The fixtures for the 2020-21 Premier League campaign were announced this morning, with the season due to commence on the weekend of September 12, 48 days after the conclusion of the 2019-20 term. So which fixtures should Chelsea fans put in the diary?
Chelsea, who finished fourth last season under Frank Lampard, will begin their campaign two days later on September 14, having been granted permission from the league, due to their Champions League exploits, which ended August 8.
The Blues will get their domestic season underway with a trip against Brighton, but with all due respect, will face tougher challenges as the season progresses.
So mark your calendars and set your alarms, as we look ahead to some of the mouth-watering ties, Chelsea fans can expect to see.
Dates for your diary
Chelsea v Liverpool – September 19
Chelsea’s first game of the season at Stamford Bridge sees them paired against the Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Blues faced Jürgen Klopp‘s side four times overall last campaign and were beaten 2-1 in the league fixture at home last season. Their only triumph at home against The Reds last term, came in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Manchester United v Chelsea – October 24
Lampard’s first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea was against Man United at Old Trafford last season.
The Blues were comprehensively beaten 4-0 on that day, and will be eager to avoid a repeat when the two sides meet in October.
The Blues haven’t beaten The Red Devils away in the league since May 2013, recording an unwanted winless run of seven matches.
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur – November 28
The Blues will host London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in November. The match will be the second London Derby in the league at Stamford Bridge, following their match with Crystal Palace on October 3.
It will also be the second occasion in which ex-Chelsea manager José Mourinho will appear in the opposite dug-out to Lampard at The Bridge.
The victory in last season’s fixture, ensured Lampard became the first ever coach to complete a Premier League double over a side managed by Mourinho, and he will be eager to get the better of his former boss once again.
December
Chelsea v Leeds – December 5
Chelsea have a long, illustrious rivalry with newly-promoted Leeds United, that stemmed during the 1960 and 70s, as both sides aspired for domestic success.
The Blues will be facing United for the first time in the league since May 2004 and are currently unbeaten in four matches in all competitions.
The first Premier League meeting between the two sides at Stamford Bridge, saw Chelsea triumph 1-0 back in 1992, and they will be hoping to replicate the result, albeit in more convincing fashion.
Chelsea v West Ham United – December 19
The Blues have another long-standing rivalry with east Londoners West Ham United, facing-off 114 times in all competitions.
The west London side were beaten on both occasions last season against The Hammers, despite having the lion’s share of possession in each.
The fixture has added value to Frank Lampard, considering he used to play for The Irons before moving to Chelsea.
Arsenal v Chelsea – December 26
Chelsea will meet their biggest London rivals in Arsenal, a week after their aforementioned derby against West Ham.
The Blues came from behind to defeat The Gunners at the Emirates last time out, but got a taste of their own medicine in the FA Cup Final by the north London side.
With an unbeaten domestic managerial record against Arsenal in the league, Lampard will want to continue the run against his former playing-foes.
January
Chelsea v Manchester City – January 2
Chelsea will ring in the new calendar year by hosting Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ victory in last season’s home fixture secured the Premier League title for Liverpool, and The Sky Blues will want revenge this campaign.
However, the west Londoners have won three of their last four league meetings at home, scoring twice in each occasion.
Fulham v Chelsea – January 16
Two weeks later, Chelsea will make the short journey across the road to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers, who secured promotion through victory in the Play-off Final, haven’t beaten The Blues since March 2006, a run of 19 matches – with Chelsea on a five-game winning-streak themselves, which they will look to extend over their London neighbours.
February
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – February 3
A first-half Willian brace was enough to give The Blues victory over The Lilywhites in north London last season.
It condemned a second league defeat for Mourinho at the helm of Spurs, and his second against a former employer that campaign (following defeat against Manchester United).
Willian, who scored both goals that day, has since gone on to join mutual rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea v Manchester United – February 27
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men overcame the west London outfit 2-0 in the fixture at Stamford Bridge in February to complete a league double, following the aforementioned reverse game last August.
The Red Devils have a good record in their past four trips to Stamford Bridge, winning their last three matches in all competitions, but Lampard will be hoping for a repeat of their last meeting in London: a 3-1 victory in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
March
Leeds United v Chelsea – March 13
Leeds’ record in the Premier League against Chelsea at Elland Road is impressive, winning six, drawing four and losing two of their 12 matches.
The Peacocks are unbeaten in their last four league matches at home against The Blues and are hoping to earn their first win at home since December 2002.
Liverpool v Chelsea – March 20
The meeting in the penultimate game of last season was a thoroughly entertaining contest that shared eight goals.
Liverpool triumphed 5-3 on the night to clinch a third victory in four matches against The Blues, that included the 2-1 league win and a 5-4 penalty shootout triumph in the UEFA Super Cup.
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion – April 3
Chelsea will host West Brom for the first time since February 2018. The Blues have won their last four matches against The Baggies and are six matches unbeaten overall.
The Pensioners’ last defeat at the Bridge to West Brom was back in November 1983, a 1-0 defeat in the League Cup, which they will hope to avoid in the league.
May
Manchester City v Chelsea – May 8
Chelsea’s fourth-last league game will see the west Londoners face Man City. The Blues have lost on their last three journeys to the Etihad Stadium and conceded six times in their penultimate trip.
The Pensioners’ last victory at The Citizens came in December 2016 and Lampard’s side will need to replicate that day’s ‘smash and grab’ performance if they are to at least remain in the top-four.
Chelsea v Arsenal – May 12
The Blues will close out their league campaign against Leicester City and Aston Villa, but their final London Derby in the league season against Arsenal, may be the most decisive.
Frank Lampard’s side were two goals up and had the man advantage in the fixture last season, but were pegged back by The Gunners.
His side cannot afford to become complacent this season against a strong opponent, as it could be the difference between a place in the Champions League or the Europa League.
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