The fixtures for the 2022/23 Premier League season have been released.
Manchester City begin their title defence with a tricky-looking trip to West Ham United, while Liverpool are at Fulham on the opening weekend.
The new campaign starts on Friday 5 August with Crystal Palace v Arsenal, a fixture the Eagles won 3-0 in the season just gone. Tottenham Hotspur’s home game against Southampton is also among the most eye-catching match-ups of Gameweek 1. Newly promoted Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth face Newcastle United and Aston Villa, respectively in their 2022/23 curtain-raisers.
Best players for GW1
Son Heung Min (Tottenham Hotspur)
The South Korean enjoyed his best-ever campaign in Fantasy last term, finishing second overall on 258 points. Son’s prospects were lifted by the arrival of Antonio Conte, as Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach in Gameweek 11. He amassed 201 points under the Italian, more than any other player in Fantasy during that period.
Son’s total of 11 double-figure returns was more than any other player last term and shows why he will be a popular armband pick in the opening stages of 2022/23. Spurs entertain Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first four Gameweeks, as well as visiting promoted Nottingham Forest.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Last season’s top-scoring player in Fantasy on 265 points, Salah has surpassed 230 points in each of his five campaigns with Liverpool.
The statistics show Salah was also the dominant player for goal threat in 2021/22. His 139 shots, 113 shots in the box, 37 big chances and 55 shots on target were all league-leading totals.
Liverpool’s early schedule means Salah is bound to be a key figure in opening squads.
They face only one of last term’s top six sides in their opening seven matches when they visit Manchester United in Gameweek 3.
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Manchester City also have a very kind run of opponents to open their title defence. Indeed, the champions are the only side to avoid all of last season’s top six in the first six Gameweeks.
If managers opt for new forward Erling Haaland as their go-to Man City attacker early on, De Bruyne has all the makings of an outstanding differential.
City and Liverpool’s opening six-match runs are arguably the best in the division.
The reigning champions are the only Premier League team who avoid a ‘big six’ side in the first six Gameweeks, with home fixtures against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Forest in Gameweks 2, 4 and 5 standing out especially.
The Reds’ only encounter with one of the half-dozen elite teams in the first seven Gameweeks is against far-from-convincing Manchester United in Gameweek 3.
