Manchester United have the easiest start to the 2026-27 Premier League season, according to new analysis.
The much-anticipated fixture list was at last released at 10am on Friday morning, giving supporters their first real insight into how their clubs’ seasons could shape up.
Opta Analyst has now used a system that scores teams one to 100, and predicts exactly which club has the so-called ‘kindest’ start to the season.
Michael Carrick will begin his first full campaign in charge of the Red Devils with a trip to Hull City, Opta’s lowest ranked side with a rating of 82.2, before hosting Ipswich Town and travelling to Everton.
It isn’t until September 12 that United face one of the ‘Big Six’, when Manchester City visit Old Trafford for the derby. The following week, United close out their opening five at Craven Cottage.
And, according to the analysis, that run is the easiest of any side in the Premier League to begin the season, beating those of Newcastle United and Liverpool, who sit in second and third place respectively.
Opta Analysts have used a system that scores teams one to 100, and predicts exactly which club has the so-called ‘kindest’ start to the season
Manchester United have the easiest run of any club to start the season, according to the analysis
Andoni Iraola’s opening five games as Liverpool manager are meanwhile ranked the third easiest
It marks a huge opportunity for Carrick, appointed following a stellar spell as interim manager, to get his second campaign in the Old Trafford hotseat off to a blistering start.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will meanwhile get his reign on Merseyside underway with a tricky trip to St James’ Park, though the four games which follow are, on paper, a lot easier.
The Spaniard’s debut in Anfield’s home dugout comes the following week against Nottingham Forest before clashes with Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth follow.
That run has been scored at a difficulty rating of 90.7, only marginally more difficult than the Magpies’ 89.9.
According to Opta, this season’s frontrunners Man City and Arsenal are faced with identically difficult starts with a rating of 90.9.
The season’s curtain-raiser will take place at the Emirates when the Gunners face newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21, in a fixture which will mark the Sky Blues’ first in the top flight in 25 years.
Mikel Arteta’s title defence then continues with a trip to Aston Villa and a home clash against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea before back-to-back away games against Sunderland and Brighton.
City, who are yet to appoint Pep Guardiola’s successor, meanwhile welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad on the opening day of the season ahead of a difficult trip south to face Crystal Palace. Then come games against Coventry, United and Sunderland.
Frank Lampard and Coventry mark their return to the Premier League with a trip to Arsenal
That run could mark Enzo Maresca’s first five in the City hotseat, with the Italian heavily linked with a return to management at the Etihad.
Elsewhere, his old club Chelsea, now led by former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, face a run scored with a difficulty rating of 91.4.
The Spaniard begins his Stamford Bridge tenure with a mouth-watering west London derby against Fulham before facing Brighton, Arsenal, Hull and Brentford.
But which club has been dealt the most difficult hand?
That title is reserved for Bournemouth, according to the system, who will go into the season without Iraola at the helm for the first time in three years.
The Cherries are yet to appoint a successor for the 43-year-old but whoever takes over will be tasked with a difficult opening-day trip to the Etihad.
The Dorset club then face Everton, Newcastle and Brentford before Iraola makes a much-anticipated return to the Vitality Stadium on matchday five.
Sunderland, who begin their campaign at Portman Road, are ranked as having the second easiest start, just ahead of Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
After storming to the Championship title last season, the Midlands club host Hull City after their tricky opening day trip to the Emirates.
Coventry then travel to Man City before more winnable fixtures against Brighton and Nottingham Forest await.
