The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday, with the tournament hosts Russia hammering Saudi Arabia 5-0 – but there some big news regarding the Premier League. The fixtures for the 2018/19 season have been announced, and Chelsea have been handed with a trip to Huddersfield on the opening day.
Their second game, and their first at home, is a big one and an English classic as the Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. They face the champions, Manchester City at home on 8th December which is their final meeting against a side from last season’s top four before the fixtures are reversed just before the start of 2019. Of course, fixtures are subject to change with TV matches to be announced nearer the time.
The busy schedule around Christmas, where four games fall in the space of ten days, begins with the visit of Leicester City to the Bridge and finishes at the same stadium against Southampton; trips across the capital to Watford and Crystal Palace fall in between those two home fixtures.
The FA Cup winners finish their league campaign against the Foxes at the King Power Stadium for a game that is scheduled for Sunday, May 12. The final Premier League fixture of the season in West London comes against the Hornets in a game that could turn out to be massive for the hosts.
February’s fixtures will have a big impact on Chelsea’s season, with matches against Manchester City (away) and Tottenham (home) while April may have equal importance with trips to Liverpool and Man United in the space of 14 days.
The run of most favourable fixtures for the Blues comes at the end of August into September as they face Newcastle, Bournemouth, Cardiff and West Ham consecutively where even the most pessimistic fan would struggle to find a match where they’ll drop points.
Last season’s fifth-place side will be looking to put a bad campaign behind them last term with a much better one this time around. They must strive for a top four spot at least.
