Premier League Fixtures 2011-12: 10 Games to Decide the Champions League Places
The English Premier League fixtures for the forthcoming season 2011-12 have been released, and fans from all over the country—indeed all over the world—will be eagerly anticipating the opening day of the new campaign and searching down the list for the big fixtures, the local derbies and the key clashes which could determine the fate of their team.
From the newly promoted sides—QPR, Norwich and Swansea—who will be doing their utmost to survive their first season back in the top flight, to the perennial mid-table sides who will be seeking out a season of consistency and improvement to take the step up into the top half, every team and their fans will be identifying the massive games, the must-win fixtures and the make-or-break fixtures for the coming months which could mean the difference between failure and glory, anonymity and success.
As ever, one of the most hotly contested battles will be the race for the Champions League spots.
For years, the so-called "Big Four" of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United had the positions sewn up seemingly from September onwards, but no more.
Manchester City and their Arab billions have changed the stakes, while Tottenham Hotspur's jostling with European football's finest last season will have given both fans and players a taste of something they'll want to repeat.
With some consistency, even the likes of Everton (qualifiers for the playoffs in 2005) and Aston Villa (sixth place for three seasons in a row before last year) could rightly push on and challenge the established top clubs.
Let's look ahead now to the key 10 fixtures of the coming season, which could shape the fortunes of the clubs aiming for the coveted Top Four spots.
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Game 1: Arsenal vs Liverpool, August 20, 2011
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The first 'big game' of the season, Liverpool visit Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on the second round of Premier League fixtures.
Last season the two served up a feast of late action after two injury time penalties from Dutchmen Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt—the latter in the 100th minute—meant the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal's last three months of the 2010-11 season were nothing short of horrible, and with Manchester United to face in their third game, they will need to start the new campaign far, far better than they ended the last one if they are not to be left behind even in the opening month.
Both sides look set to spend big this summer, and this game could give a fascinating insight into the likely tactical and personnel approach of the new look Gunners and Reds.
Game 2: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, August 27, 2011
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Over the last two seasons, the reversal of this game has been a fixture which has looked like determining the outcome of the final Champions League spot.
In 2010, Tottenham won through a Peter Crouch strike. Last season, an own goal by the same player gave City the victory and indeed sent them on their way to an eventual third place finish.
City are battling to keep their talisman and captain, Carlos Tevez, amid rumours of a huge bid from Inter Milan amongst others, while Spurs have already had to fend off one bid for their creative playmaker Luka Modric, and it is certain that further bids for the Croatian will follow.
If Modric leaves this summer, Spurs might as well give up hope of qualifying for the Champions League straight away. If not, these key home games are the ones which will make a big difference to them in their quest for a top four place.
Game 3: Manchester United vs Chelsea, September 17, 2011
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Towards the end of last season, Chelsea somehow fought their way back into the title race and faced Manchester United with a very real chance of winning the league—if they could overcome the Red Devils.
A goal inside the first minute of the game soon put paid to that idea, as did the rest of the Blues' lacklustre performance.
The tepid display of Chelsea was at odds with the start of their campaign last year when they blitzed teams left, right and centre, displaying a golden touch in front of goal and a steely determination in defence.
Of course, much has changed in the past 11 months. Carlo Ancelotti is yet to be replaced as manager, while £50 million striker Fernando Torres has yet to add to his solitary goal in around 20 appearances, meaning any new signings this summer are surely going to have to be made to compliment him.
United have, as ever, a strong base of squad, but they lack flair and creativity at times. The replacements of Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar, both retired, will have to be of the highest calibre too, especially the goalkeeper, rumoured to be David de Gea.
This match will give an early indication of whether either of these sides have improved enough to mount a big title challenge, though both will surely qualify for the Champions League come the end of the season.
Game 4: Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal, October 1, 2011
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A North London derby is always an entertaining affair, and this season will surely be no different. Just into October and the first one of the season comes along, hopefully bringing with it the usual supply of goals and incidents.
Last season, this game served up a 3-3 classic, with Arsenal's shortcomings in defence being exposed yet again late on.
While a derby match in itself is not usually indicative of form, ability or an entire season's outcome, these two sides will both face a struggle to qualify for the Champions League if they do not improve their record from last season against other top sides. The winners of this game will get a boost of confidence which will surely help propel them forward in the coming fixtures.
Game 5: Liverpool vs Norwich City, October 22, 2011
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Norwich? Really? Actually, yes.
Liverpool beat Chelsea twice last season, while Manchester United and Manchester City were also dispatched with ease. Yet Blackpool did the double over them, Wolves beat them at Anfield and Wigan held the Reds to a draw too.
Teams at the bottom, especially newly promoted sides, are where Liverpool will need to show a marked improvement next season in both consistency of results and performances.
Obviously, an improved squad depth will help here immensely, and by the looks of things, Comolli and Dalglish have been given a free reign to bring in quality players to boost the numbers of the side.
But on the pitch, the Reds still need to avoid tripping up against the new teams who invariably see a visit to Anfield as a major scalp and raise their game accordingly.
Incidentally, the last time Norwich were in the Premiership (2004/05), Liverpool did qualify for the Champions League....but not by virtue of a top four place, something which they will have to manage this time around given they are not in the competition this season.
Game 6: Manchester City vs Arsenal, December 17, 2011
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Another match always likely to flair up in controversy, Manchester City will entertain Arsenal in the middle of December, by which time both teams will likely know if they will be continuing in Europe's premiere competition in the new year or if they will require another top four finish to get a second crack at ole' Big Ears.
Roberto Mancini and Arsene Wenger seem just the types of managers to grate against each other in a big way, and don't expect this tie to go down with a whimper.
City strolled past Arsenal to third in the end last season, thereby consigning Arsenal to a potentially tricky playoff match to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, and both will likely splash the cash this summer.
Consistency is the key word to getting a high Premier League placing, and while City eventually found their stride last season, the Gunners went into free fall, something which needs to be addressed early on if they are to challenge for top honours.
Game 7: New Year's Fixtures, January 2, 2012
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After a tough month in December during which teams will play up to six Premier League fixtures each, in addition to other domestic and European cup commitments if any remain, there is a full round of games just after New Year's Day.
While not many of the big teams match up against each other, they will all no doubt be tricky ties, played in dubious weather conditions and with tiring players—round about now, calls for a winter break in England will be at their highest.
Liverpool take a trip to Manchester City in the biggest match-up of the day, the club against who Andy Carroll netted his first Reds goals last season. However, City walked away with a 3-0 win in their home game against Liverpool early on last season.
Arsenal face an away day in London when they take on Fulham; last season, the game ended up 2-2 at Craven Cottage, with Theo Walcott rescuing a point for the Gunners after the home side were reduced to 10 men.
Newcastle will entertain holders Manchester United. A goalless draw was 2010-11''s offering in this fixture, though it was far from dull fare. Hernandez of United was booked for diving to win a penalty, while Newcastle might have had one of their own.
Tottenham host West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane, another game which offered up a draw last time around. The 2-2 draw was most notable for Simon Cox's superb strike into the top corner of Gomes' net, which found its way into goal of the season contention.
Finally, Chelsea will travel to Wolves in a difficult looking away fixture. Though Wolves only narrowly avoided relegation on the last day of last season, they had a good record against the top sides in the league. Indeed, last season they won 1-0 in this fixture thanks to a Jose Bosingwa own goal.
Game 8: The Also-Rans vs the Favourites, February 11, 2012
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By the time mid-February rolls around, the league table will be shaping up nicely and separating those who have longevity from those who merely had a good start.
Think Sunderland last season, or Hull in 2009.
But this weekend in the Premier League calendar marks not only a couple of crunch matches at the top, but also a massive opportunity for those who continually dream of reaching the top four a chance to make their move as they face top opposition.
Manchester United face Liverpool in what will of course be a key battle for points, positions and bragging rights, but also arguably the "next four" in line to the European placings are in action against the rest of the sides who will likely battle it out: Sunderland, Newcastle, Everton and Aston Villa.
Out of the quartet, only Newcastle are away as they travel to Tottenham, but Everton play host to Chelsea, Sunderland entertain Arsenal and Aston Villa welcome Manchester City.
A big weekend in store and one which could go a long way towards sorting the men from the boys.
Game 9: Manchester City vs Manchester United, April 28, 2012
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A month before the end of the season.
The pressure is cranked high, tempers are fraying, legs are tiring. How best to make use of all this? Ah, of course, a hugely hyped up derby match.
United visit City in the Manchester derby, both no doubt dreaming of trophies come the end of the season and being able to say that the victory over their rivals is what propelled them onto glory.
This game was a 0-0 draw last season and was just as boring as it sounds, but being played so close to the business end of the season will surely ensure that this term's match is nothing similar.
The winner could go on to clinch a top four spot, or better yet, a confidence-fuelled run in towards the Premier League trophy; the loser could go into an ever-downward spiralling pit of despair and dreadful performances.... oh wait, Arsenal aren't in this game.
Game 10: Liverpool vs Chelsea, May 5, 2012
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Well, this should be an interesting one.
Penultimate weekend of the season, and Chelsea bring (well, will presumably bring, if he has added to his one goal before then) their former Anfield glory boy back to the home he abandoned last January.
Chelsea and Liverpool will both be under new managers next season (well, Dalglish will be in his first full season as full time manager), and both will hope to be battling right at the top come this time in May.
The Blues from London won the double the season before last but fell badly last season despite a second place finish. Liverpool have finished seventh and sixth in the past two years and will desperately be seeking a return to a top four place, if not higher.
The business of both clubs in the preseason will go a long way to determining what sort of impact each team can have on the league in 2011-12, but don't bet against this being a do-or-die game for at least one of the sides.
Prediction Time
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Chelsea and Manchester United are almost dead certain to be in the top four come the end of the season.
Last year's winners and runners-up of the league have quality throughout their squads and, while perhaps not as great all-round as both sides have been in previous years, have experience of winning throughout the squad which is difficult to earn or replicate.
Manchester City, with an FA Cup win and a more than respectable third place finish last season, will be full of confidence and shiny new signings in August and must surely be favourites to grab a similar position for 2011-12.
For the final slot, my money is on Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish worked wonders at the club in five months, turning them around to such an extent that three points off the relegation zone when he took over turned into one win away from a Europa League place by the penultimate game of the season.
With the summer to impose his ideas on his team and new signings on the horizon to join Jordan Henderson in arriving, things are looking bright for the Reds. In addition, no European football this season could be a blessing in disguise as they can release the full force of their best eleven onto the League season.
Tottenham fell just short last season and, unless they pick up a truly top drawer forward in the next month or two, will find themselves afoul of a similar fate. Their rivals are all going to strengthen over the summer and while Spurs will sign players too, if Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart or Gareth Bale depart they stand next to no chance of breaking back in.
Arsenal, meanwhile, simply must strengthen - but I fear that the policies and moral standing of Wenger means that while he might new new players, the same mentality will creep in towards the business end of the season and the Gunners will fall short.
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