Guardiola will have a battle on his hands to make it five titles in a row (Image: Getty)
The Premier League fixtures have been released, and Manchester City are set to face a gruelling series of matches that could determine the outcome of the Premier League title race.
The 2024/2025 season’s fixture list reveals potential title-deciding games, with City scheduled to play Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Spurs all within a four-week period. The reigning champions will also face a tough challenge on the season’s opening day when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18 with the Blues keen to make their mark under new manager Enzo Maresca – a familiar face to Pep Guardiola from their time working together.
Despite the daunting run of games, Guardiola is unlikely to be fazed, having led his team to an unprecedented fourth consecutive title last season. However, the challenging spell – running from late January to late February next year – will undoubtedly raise some difficult questions.
Starting on January 25, City will host Chelsea at home. This will be followed by an away game against Arsenal on February 1, then a home match against Newcastle on February 15. On February 22, City will welcome Liverpool before travelling to north London to play Spurs on February 25, reports the Mirror.
City will be mindful of their performances in the same fixtures last season with Guardiola’s side failing to beat Liverpool home and away. They also struggled against Arsenal in both Premier League fixtures and, although they did beat neighbours United in the league, they did lose out on the FA Cup to Erik ten Hag’s side back in May.
The perilous run will also overlap with the new-look Champions League, which will have its final two matchdays in January and its knockout round play-offs from February 11-19, meaning there could well be some unwelcome fixture congestion for those competing on both fronts.
The opening day for the new season will see City’s rivals Arsenal and Manchester United begin at home against Wolves and Fulham respectively, while Liverpool will start their campaign under new head coach Arne Slot away to Ipswich in the early kick-off on Saturday. Other key dates such as Boxing Day will see City host Everton, while Guardiola’s side will wrap up the 2024/2025 campaign with an away clash at Fulham.
The winter gauntlet isn’t the only tricky run of fixtures City will have to keep an eye on. The champions will travel to Tottenham and then face Liverpool away either side of matchday four, while the two Manchester derbies with United are set to take place on on December 14 at the Etihad and then on April 5 at Old Trafford, with the away tie coming just eight matches before the end of the season and directly before the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Guardiola and Arteta will meet during the tough run for City (Image: Getty)
The Premier League’s decision to forego a winter break this season could prove pivotal for teams and players recovering from Euro 2024, with Manchester City set to power through a crucial period. The new season will see the return of Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United to the Championship, while Leicester City and Southampton make an immediate comeback to the top-flight.
Ipswich Town also makes a triumphant return after over two decades. City’s schedule includes away and home games against Leicester in December and April respectively, and a home game against Southampton in October with the reverse fixture in May.
A January trip to Portman Road to face Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich is also on the cards.
Man City’s full fixture list for the 2024/2025 season:
August 18 – Chelsea (A)
August 24 – Ipswich (H)
August 31 – West Ham (A)
September 14 – Brentford (H)
September 21 – Arsenal (H)
September 28 – Newcastle (A)
October 5 – Fulham (H)
October 19 – Wolves (A)
October 26 – Southampton (H)
November 2 – Bournemouth (A)
November 9 – Brighton (A)
November 23 – Tottenham (H)
November 30 – Liverpool (A)
December 4 – Nottingham Forest (H)
December 7 – Crystal Palace (A)
December 14 – Manchester United (H)
December 21 – Aston Villa (A)
December 26 – Everton (H)
December 29 – Leicester (A)
January 4 – West Ham (H)
January 14 – Brentford (A)
January 18 – Ipswich (A)
January 25 – Chelsea (H)
February 1 – Arsenal (A)
February 15 – Newcastle (H)
February 22 – Liverpool (H)
February 25 – Tottenham (A)
March 8 – Nottingham Forest (A)
March 15 – Brighton (H)
April 2 – Leicester (H – 7.45pm)
April 5 – Manchester United (A)
April 12 – Crystal Palace (H)
April 19 – Everton (A)
April 26 – Aston Villa (H)
May 3 – Wolves (H)
May 10 – Southampton (A)
May 18 – Bournemouth (H)
May 25 – Fulham (A – 4pm)
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1912437/man-city-run-premier-league-season-fixtures