Every Premier League club has been ranked by how difficult their first five fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign are based on the stats, and it would appear Liverpool's life under Andoni Iraola could be off to a flyer. Of course, it's always difficult to predict how a team's season will unfold, especially before a ball has even been kicked.
A club's performances from the previous campaign, the quality of its squad and manager, and how kindly the fixture list falls can all offer clues. But the truth is, a week is a long time in football, let alone an entire summer. Transfer windows can change the landscape so dramatically that nobody can be completely sure how teams will fare when the new term gets underway.
Will Arsenal retain their title and continue laying the foundations of a dynasty under Mikel Arteta? What does life after Pep Guardiola look like for Manchester City? Or can a refreshed Tottenham side rise from the ashes and hit the ground running?
They are all fair questions to ponder as domestic football takes a back seat to the 2026 World Cup, with every club knowing that a positive start could set the tone for the season ahead, and Opta have put in the hard yards to work out which clubs have it easiest at the start based on opponents' average rating.
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20-16
Andoni Iraola gives thumbs-up after Bournemouth Premier League gameREUTERS/Peter Powell
Only two clubs have an easier start to the season than Liverpool, whose opponents have an average rating of 90.3/100. As fate would have it, the Reds once again begin their campaign away at Newcastle - the scene of last season's dramatic 4-3 victory, when Rio Ngumoha struck a late winner. They then face Nottingham Forest and Fulham at Anfield, with a trip to Fulham sandwiched in between, before Iraola returns to Bournemouth for the first time since his departure last season in gameweek five.
Newcastle (89.9) have a slightly easier schedule on paper, helped in no small part by a home fixture against playoff winners Hull City in gameweek five. However, Manchester United (89.3) boast the most favourable opening run, with the Red Devils kicking off the season with back-to-back matches against newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town. The viral fan who vowed not to cut his hair until United win five matches in a row will be hoping a trip to the barbers is finally on the cards after a matchweek-three visit to Everton, before their city rivals make the short journey to Old Trafford a week later.
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Rounding out this section are Brentford and Crystal Palace. Both clubs head into the campaign on the back of hugely successful seasons. Keith Andrews' side mounted an unlikely push for Europa Conference League qualification, only to be pipped by Brighton on goal difference, while the Eagles won that very competition in Oliver Glasner's final match in charge.
Every PL Club's First 5 Fixtures Ranked From Easiest To Hardest (20-16)
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15-11
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Premier League
As champions, Arsenal have the privilege of kicking off the new season at home to last season's Championship winners, Coventry City, on Friday night. Trips to Chelsea and Sunderland that follow are far from straightforward, but the Gunners have already shown they possess the mentality to overcome whatever is thrown their way. Manchester City's schedule has been given the same difficulty rating of 90.9, which is just 0.1 less favourable than Everton's.
Nottingham Forest's opponent rating of 91.1 has been driven up by away trips to both Liverpool and Aston Villa. As a result, Vitor Pereira will be desperate to bank points from their other three fixtures - Leeds United, Tottenham, and Coventry City at the City Ground - to avoid unwanted pressure from owner Evangelos Marinakis. The Greek businessman proved last season that he is not afraid to pull the trigger, cycling through four different head coaches in a managerial merry-go-round.
Aston Villa come in with the 11th-most difficult opening run of fixtures. A 176-mile trip to the south coast to face Brighton is no easy way to start the campaign, and things hardly get any easier with Arsenal visiting Villa Park in their second match.
Every PL Club's First 5 Fixtures Ranked From Easiest To Hardest (15-11)
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10-6
Chelsea
Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso's guidance, face three away London derbies in their opening five fixtures. There is some comfort in the fact they will not have to travel far, while they have lost just three of their last 14 matches in the capital. However, Opta believes Arsenal, Fulham, and Brentford will provide a stern examination for the Spaniard as he looks to get his tenure off to a strong start.
Leeds United and Ipswich Town come next, with both clubs handed an opponent difficulty rating of 91.7. Fulham, meanwhile, find themselves ranked seventh after being dealt fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in their first five outings. Just ahead of them are Hull City, whose only real breathing space comes in the form of a trip to fellow newcomers Coventry City in their third match of the campaign.
Every PL Club's First 5 Fixtures Ranked From Easiest To Hardest (10-6)
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5-1
Coventry City's Frank Lampard
Tottenham have been among the busiest clubs in the transfer market so far, and they will be hoping their new-look squad can hit the ground running despite an average opponent rating of 92.2. Brighton's rating is 0.4 higher, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa all on the agenda in what promises to be a tricky start to a campaign that also includes the added challenge of juggling European football.
Coventry City, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for a baptism of fire in their first season back in the top flight since relegation from the Premier League in 2000/01. Trips to Arsenal and Man City - last season's top two - make for a daunting introduction, and it is remarkable that their opening five fixtures are still not rated as difficult as those of two other clubs.
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Second in the rankings are Sunderland, while the club handed the toughest start on paper is Bournemouth under new manager Marco Rose. Away trips to Man City and Newcastle are certainly not to be taken lightly, while home meetings with Everton and Liverpool mean a clash with Brentford stands out as their most favourable fixture. Even then, Andrews' side have built a reputation for punching above their weight, meaning there is unlikely to be any room for error as Bournemouth look to avoid being thrown in at the deep end early on.
Every PL Club's First 5 Fixtures Ranked From Easiest To Hardest (5-1)
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1.