Premier League Fixtures 2012-13: 10 Most Exciting Matches to Look Forward to

This summer may be dominated by the European Championships thus far, but the English Premier League provided a timely reminder that the domestic season isn’t far off by releasing its fixture list for the 2012-2013 season this Monday.

With three new promoted teams to the Premier League and a host of major changes to both the management and playing staff around the EPL, this already promises to be an intriguing season ahead of us.

Not to mention that this summer’s transfer frenzy will kick off on July 1.

Let’s look ahead at the 10 most exciting matches to look for in the English league calendar this upcoming season. (See the complete fixture list at BBC Sport.)

August 18, 2012: Newcastle vs. Tottenham

This August’s opening weekend already serves up a treat, with Tottenham Hotspur traveling to Newcastle in the first mouthwatering clash of the season.

Spurs will have appointed a new manager by then, and he will hope to hit the ground running following Harry Redknapp’s departure—presumably with the hope that most of Redknapp’s talented squad will remain intact.

By contrast, Alan Pardew’s future at Newcastle cannot be any safer following last season’s blistering campaign, and they’ll be looking to make a flying start to the season against a fellow European challenger.

August 25, 2012: Liverpool vs. Manchester City

The second weekend sees Manchester City travel to Anfield as Liverpool’s first opponents at home.

This promises to be a huge game for Brendan Rodgers, who has hit all the right notes in his media appearances, press conferences and interviews since arriving from Swansea, but faces a tough run of home games during his first couple of months in charge of Liverpool.

City will see a win at Anfield as a statement of intent to build on last season’s thrilling Premier League win, but Rodgers will hope to assert himself amongst the Anfield faithful.

September 22, 2012: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

That same run of tough home fixtures for Liverpool sees the visit of Manchester United less than a month after City pay their visit to Anfield.

Liverpool vs. United is traditionally one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the English league calendar, perhaps more so this season following Liverpool’s underwhelming Premier League campaign last time around.

There is no better way than to announce yourself as a Liverpool hero than to contribute to beating your old rivals, and Brendan Rodgers will be well aware of the accolades that might come his way.

November 3, 2012: Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Fast-forward to November, and we’ll be treated to yet another Premier League spectacle: Arsenal visiting Old Trafford.

One of the few teams that take their football to Manchester United, Arsenal will hope that their new squad, including German star Lukas Podolski, will have settled in well enough by the time their trip to United comes by.

Regardless of whether Wigan chairman Dave Whelan’s claims that Sir Alex Ferguson will retire in 2013 are true, there won’t be too many clashes between two of the greatest managers in English football history left.

We Premier League fans should cherish these battles.

November 24, 2012: Swansea vs. Liverpool

Late November sees an exciting match of a different variety: The return of the master.

Swansea’s impressive results and attacking style last season led to Brendan Rodgers’ move to Liverpool, and he will be looking to take a new Liverpool back to South Wales in a scintillating clash between two footballing sides.

He will be coming up against Michael Laudrup, another bright young manager who himself will hope to emulate his predecessor’s achievements.

And we all know what that Swansea crowd is capable of.

December 8, 2012: Swansea vs. Norwich City

A mere two weeks after Swansea’s meeting with their old boss, they welcome the visit of fellow first-season wonders Norwich City, who made headlines of their own under Paul Lambert.

But Rodgers is no longer at Swansea, and Lambert no longer at Norwich.

So this second-season clash will instead reflect the progress (or decline) that both teams will have made under their new management.

Will they be able to keep playing their attacking football and keep overachieving with their players?

We’ll find out in December.

February 23, 2013: Manchester City vs. Chelsea

February sees the battle of the Premier League’s and Europe’s two richest clubs.

The biggest transfer story this preseason has been Eden Hazard’s choice of Chelsea’s blue shirt over Manchester City’s.

Roberto Di Matteo will look to stamp his authority on this ageing Chelsea squad, while Roberto Mancini will build on his title-winning team from last season.

The biggest dressing-room egos, the biggest wage packages, the biggest Premier League stars: All on show at the Etihad Stadium.

March 2, 2013: Tottenham vs. Arsenal

What’s a “most exciting” Premier League fixture list without the annual North London derby?

Arsenal traveling to White Hart Lane is always a spectacle for fans and neutrals alike, with both teams and their attacking football sure to be on show again next March.

The question is whether the new Spurs will be able to emulate their successes in previous seasons and are still in the mix for a top-four finish.

As Arsene Wenger has shown, we write Arsenal off at our peril, but Spurs have proved their mettle as well.

April 6, 2013: Manchester United vs. Manchester City

The penultimate month of the 2012-2013 Premier League season, just as in 2011-2012, sees the Manchester derby again in “squeaky bum time.”

We don’t need reminding what happened in the City-hosted derby this past April, but what context and what background will form around next April’s battle?

If it takes yet another six-pointer at the top of the table to separate these two English powerhouses, we’re all for the drama that will take place on the Old Trafford pitch.

April 27, 2013: Reading vs. QPR

Rounding off our list is the battle between 2011’s Championship winners QPR and 2012’s Reading.

QPR had a tough first season back in the English top flight but ultimately survived relegation, and Reading will hope they avoid the drop at the first time of asking.

Mark Hughes and Brian McDermott are two of the most highly rated managers in the British game.

Let’s hope next year’s April clash won’t be between two relegation favorites but instead two Championship success stories.

What EPL fixtures are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.

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