Alex Keble looks at key matches following Fixture Release Day on Thursday.
Can Pochettino benefit from kind start?
The task facing new Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino would appear to have got just that little bit easier.
Pochettino has the unenviable job of redefining the club’s playing style while simultaneously slimming down a bloated squad.
And, with two Chelsea managers forced out last season for underperformance, time is not on the Argentinian's side.
Thankfully, Pochettino begins with what seem to be some relatively straightforward matches that should allow Chelsea to rebuild their fragile confidence and settle into the new rhythms of his tactics.
That might seem like an odd conclusion to draw, considering that they face Liverpool on the opening Sunday.
But once this home match is out of the way, Pochettino can reset the narrative in the following weeks when Chelsea play West Ham United (away), Luton Town (home), Nottingham Forest (home) and AFC Bournemouth (away).
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Chelsea did not lose any of the corresponding fixtures last season (and, to compare with the Luton match, they didn’t lose any home matches against promoted clubs either).
This suggests Pochettino can anticipate some solid performances and early points on the board.
Things went south very quickly last season for Graham Potter, who seemingly struggled to get the players back onside after some poor results in his first few matches.
It is imperative Pochettino take advantage of a kind fixture list.
Also in this series
Part 2: Will Liverpool and Man Utd relish early challenges?
Part 3: Can Postecoglou navigate through series of tough matches?
Part 4: Will Arsenal v Man City in October be season-defining?
