Chelsea open their Premier League campaign at Stamford Bridge with the visit of Liverpool, as Mauricio Pochettino gets his Blues tenure underway with a difficult task.
The west London side have the opportunity for a strong start with three of their first four fixtures all at home. The game against Liverpool will be followed by a trip to West Ham before welcoming Luton Town and Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge ahead of the first international break of the season.
Chelsea's first clash against one of last season's top four does not come until the end of October when Arsenal travel to west London. Pochettino's return to Tottenham shortly follows in November with Manchester City and Newcastle also awaiting. The Blues are also set for a tricky start to the festive period with Manchester United and Brighton in early December.
Pochettino's side will be able to stay close to home for Christmas with a Boxing Day stay at home for the visit of Crystal Palace. From February through until the March international break may present among Chelsea's most difficult periods as Manchester City, Tottenham, Brentford, Newcastle and Arsenal will all provide a stiff test.
However, that does mean the run-in appears slightly kinder. The Blues end the season similarly to how they started it with the visit of West Ham and a trip to Nottingham Forest polished off with a final day of the season at home against Bournemouth.
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