Chelsea Schedule 2016-17: Premier League Fixtures Released
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte faces a home clash with London rivals West Ham United in his first Premier League game in charge following the announcement of the fixture list for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday.
The Italian has a big task on his hands with the 2014-15 champions looking to recover from a disastrous campaign last season, which saw them flirt with the relegation zone before eventually finishing 10th.
In the upcoming term, the Blues' most notable early-season challenges come against Liverpool and Arsenal in September before clashes with Leicester City and Manchester United in October, four matches in quick succession that should give a decent indication as to whether Chelsea will be title challengers once again.
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Read on for the Stamford Bridge outfit's full schedule for 2016-17, via the Premier League, along with a closer examination of a couple of key fixtures that could define their season.
| August 2016 | |
| 13 | West Ham United (H) |
| 20 | Watford (A) |
| 27 | Burnley (H) |
| September | |
| 10 | Swansea City (A) |
| 17 | Liverpool (H) |
| 24 | Arsenal (A) |
| October | |
| 1 | Hull City (A) |
| 15 | Leicester City (H) |
| 22 | Manchester United (H) |
| 29 | Southampton (A) |
| November | |
| 5 | Everton (H) |
| 19 | Middlesbrough (A) |
| 26 | Tottenham Hotspur (H) |
| December | |
| 3 | Manchester City (A) |
| 10 | West Bromwich Albion (H) |
| 13 | Sunderland (A) |
| 17 | Crystal Palace (A) |
| 26 | AFC Bournemouth (H) |
| 31 | Stoke City (H) |
| January 2017 | |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur (A) |
| 14 | Leicester City (A) |
| 21 | Hull City (H) |
| February | |
| 1 | Liverpool (A) |
| 4 | Arsenal (H) |
| 11 | Burnley (A) |
| 25 | Swansea City (H) |
| March | |
| 4 | West Ham United (A) |
| 11 | Watford (H) |
| 18 | Stoke City (A) |
| April | |
| 1 | Crystal Palace (H) |
| 5 | Manchester City (H) |
| 8 | Bournemouth (A) |
| 15 | Manchester United (A) |
| 22 | Southampton (H) |
| 29 | Everton (A) |
| May | |
| 6 | Middlesbrough (H) |
| 13 | West Bromwich Albion (A) |
| 21 | Sunderland (H) |
Away vs. Manchester City (December 3)
One of the early indications that all was not right with Chelsea last season came in just the second match of their campaign when they were outplayed in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Blues suffered the same result when City visited Stamford Bridge for the reverse fixture in April, but by then Chelsea's problems had been laid bare.
In 2016-17, Chelsea could make a bold statement by beating the Sky Blues when the two sides first meet in December.
It will be a huge challenge, not only because the west London side's recent record against City is awful, but City also now have Pep Guardiola as manager.
The Manchester side will be a different proposition under the Spaniard than they have been in the past, as explained by Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe upon confirmation of his appointment back in February:
However, Chelsea should also be revitalised under Conte, and the first clash of the season between the two sides will be a good indicator of how well the respective new managers have settled in.
After Leicester City's extraordinary Premier League triumph last season it is likely there will be a number of sides who believe they can challenge for the title in 2016-17.
Chelsea and City are likely to be two of the main contenders, and December's first clash between the sides will be telling as to which club is in better shape.
Home vs. Manchester United (October 22)
Chelsea's demise last season had one major casualty, manager Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December 2015 with the Blues sitting one point above the relegation zone.
The Portuguese will be reunited with his former side in October when he takes on the Blues at Stamford Bridge in his new role as Manchester United manager.
As with Chelsea, United are a major Premier League powerhouse looking to return to the upper echelons of the division after a transitional spell.
United's slump has been longer than Chelsea's, and Red Devils fans will be hoping Mourinho can return them to the status they enjoyed for so long under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chelsea's recent record against United is excellent—they have not lost to the Manchester club since 2012.
But United will not have had a better recent chance to defeat the Blues than the 2016-17 season's first clash between the two sides, as Mourinho's knowledge of his former club should give the Red Devils the edge.
Conte will have to be smart in setting up his side as the Blues face the unique challenge of playing against a club legend now prowling the opposition dugout.
It will be fascinating both to see how Chelsea's players and fans react to the scenario, and how the famously wily Mourinho deals with the situation.
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