10 key takeaways from the 2025/26 Premier League fixture release

After the recent release of the 2025/26 Premier League fixtures, Ladbrokes takes a look at some key takeaways and talking points ahead of the new campaign.

From opening day blockbusters and new beginnings to high-profile returns and title run-ins, we're covering all bases as we look through some of the most interesting narratives to come out of the 25/26 PL fixture release - with the new season kicking off on Friday, 15 August.

For the ninth consecutive season, Man United have been given a home game on the Premier League's opening weekend, with last season's runners-up Arsenal the visitors in matchweek one of the new campaign.

22 of Manchester United's 33 opening-day Premier League games have been at Old Trafford, and with a 67% win rate on the opening weekend, the Red Devils also have the best record in the league. It will be a big ask to maintain that winning form when they face Arsenal in the forthcoming campaign - particularly as the Gunners have won their last three opening-day matches.

For the second time in three seasons, Aston Villa and Newcastle have been drawn to face off on the opening weekend. In August 2023, Newcastle came out 5-1 winners in a rather one-sided affair at St James' Park, but with the Magpies losing five of their last six at Villa Park, this one is unlikely to go the same way.

As both sides begin another campaign in which they'll be chasing the Champions League, a good start against a fellow challenger would be the perfect way to kick off the new season. Remarkably, this is the first time Aston Villa have been scheduled to start the Premier League season at Villa Park since the 2010/11 campaign, when they beat West Ham 3-0.

After clinching their second Premier League trophy last season, Liverpool have been granted an Anfield opener as they welcome Bournemouth to Merseyside on Friday, 15 August.

The early favourites to retain the 2025/26 Premier League title, Arne Slot's Reds have also been dealt a kind hand on the final Premier League weekend, with another home game to bring the curtain down on what they'll hope is another successful season. Brentford are the visitors in matchweek 38, and all Liverpool fans will be hoping it marks another day of celebration - ideally featuring another trophy.

According to stats experts Opta, Manchester United have the most difficult start to the new Premier League season, facing Champions League sides Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea inside their opening five matches.

Games against Fulham and Burnley complete their opening handful of matches, making United's start statistically the trickiest in the league, just ahead of Arsenal and Bournemouth - who both travel to Anfield in August. At the other end of the spectrum, Aston Villa have been given the kindest start, facing teams including Everton, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

The middle of September provides fans with one of the most exciting weeks of the entire season, with a handful of blockbuster matches - including the first Merseyside derby of the season.

As well as Liverpool hosting rivals Everton, the weekend sees a title clash in the form of Arsenal vs Manchester City, as well as a high-profile matchup at Old Trafford as Chelsea face Man United. Elsewhere, Leeds travel to Wolves in a fixture that always delivers drama, and Aston Villa face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since 2016.

Newly-appointed Spurs boss Thomas Frank will welcome his former side Brentford to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first week of December, in the middle of what seems to be a difficult run of fixtures - with Spurs also facing Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool before Christmas.

Strangely, Frank won't have to wait long before catching up with his Brentford pals again, with the meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium taking place on the final weekend of the month, rounding off 2025. This means Thomas Frank and Brentford will reunite twice in a month to bookend the festive period. Will he gift his former side any Christmas points?

In a twist that's bound to upset a fair few, the Premier League have released the 2025/26 fixtures without a single game planned for Boxing Day, with matches instead being played on Saturday, 27 December.

While things will undoubtedly change and a handful of games may well be brought forward to the traditional day, the current schedule has matches across Boxing Day weekend instead of on the 26th itself - and we've gone to the trouble of looking at every single 'Boxing Day' game in slightly more detail. Chelsea vs Villa, Man United vs Newcastle, Forest vs Man City... the festive period will still provide some Christmas crackers!

With the Africa Cup of Nations taking place this winter, the Premier League could lose some of its brightest sparks for a few weeks as they represent their countries in the bid for national glory - including poster boy Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool fans will be hoping Salah isn't missing for too long, but with AFCON taking place between December 21 and January 18, the Egyptian could miss the Reds' crucial trip to the Emirates in the first week of January. This would be a huge blow for Arne Slot's side, but a welcome boost for Arsenal, who failed to get the better of title winners Liverpool last season.

Fans will have to be patient to witness the first Merseyside derby at the new stadium, with Everton vs Liverpool being scheduled for the middle of April 2026. Salah will certainly be back from AFCON by then, so there won't be any respite for the Toffees.

The final derby at Goodison Park produced a thrilling 2-2 draw and one of the rivalry's most memorable moments, so the fixture has a lot to live up to. It's yet to be clear whether the move to a new stadium will help or hinder Everton's home form, but one thing is for certain - you won't want to miss this one.

Ladbrokes has taken a closer look at the final few fixtures for Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City, and we've come to the conclusion that it's Man City who have the kindest run-in - which could work in their favour if the title race goes down to the wire.

The final day sees City host Aston Villa, which is never easy, but it is a fixture they've had a lot of joy in over the years, with Everton, Burnley and Brentford also featuring in their final five. Slightly tougher run-ins await Arsenal and Liverpool, with teams like Man United, Newcastle and Chelsea to play. Will Pep's City regain their crown?

Of course, one more thing to mention is that this season sees a record number of Premier League clubs in European competition, with nine teams plying their trade around the continent. This means a host of fixtures will be moved and amended as the season gets underway - so maybe we will get our Boxing Day bonanza after all!

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