At long last, the Premier League is back.
The 2015-16 Premier League season kicks off Saturday. The schedule makers wasted little time in whetting the appetites of fans around the soccer world, who have waited roughly 11 weeks (since the 2014-15 season ended) for the new season. The opening round of the 2015-16 Premier League serves us a whopper of a contest: Manchester United vs. Tottenham.
Marquee Game
Manchester United-Tottenham pits the teams that finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in last season’s Premier League. Both have lofty ambitions — Manchester United eyes a challenge for the title, and Tottenham again will pursue a top-four finish and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League — and the contest will set the stage for the early part of their seasons.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino are entering their second seasons at their respective jobs. Each wants to demonstrate the progress their team has made under his watchful eye and secure his position for the long term by embarking on a successful season. Their twin journeys begin at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s famed stadium.
Transfer rumors are among the other subplots in Manchester United-Tottenham. Manchester United is flush with cash to spend on new players and has a pair of Tottneham players on their list of targets, according to the rumor mill. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is a potential replacemenet for David de Gea if the Spanish stopper leaves Old Trafford for Real Madrid before September. Manchester United also has been linked with Harry Kane, who scored 24 goals in all competitions last season in his sensational rookie campaign.
Liverpool vs. Stoke City
The Reds return to the Brittania Stadium on Sunday with a point to prove. Stoke City hammered Liverpool 6-1 on the final day of last season. The Reds want to make amends for the embarrassing loss, close the door on a frustrating 2014-15 and start the new campaign with a fresh three points. The schedule makers have given them the chance to do so in a stunning display of unintentional symmetry.
Premier League Round 1 schedule (home team listed first, all kickoff times ET):
Saturday, Aug. 8
Manchester United vs. Tottenham, 7:45 a.m.
Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa, 10 a.m.
Norwich City vs. Crystal Palace, 10 a.m.
Leicester City vs. Sunderland, 10 a.m.
Everton vs. Watford, 10 a.m.
Chelsea vs. Swansea City, 12:30 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Newcastle vs. Southampton, 8:30 a.m.
Arsenal vs. West Ham United, 8:30 a.m.
Stoke City vs. Liverpool, 11 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 10
West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@betcoza
