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Five Premier League Fixtures You Can’t Miss This Season, Featuring The Manchester And London Derbies

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It will be difficult for the English Premier League to match the excitement of last year when the most unlikely champions in the league’s history emerged; Leicester City smashed all expectations to take the title as 5,000/1 underdogs.

However, that season proved that, literally anything is possible and with the league looking stronger than ever there will be some amazing fixtures ahead of us this season, so whether you’re interested in or just want to watch what this season brings to make sure you stay tuned 24/7 as you don’t want to miss all the drama!

Let’s take a look at some of the ones to watch.

5. Arsenal vs Tottenham (November 6), Tottenham vs Arsenal (April 29)

It’s nigh on impossible to write a list of great Premier League fixtures without mentioning one of the great rivalries in the game. The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is a historic and bitter one, with both teams close to evenly matched in the past few years.

Both these teams always start the season with big ambitions, with Arsenal always the slight favourites to finish ahead of their rivals. Usually, both teams have had their dreams fizzled out before the spring but last season Tottenham made a fantastic run at the title.

Arsenal eventually finished just ahead of them to the relief of Gunners around the world, but near misses last season means that both teams will be looking to continue their momentum and really go for it in 2016/17.

4. Watford FC vs Leicester City (November 19), Leicester City vs Watford (May 6)

Obviously, Leicester City surprised the world last year with a stunning 5,000/1 victory in the Premier League that literally, no one could have ever predicted. Despite that, English football aficionados can’t help but see “Watford vs Leicester” and write it off as two small fries going head-to-head.

Newly promoted Watford wouldn’t usually make a list like this, but their history with Leicester makes this one special. In 2013, Watford defeated Leicester in the Championship play-offs to deny them a Premier League spot in absolutely spectacular fashion; truly it’s one of English football’s most amazing moments:


Who would have thought that just six years later, Watford would be jumping back and forth between Championship and Premier League action while Leicester would be lifting the top-flight trophy?

3. Chelsea vs Manchester United (October 23), Manchester United vs Chelsea (April 5)

Red versus blue, north versus south, Manchester versus London – this is a classic match-up between two titans of English football, both of whom have had a recent fall from grace.

Chelsea topped the table in 2014/15 with Manchester United sneaking into the Champions’ League play-off spots at fourth. Last year, however, the Red Devils fell to fifth and Chelsea had a disgraceful season to finish in tenth.

The Blues’ disastrous 2015/16 resulted in the sacking of José Mourinho, after which the infamous “Special One” signed a new contract with Manchester United. Mourinho knows the Chelsea side intimately and he can never be underestimated; on the other hand, Chelsea are now headed up by former Italian national coach Antonio Conte, so there’s no writing them off. It’s sure to be a great pair of games.

2. Everton vs Liverpool (December 17), Liverpool vs Everton (April 1)

One of the most bloodthirsty and hotly contested derbies in English football is the Merseyside Derby, and there’s no change to that for the 2016/17 season.

The longest-running top-flight derby in England enters its fifty-fourth year this season and it’s most certainly one to catch. Liverpool will be looking to capitalise on a strong squad and a manager who seems to have found his feet; one of England’s most richly-decorated clubs will want to do better than eighth place this year.

Everton are the underdogs for this one on paper, having lost at Anfield 4-0 last season. However, they held a stronger Liverpool side to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park; to be honest, it’s difficult to predict a Liverpool game as the maddeningly inconsistent reds can often upset themselves.

1. Manchester United vs Manchester City (September 10), Manchester City vs Manchester United (February 25)

The Manchester Derby is always one to watch, but there’s absolutely no question that the match-ups between Manchester United and Manchester City this year will be the games of the season.

The pair of Mancunian sides each have arguably one of the best squads in the league. United have recently bolstered their ranks with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimović, while City have brought in Everton’s John Stones and Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan for a combined £68.5 million.

On top of that, each side has a new, world-class manager; the notorious former Chelsea gaffer José Mourinho is heading up Old Trafford this year while Pep Guardiola, potentially the world’s best football manager, is in charge of his rivals across the city.

Both managers have previously gone head-to-head in the legendary El Clasico as the heads of Barcelona and Real Madrid, then contesting the La Liga title. Now, they could be battling for the Premier League trophy from within the same city. It doesn’t really get much bigger than this one.