely to win with odds of 2000/1.

However, Leicester is no stranger to causing upsets. The Foxes won the title in 2016 after being priced at 5,000/1 for the Premier League crown.