Leaked fixtures show Aston Villa as opening game

Premier League fans look forward to the day when the fixtures get released as fans can plan their favourite away trip, build excitement for Derby Day and anticipate the return of the action.

The fixtures are planned to be released on 16 June, however it is reported that the fixtures for the opening eight rounds and the games after Boxing Day have been reportedly leaked online.

The accuracy of these lists has been doubted by multiple sources, especially given there are no midweek fixtures included on either list. The first midweek round is scheduled for Tuesday 30 August to Thursday 1 September; this is included in the first round of leaks.

The international break from 24 September also has Premier League games planned for that weekend.

Taking away the authenticity of the leak, Manchester City open their title defence with the team they beat to secure the title – Aston Villa. The game will mark the return to the Etihad Stadium and a chance to see Erling Haaland for the first time.

Steven Gerrard’s team will be much improved than on the final day of the season as the Birmingham-based team has already improved with two quality signings – Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos – with more rumoured to come.

An away trip to Brentford follows with home fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal either side of an away trip to Fulham. The most anticipated game will be played on the week of 17 September when Pep Guardiola’s men travel to Anfield for an early Premier League title swinger.

The second set of fixtures released features the eight games covering the action from December 26 to February 11.

The Boxing Day game will be at home to Leicester City, followed by an away trip to Wolves on News Year’s Eve. Those set of fixtures also features the reverse game of last season’s top two as Jurgen Klopp and his team travel north to the Etihad on the weekend of 21-22 January.

There are no Manchester derbies within the leaked games with a potential date in October or November should the official games match up with the ones we see today.

It is now a waiting game to see whether the leaked games are the real ones, although it makes no difference as Manchester City will have to face all 19 teams home and away should they make it five title wins in six seasons.