Everton
27 Aug 2016: Stoke City (H)
It is important to acknowledge the risk Koeman has taken in moving to Everton from Southampton. There is a bit of a rebuilding job required at Goodison Park, with the club finishing 11th for the second season running. Big players for the club (such as Lukaku and Stones) are also unsettled. Expectations will be higher than ever following the takeover by Farhad Moshiri. So to beat a direct competitor in the form of Stoke City early in the campaign would do Koemen the world of good. In addition this fixture last season ended 3-4 to Stoke and was one of the games of the 2015/16 season.
10 Sep 2016: Sunderland (A)
This game follows the international break and could serve as a good platform for Everton to go on a run of victories before facing Manchester City at the Etihad. The games following the Sunderland game are as follows:
- Sunderland (A)
- Middlesbrough (H)
- AFC Bournemouth (A)
- Crystal Palace (H)
The fact that they lost at the Stadium of Light last season 3-0 in arguably the most abject performance from Everton of the season should act as a motivating factor before and during the game. We cannot forget the fact that former Everton manager David Moyes is now in the Sunderland hotseat; adding a bit more spice to the fixture.
05 Nov 2016: Chelsea (A)
Everton and Chelsea have great games in the premier league. The most memorable in recent times was the 3-6 victory for Chelsea at Goodison Park. Last time they met they played a very entertaining 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge where John Terry scored the equaliser in the 98th minute. This game should be just as competitive and passionate especially with Conte leading Chelsea.
26 Nov 2016: Southampton (A)
Koeman will be returning to his former club for the first time with Everton. Both Southampton and Everton will want to prove their superiority over each other as both teams are expected to be competing for a top 10 finish and potentially Europa League qualification. This should be a good match with plenty of attacking football in store.
17 Dec 2016: Liverpool (H)
Of course this will always be a one to watch as it is a derby match but this one may mean more than that to Everton. They have had a poor record in the Merseyside derby as of late; with their last win against Liverpool in the league coming in October 2010 at home. Koeman will be hoping to give the fans what they have desired for a while with a victory over their fierce rivals during a very packed christmas period.
Hull City
13 Aug 2016: Leicester City (H)
This is a terrific game for Hull to prove their premier league credentials. Playing the Champions at home in the first game of the season; Hull have the perfect opportunity to start the premier league with a bang. Their home crowd should be well up for this one as should the Hull players off the back of their promotion final victory against Sheffield Wednesday.
14 Jan 2017: AFC Bournemouth (H)
This is important for one reason. Here are Hull’s next four fixtures after they face Bournemouth at home:
- 21 Jan 2017: Chelsea (A)
- 31 Jan 2017: Manchester United (A)
- 04 Feb 2017: Liverpool (H)
- 11 Feb 2017: Arsenal (A)
A win would help before this run.
25 Feb 2017: Burnley (H)
This game stands out as a potential 6 pointer. The fact that Hull will be at home against a team that may find themselves fighting for premier league survival could determine which team survives come May. Hull won this fixture 3-0 in the Championship and their fans will demand a similar result in February 2017. It could be the 3 points that keeps them safe.
04 Apr 2017: Middlesbrough (H)
Another match that could determine who stays and who goes. As they did Burnley, Hull beat Middlesbrough 3-0 in this game last season when both teams were battling for promotion to the premier league so I am sure Hull have highlighted this one as a very important game during the 2016/17 season. Home form will be crucial as always for teams trying to avoid relegation and this is the type of game Hull must win to ensure survival.
06 May 2017: Sunderland (H)
Under David Moyes many pundits are expecting a stronger more organised Sunderland next season. He is known for getting teams to play effectively but not attractively enough. Sunderland won’t care how attractive their football is for now so I am sure the board and fans will support David in anyway possible to ensure a prolonged stay in the top flight. In saying that this game could be the one where Hull clinch safety, especially if Sunderland have nothing to play for and are sitting above that 40-point mark. With Crystal Palace away and Tottenham at home in their last two games, Hull will see this match as a huge opportunity to potentially confirm their status as a premier league club for the 2017/18 season.
Leicester City
20 Aug 2016: Arsenal (H)
In this match you have 1st v 2nd. Normally that should be enough to explain why this is an important game for both teams so early on in the season but there is more. This is a match for Leicester to prove early that last season was no fluke. It will be Leicester’s first home match of the new season as champions. If Arsenal beat Leicester in convincing fashion it may set the marker down for the other premier league big boys to re-establish themselves as serious competitors for the premier league trophy. If Leicester win then they send out a strong statement of intent. Last year this fixture was one of the games of the season; ending 2-5 to Arsenal. Prepare yourselves for another classic.
24 Sep 2016: Manchester United (A)
This is another big game where the foxes can show the world and the premier league that they will not let go of their trophy without a fight. With Jose at the helm we are sure Old Trafford will become a fortress once more so if Leicester are able to beat United or deny United 3 points it will again be a clear indication of Leicester’s intentions for this season. It should be a competitive game and definitely one to look forward to for neutrals.
10 Dec 2016: Manchester City (H)
It seems that Leicester fans can look forward to the big games this season. This comes as a result of being champions and there will be a long list of ‘big’ teams that would want to prove that last season was a fluke. With Pep managing a youthful and exciting City side they could make a statement this season by beating Leicester convincingly in the busy month of December. Ranieri will also want to prove his managerial capabilities against a manager widely regarded as the best in the world of football. This should be a good game between two tactically different teams.
18 Mar 2017: West Ham United (A)
If as expected Leicester begin to drop out of the premier league title race towards March then this match could be a big one in determining who qualifies for the Europa and potentially the Champions League if the season has as many twists and turns as last year. West Ham have moved to a fantastic new stadium and will believe they can win every home game they play. The last game between these two sides ended 2-2 and was an extremely exciting game with 3 goals coming in the last 7 minutes. With both teams potentially fighting to European qualifications expect another classic.
22 Apr 2017: Tottenham Hotspur (H)
The two battled valiantly for the premier league title last season and will do battle again this year. Similar to the game above v West Ham, this game could be very important in determining who places where and who qualifies for what European competition. Spurs will want to finish above Leicester this season considering the agonising way in which they lost the league last year. However Leicester will not want to roll over especially at home.
Liverpool
13 Aug 2016: Arsenal (A)
Liverpool play Arsenal at the Emirates in their first premier league match of the 2016/17 season. We think both managers would have preferred to avoid this fixture so early on in the season but it would be a positive for either team if they could get a win. Arsenal have a few defensive concerns going into the season and we are sure Klopp will be looking to capitalise on these issues. With the additions of Mane and Wijnaldum to complement the talent of Coutinho and Firmino this could be a very entertaining match indeed and a chance for Liverpool to demonstrate how dangerous their new look attack is.
15 Oct 2016: Manchester United (H)
United coming to Anfield is always one to look out for in the football calendar but even more so now as it will be Jose v Klopp. Two very talented managers will go head to head in a big fixture between two of the biggest clubs in the UK (historically speaking). Klopp’s energetic gegenpressing v Jose’s physical pragmatism. Expect fireworks at both ends of the pitch.
18 Mar 2017 Manchester City (A)
Liverpool may be in with a shout of competing for the premier league title this season considering the fact that they are not in any European competition and Klopp has recently stated that this is now ‘his squad’ and not the one inherited from Brendan Rodgers. This being the case a game like this against Manchester City at this stage of the season will be a very important game for both sides. Liverpool played fantastically well v City last season in the league. They beat them 1-4 away from home and 3-0 at home. City could not cope with the pace and intensity of Liverpool on both occasions and Klopp will be hoping to replicate this in the match v the Citizens in March. Pep of course will have other ideas. This should be a cracking game.
01 Apr 2017: Everton (H)
At this stage of the season this derby game will be crucial to both Everton and Liverpool. Liverpool have a great record over Everton in the league having not lost a premier league game to them since October 2010 and will be looking to continue that run of form in this match. Everton will of course want to correct the past couple of seasons and especially the 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield last season. We predict another red card or two…
13 May 2017: West Ham United (A)
Again considering the way West Ham performed last season this game could go a long way in determining who qualifies for what in the season. West Ham will be competitive in the league as will Liverpool and both teams could find themselves quite close to each other in terms of placings come May. Expect a very competitive game and an incredible atmosphere in the last game of the season at the Olympic Park.
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