So the initial ‘guess’ of what time and what day we play each Premiership team has been released. I say ‘guess’ because in addition to the obvious call by the various broadcasters to chop and change matches, let us not forget the many other factors may change the ‘who and when’ events of our season. These factors include…. Leicester Tigers Fixtures, Police and Safety Advice (for many and varied reasons), European matches, cup matches and cup replays, the weather … and possibly many others.
So, after taking into account the caveats above … what do the fixtures appear to equate to in reality?
Firstly, it is nice to have the first game in 10 years in the Premiership at home (to Everton). Knowing how beneficial it is to breed confidence with early points on the table, matches against Chelsea (Away), Arsenal (Home) & Manchester United (Home) in our opening six matches make a mouth-watering yet challenging start to the season.
In theory, as we move into October and November, things start to get a little easier (if you can clash any Premiership encounter as ‘easier’), before December highlights see us play home games against Liverpool, Manchester City and a boxing-day clash against Spurs. January starts and ends with a bang with away matches against Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. February highlights are the return matches with Arsenal (away) & Chelsea (home) followed in March with highlights against Manchester City (away) and Spurs (away).
Many have cited the run in during April & May as being slightly easier. Whilst on paper it looks so, it all depends on where these teams are in the division and indeed where we are at that time. Rest assured that if the final four home games of Swansea, Newcastle, Southampton and then QPR on the final day of the season are all proverbial ‘six pointers’, both fans and players alike will need to be on top of their games to create cracking atmospheres and performances respectively.
Another caveat to the above analysis is this fascinating term ‘on paper’ … for example … how many people would have honestly expected top half of the table finishes for Southampton and Stoke last season?
Two final thoughts on the mouth-watering season ahead … firstly, of the promoted clubs last season … how we would love to fair as well (or even better) than Palace (11th place) … and secondly … how our delightful neighbours in Derby would love to be in our position opening the season against Everton … rather than the reality of their opening day match against Rotherham!!!!