Hull City are among the clubs facing a tough start to the 2026/27 Premier League season as fixture analysis shows which sides have the easiest and hardest opening games
James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc and Paul Gallagher
09:00, 21 Jun 2026
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Sergej Jakirovic has guided Hull City to the Premier League(Image: Kieran McManus/Shutterstock)
Manchester United have been given the most favourable start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, with the fixture list pitting them against two newly-promoted clubs in their opening two matches.
Michael Carrick's side are being tipped to make a flying start as they head to Hull City for their curtain-raiser, before welcoming Ipswich Town to Old Trafford for their second fixture. The Tigers will be hoping they have something to say on that.
Man United's third league outing presents a tougher test in the shape of a journey to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton, yet overall they possess comfortably the most straightforward opening three fixtures of any top-flight club, based on average finishing positions from last season.
Hull City's opening three games see them start with Man United, then fellow new boys Coventry City away and Aston Villa at home. It means they are ranked with having one of the hardest starts in facing two Champions League clubs in the first three games.
Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City will be given the chance to find their rhythm early on, with opening schedules that appear, on paper at least, highly favourable.
Behind Man United, it is Liverpool who have the second-most manageable start to the season, based on last term's final standings. The Reds kick off with Newcastle United away, before welcoming Nottingham Forest and then heading to Ipswich Town, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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Manchester City are regarded as having the third-easiest opening to the season, starting with a home clash against Bournemouth, before travelling to Crystal Palace and then welcoming promoted Coventry City to the Etihad.
Nevertheless, both Manchester clubs will face a stern early test on the fourth matchday, when they go head-to-head in the first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 12th September. Newly-promoted Ipswich Town, meanwhile, face the toughest start of any side in the division.
The fixture list has dealt the Tractor Boys a particularly gruelling opening run as they gear up for their seventh stint in the top flight come August.
Ipswich kick off with a home match against Sunderland, before making the trip to Old Trafford to face United, then returning to Portman Road at the start of September to host Liverpool.
All three of their opening opponents secured European football by finishing inside the top seven of the Premier League last season.
Here are the 'easiest' and 'toughest' starts to the season based on the average finishing position of the first 3 opponents in 2025/26:.
Manchester United: 19.7.
Liverpool: 16.7.
Manchester City: 14.
Sunderland: 14.
Brentford: 12.7.
Tottenham Hotspur: 12.3.
Nottingham Forest: 12.
Arsenal: 11.7.
Aston Villa: 11.
Leeds United: 11.
Fulham: 10.7.
Brighton and Hove Albion: 9.3.
Hull City: 9.3.
Newcastle United: 9.3.
Bournemouth: 9.
Coventry City: 9.
Crystal Palace: 8.7.
Everton: 8.
Chelsea: 6.7.
Ipswich Town: 5.
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