2025/26 Fixtures

[trinityoap]

Apart from the fact that we are Aston Villa , looking at those fixtures we should be clear at the top at the end of October allowing us then to coast to total word domination. Or am I missing something?

[Drummond]

So, according to Opta, we've the easiest set of opening 5...

[Sexual Ealing]

But I thought the authorities were against us?

[Drummond]

But I thought the authorities were against us?

They're saving it up for the end of the year.... Merry Christmas!

[Somniloquism]

On another one, they have Sunderland easiest and Newcastle hardest with us about 4th. But that has a different system of colours which I think leans shades of red if an expected loss and blue if expected win.

[Mister E]

December is a tough month, given the EPL fixtures as scheduled. Also, finishing up with Liverpool at home followed by Citeh away is a tough end to the season.

[cdbearsfan]

Hard to tell whether it's a tough end of the season, yet. Liverpool only managed two points from their final four games last season, so playing them then was probably the optimal time to play them. It will depend on whether they still have anything to play for in the league and possibly also if they have one eye on the FA Cup and/or Champions League Final.

[eamonn]

Yeah, it will probably be as easy as the end of last season was. As in easy but not easy enough.

[Somniloquism]

Last two times we played plop at our place, we took points off them. So as long as a win isn't needed, we should be fine. And as CD points out, one  or both could be on the beach by then (same for us as well).

[SaddVillan]

So, according to Opta, we've the easiest set of opening 5...

The Athletic has come up with this ranking.
The most difficult at the top, easiest at the bottom.

Manchester United 62
Arsenal 60
Liverpool 57
Bournemouth 55
Newcastle United 54
Brentford 54
Wolves 53
Everton 53
Leeds United 53
Brighton 51
Crystal Palace 51
Tottenham Hotspur 48
Nottingham Forest 47
Fulham 47
Manchester City 46
Aston Villa 44
Chelsea 43
West Ham United 42
Burnley 41
Sunderland 39

So Sunderland to be top of the table in September?

All a bit premature, given that we've got a transfer window to get through, during which the relative strengths of squads might rise or fall with signings and departures, and you could also get some significant injuries in pre-season friendlies.

[rougegorge]

For anyone interested in the domestic cup dates for 2025/26:

League Cup

3rd Round (definite): w/c September 15

then depending upon progress:
4th Round: w/c October 27
5th Round: w/c December 15
Semi-final first leg: w/c January 12
Semi-final second leg: w/c February 2
Final: Sunday March 22

FA Cup

3rd Round (definite): Friday Jan 9 - Sunday Jan 11

then depending upon progress:
4th Round: Friday February 13 - Sunday February 15
5thRound Proper: Friday March 6 - Sunday March 8
Quarter Final: Saturday April 4 - Sunday April 5
Semi-Final: Saturday April 25 - Sunday April 26
Final: Saturday May 16

There will probably be some random Thursday and Monday games in the earlier FA Cup rounds as well.

[Ads]

Brighton on a bloody weeknight again. Ergh.

[Meanwood Villa]

This "easiest opening five fixtures" stuff is a load of cock

[PeterWithesShin]

[cdbearsfan]

There doesn't seem to be a spare date for us to play a Champions League-qualified team in the Third Round of the League Cup, so assume it will have to be seeded to prevent that scenario. If a Conference League team plays a Champions/Europa League team in the quarter-finals, it will have to be played on Christmas Eve.