Premier League 2021-22 schedule: Debutants Brentford host Arsenal in season-opener

The 2021-22 season of the Premier League will start on August 14, with debutants Brentford hosting Arsenal in a London derby at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Brentford have not played in English top-flight football since 1946-47 and earned promotion after winning the 2020-21 Championship play-off 2-0 against Swansea City. They will lock horns with an Arsenal team that finished eighth in the EPL and only won the Community Shield last season.

Defending Premier League champions Manchester City travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur in the opening fixture of their title defence. Pep Guardiola’s men claimed their fifth league crown last season but face a tricky start to the latest campaign against a Lilywhites team that will be managed by soon-to-be-announced Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca.

Manchester United, who finished second and were the runners-up in the UEFA Europa League, entertain Leeds United at Old Trafford while UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea and Liverpool have easy fixtures against Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Norwich City, respectively.

Watford, who return to the Premier League after suffering relegation at the end of the 2019-20 season, host Aston Villa in matchweek 1.

Premier League 2021-22 schedule and fixtures for matchweek 1

All games will kick-off at 7:30 pm IST

Featured photo: AFP / Dave Thompson