Chelsea to face Liverpool in mouthwatering opening day clash

Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of Chelsea will see the Blues host Liverpool in a mouthwatering clash at Stamford Bridge.

Both teams had disappointing 2022-23 campaigns, with neither qualifying for the Champions League, but will be looking to bounce back by getting off to a winning start when they face each other on Sunday, August 13. 

Liverpool only finished fifth last season, but have already added Alexis Mac Allister to their ranks this summer, and will be expected to challenge for the title under Jurgen Klopp next term.

After a major test on the opening day, Chelsea’s fixture list looks far more favourable in the weeks that follow, as they do not play another ‘Big Six’ club until late October.

Their first away game will see them travel to West Ham, who despite winning the Europa Conference League could only finish 14th in the Premier League last term.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will be a major test for Chelsea when they play at Stamford Bridge

Mauricio Pochettino will be eyeing a fast start to his tenure at Chelsea, with the Blues handed a favourable start to the season after their opening game against Liverpool

A home match against newly-promoted Luton Town follows, before they take on Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Fulham and Burnley, in what looks to be a winnable run of games. 

Following their opening day clash with Liverpool, Chelsea’s next game against a member of the ‘Big Six’ doesn’t come until October 21 when they play Arsenal at home. They lost both games against the Gunners last term, and will be looking to gain revenge under Pochettino.

That Arsenal match kickstarts a run of seven straight games that will see them go up against teams that finished in the top-half last season.

An all-London clash with Tottenham awaits on November 4, before they play champions Manchester City and Newcastle either side of the November international break.

Last season’s surprise package Brighton and Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United will then face the Blues at the start of December.

Chelsea have been handed a home fixture on Boxing Day, as they will host Crystal Palace in another all-London affair.

Moving into 2024, Chelsea’s trickiest period looks to be when they take on five of last season’s top eight in seven matches between February 17 and April 16.

That run begins with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to play City, and they then have home fixtures against Tottenham, Newcastle and United, plus a visit to Arsenal.

Chelsea’s final away game sees them face Nottingham Forest on the penultimate weekend of the season, and they will round off their campaign with a home match against Bournemouth on May 19. 

CHELSEA FIXTURE LIST 2023-24 SEASON 

All fixtures are subject to change once live TV schedule has been finalised.