Premier League 2022/23: Which managers have the toughest opening six fixtures?

Anticipation ahead of the new Premier League season is bubbling along nicely following the announcement of the 2022/23 fixtures.

The season explodes into action on Friday 5th August when Crystal Palace host London rivals Arsenal at Selhurst Park, then comes to a conclusion on the final weekend of May, while the unprecedented six-week break in November/December for the 2022 World Cup could throw a real spanner in the works for many managers.

So, without further ado, which managers have had their summer break ruined following the fixture announcement? Below we look at those bosses who have been handed the toughest opening six matches...

Scott Parker has had an eventful start to his managerial career; suffering two relegations but also earning two promotions to the Premier League, the second of which was with Bournemouth last season.

Parker’s Cherries have been handed a pretty daunting start upon their top-flight return. They open up with a clash at home to Aston Villa, which is followed by a trio of games against Man City (a), Arsenal (h) and Liverpool (a), then Wolves at home and a trip to fellow newbies Nottingham Forest.

At the time of writing, Bournemouth are among the ante-post favourites to sink straight back down to the Championship, alongside fellow newbies Nottingham Forest who are also odds-on in the relegation market - full odds just below.

Marco Silva’s Championship champions Fulham, who are third favourites for the drop at 5/4, must also negotiate a difficult opening patch during which they open up with Liverpool at home, Wolves away, then Brentford at home, which is followed by games against Arsenal (a), Brighton (h), and Spurs (a).

Another manager who will be cursing the fixture list is Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl, whose side face Tottenham (a), Leeds (h), Leicester (a), Man Utd and Chelsea (both at home), followed by Wolves away.

The Saints endured a desperately disappointing finish to the previous season, picking up just one win from their final 12 games and lost each of their last four, which meant they dropped to 15th. They are currently available at 7/2 to be relegated.

Elsewhere, Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace open up against Arsenal (h) then face trips to Liverpool and Man City separated by Aston Villa at home. Brentford (h) and Newcastle (a) make up their opening six games.

No manager wants to open up with a fixture against champions Man City, but that’s exactly who David Moyes’ West Ham do battle with, albeit at home. The Hammers also lock horns with fellow Londoners Spurs and Chelsea during a testing opening six games.

Opening Fixtures

Friday 5th August

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Saturday 6th August

Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Everton v Chelsea

Fulham v Liverpool

Leeds v Wolves

Leicester v Brentford

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

Tottenham v Southampton

Sunday 7th August

Man Utd v Brighton

West Ham v Man City