After fans of the three promoted clubs learnt their fixtures for their first season back in the Premier League, naturally, their eyes will be drawn to the opening weekend, when Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest will aim to make history as a promoted trio.
See: All 380 Premier League fixtures released
Never before have all three promoted clubs won their first match back in the competition and they will face a test to set a record this season.
Fulham travel to Anfield on 6 August, while AFC Bournemouth host Aston Villa and Forest travel to Newcastle United.
But they can take hope from the performances of the promoted teams on the opening weekend of 2021/22, who came mightily close.
Last season, Brentford beating Arsenal and Watford overcoming Villa equalled the Premier League record of six points gained from the promoted teams in Matchweek 1.
The only time it had happened previously was in 1997/98, when Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace also won.
Promoted teams in Matchweek 1
| P | W | D | L | Pts | Pts/match | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 17 | 21 | 51 | 72 | 0.81 | 19 |
Could this be the year?
While Forest have had to wait the longest for a chance at this record, with their 23-year absence being the biggest gap between Premier League seasons for one club, their history on the opening weekend suggests they can hold up their end of the bargain.
Indeed, they should not fear whomever they are scheduled to play on 6 August because they have won four of their five previous opening-weekend Premier League matches.
MW1 record 2022/23 promoted clubs
| Club | P | W | D | L | Win % |
| NFO | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 80 |
| FUL | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 33.3 |
| BOU | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 20 |
And while Fulham and AFC Bournemouth have won only a third and fifth of their season openers respectively, they need only look to the likes of Brentford, Huddersfield Town and Blackpool for inspiration.
These teams are among those who have produced some of the most iconic returns to the Premier League for promoted clubs.
Also in this series
Part 1: Test your knowledge of opening-day fixtures
Part 3: Can Man City avoid another false start?
Part 4: Does another goal fest beckon to kick off 2022/23?
Part 5: Salah targets another opening-weekend goal record
Part 6: Can Klopp extend his unbeaten opening-day record?
Part 7: Forest's fine opening weekend record faces stiff test
