Chelsea next four fixtures compared to Liverpool,…

Chelsea next four fixtures compared to Liverpool, Spurs and Man Utd as Premier League returns

The World Cup is over, now time for the Premier League once more. Football never stops. The Carabao Cup is back this week but Chelsea avoided that bullet after losing in the previous round to Manchester City.

The craziness of the rest of the season is unknown, but having domestic action played in the same week as the best World Cup final ever might just be a precursor for what is about to unfold. There is still the best part of two thirds of the campaign still to go and the knockout stages of the Champions League too.

Graham Potter has had the chance to take some time off to prepare and recharge his batteries but things won't be easing up anytime soon. Very quickly the cauldron of pressure will return and Potter's head will be under the axe if form doesn't pick up.

The Blues lost four of their last five league games before the break and slipped to eigth in the league. They face a true battle to finish in the top four at the end of the season with Newcastle offering a surprise push for the summit and won't have European distractions.

That won't excuse Potter and his side though, even if there is still major need for an overhaul of methods and players in the coming transfer windows. For now all Potter can do is get back onto the pitch and hope for the best.

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated return, here's how Chelsea's fixtures stack up against their rivals.

Chelsea next four fixtures:

Bournemouth (H) - December 27

First up for Chelsea is a home match against newly promoted Bournemouth. The Cherries have had a mini revival since parting ways with Scott Parker earlier this year and appointed Gary O'Neil during the break.

Bournemouth did lose four of their last five in the league but picked up a win against Everton last up. For Chelsea, it is a chance to reinvigorate the Stamford Bridge crowd that started to grow restless. They have failed to win in their last three against these opponents but need to get on the board again with a tough run ahead.

Nottingham Forest (A) - January 1

To start the new year Chelsea face another newly promoted side, and visit the City Ground for the first time since 1999. Steve Cooper's men remain in the bottom three as it stands but were unbeaten in their last three heading into the World Cup.

It's a game Chelsea will be expected to win and does offer a chance on paper for Potter to get off to a positive start upon the return, but there won't be any freebies handed out.

Manchester City (H) - January 5

Things don't get much harder than the next run though. By the time Chelsea have played Manchester City twice in a row they will have faced the champions three times in their last seven matches. If Potter was newer to the job it would be a baptism of fire, but at this stage it is just an almighty challenge.

Perhaps the more important fixture of the two, this league game represents his biggest threat in charge so far and will test his management against the very best.

Manchester City (A), FA Cup - January 8

Days later it's a repeat, but in the cup. Harsh on the Blues to be handed the toughest draw in both cup first rounds, but they must get over the Carabao disappointment quickly in order to remain in serious competition for a trophy this season.

Chelsea reached both domestic finals last term but lost out on both, Potter's biggest scalp would be ensuring that reaching another final is still possible after this match.

Tottenham next four fixtures:

Brentford (A) - 26 December

Aston Villa (H) - January 1

Crystal Palace (A) - January 4

Portsmouth (A), FA Cup - January 7

Newcastle next four fixtures:

Bournemouth (H), Carabao Cup - December 19

Leicester (A) - December 26

Leeds (H) - December 31

Arsenal (A) - January 3

Liverpool next four fixtures:

Manchester City (A), Carabao Cup - December 22