10 Biggest Fixtures to Look Forward to in the Premier League Next Season
By all accounts, the 2012/13 Premier League season was a massive disappointment.
Manchester United romped home with the title with weeks to spare, while there was no final-day relegation drama to savour.
Next term has the potential to be far more close-fought, with the top three teams each changing managers.
Here are the 10 biggest, most eagerly anticipated fixtures of 2013/14.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal
1 of 10Result Last Season: 2-1 Chelsea
Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge will immediately lessen the odds on Chelsea claiming domestic glory next season.
Arsene Wenger will do his best this summer to bring several top players to Arsenal, but the Gunners are still a way off being genuine contenders.
Earlier this year, it was the Blues who triumphed 2-1 thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Frank Lampard when the two sides met.
Expect next term's clash to be a spicy London derby.
Everton vs. Manchester United
2 of 10Result Last Season: 1-0 Everton
David Moyes was cheered out of Goodison Park at the end of last season; applauded for turning Everton into a consistent upper-table team.
The Scotsman's return to the club with Manchester United will be an emotional one, but Toffees fans will not be as amiable.
The Red Devils lost 1-0 when Marouane Fellaini scored the only goal in last season's corresponding fixture.
With Moyes gone, United will expect a slightly easier ride at what is typically a tough stadium to visit.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea
3 of 10Result Last Season: 4-2 Chelsea
One of the best games of last season was Chelsea's 4-2 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
It was Juan Mata's second-half brace that sealed things for the away side, who fought back from a 2-1 deficit.
With Andre Villas-Boas at the helm, Spurs played terrific football last term. Though it remains to be seen whether X-factor Gareth Bale will remain at the club.
If the Welshman leaves Tottenham for greener pastures, there will be few in the game picking them to better their fifth-place finish.
Cardiff City vs. Swansea City
4 of 10Result Last Season: -
For the first time in history, there will be two Welsh sides in the Premier League next season.
Cardiff City's long overdue promotion from the Championship means they'll be rubbing shoulders with Swansea City in the big time.
Michael Laudrup's Swans were one of the surprise packages of last season, playing efficient attractive passing football.
Expect this matchup to be a close-fought affair though. Neither team will give an inch.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
5 of 10Result Last Season: 2-0 Manchester City
Manchester City and Chelsea will both have new managers arriving from La Liga next season.
Backed by billionaire owners, both clubs will play a major role in this summer's transfer window.
Their fixture will be a star-studded affair, though the most interesting aspect will be how Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho organise their respective teams.
Last season, it was the Blues who won 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez.
Everton vs. Liverpool
6 of 10Result Last Season: 2-2 Draw
There is no fixture in the Premier League calendar more hard-fought than the Merseyside derby.
Everton and Liverpool's historic rivalry transcends the game, but produces epic encounters that linger in the memory.
Look no further than last season's 2-2 draw, in which the Reds were unlucky not to emerge late winners behind a disallowed goal.
Expect a few red cards when the two teams meet next term.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
7 of 10Result Last Season: 3-2 Manchester United
Speaking of fierce derbies, the Manchester derby isn't too far behind in epicness.
Manchester City will be desperate to regain local bragging rights next season, and would love to avenge their capitulation in the title race last campaign.
There is also the matter of the Red Devils' late 3-2 win at the Etihad to concern themselves with.
The moment Robin van Persie curled home a free kick past Joe Hart effectively won United the title, condemning City to finish trophyless.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
8 of 10Result Last Season: 5-2 Arsenal
Another local clash to look forward to next season is the North London derby.
In November last year, the two sides played out a thrilling seven-goal thriller won 5-2 by the Gunners.
The two teams ended up scrapping tooth-and-nail for the fourth Champions League spot, a battle also won by Arsene Wenger's team.
Expect goals and controversy whenever Tottenham travels to the Emirates.
Newcastle United vs. Sunderland
9 of 10Result Last Season: 3-0 Sunderland
The derby theme continues with Newcastle United vs. Sunderland.
Both north-east clubs underwhelmed last season, finishing 16th and 17th respectively in the Premier League table.
Alan Pardew's men also had the embarrassment of losing 3-0 to the Black Cats on their own turf in April this year.
Newcastle will not want to see Paulo Di Canio celebrating like a madman at St. James' Park again.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
10 of 10Result Last Season: 1-0 Chelsea
The last time Jose Mourinho visited Old Trafford, his Real Madrid side condemned the Red Devils to an unfortunate Champions League exit.
The Portuguese manager has an excellent record in games against Manchester United, and will want to continue that trend next season.
Chelsea won 1-0 this year in the corresponding fixture, but by that point, United were already crowned champions.
This is just one of many massive games to look forward to next season.
