One Premier League season has just finished, with last-day drama at both ends of the table. But luckily, we don’t have to wait too long for the bonkers Barclays madness to start all over again. If you’re thinking about grabbing Premier League tickets, you’ll probably be thinking about the obvious ones. Manchester United vs Manchester City, Spurs vs Arsenal, the Merseyside derby.
But these are the games where it’s always hardest to get tickets. Unsurprisingly, because they feature some of the best teams in the country facing off against each other.
But look a little closer when the fixture list is released, because there are five fixtures next season that just might be must-see football.
Hidden Gem #1: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
“Lads, it’s Tottenham.”
Those three words form the half-time team talk, in its entirety, of Sir Alex Ferguson in a Manchester United comeback win from 3-0 down against Spurs. It might be overshadowed by both teams’ rivalry with Arsenal, but Spurs vs Man United hasn’t disappointed. The last four fixtures alone have seen 19 goals. If you’re looking for Manchester United tickets, then this is the fixture to look out for.
Hidden Gem #2: Liverpool vs Brighton
Klopp vs Pep. Klopp vs Tuchel. And next season, Klopp vs Ten Hag. People buy Liverpool tickets to see how the mercurial German coach stacks up against the best managers in the league, and more often than not, Jurgen Klopp walks away with the win.
But there’s one manager who seems to give Jurgen Klopp a run for his money. Over the past two seasons, Graham Potter’s record against Liverpool is dead even. Played four, drawn two, lost one, won one. Has the wily Englishmen worked out a way to nullify Liverpool’s pressing game, or is it just dumb luck? One thing’s for sure – we’ll find out next season at Anfield and the AmEx.
Hidden Gem #3: Chelsea vs Fulham
Manchester, Liverpool, North London – even Birmingham and Sheffield. When you think of Premier League derby days, chances are you aren’t rushing to buy Chelsea tickets. And really, that’s not really a surprise. It’s been 18 years since Fulham last won a South London derby – in which time Chelsea have racked up league, cup and European trophies.
But this coming season could be fascinating. Chelsea’s big money strikers have underperformed for two seasons running, while Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has just set a record by scoring 43 goals in a single season. Can the Serbian finally step up a gear and prove he’s got what it takes to be a Premier League striker? There’d be no better place to showcase his skills than Stamford Bridge.
Hidden Gem #4 – Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
What do we want to see at football matches? Goals! And where can you find goals in the Premier League? At Arsenal vs Wolves!
It might sound bizarre, but this fixture is quietly one of the most exciting and hard-fought match-ups in the Premier League. There hasn’t been a goalless draw in this fixture since 1975, and the teams share a very even record over the past ten fixtures. It might not have the glamour of the North London Derby or Arsenal vs Man Utd, but if you’re looking for Arsenal tickets, it’s well worth checking to see when Wolves are in town.
One won the title on the last day of the season, and one staved off relegation with the last kick of the 21/22 campaign. On the face of it, City and Leeds don’t have much in common.
Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find they share more than you’d think. Both spent time as low down as League One in the recent past, both share a hearty dislike for City’s close neighbours at Old Trafford, and most intriguingly of all, both have a claim to Erling Haaland’s affections.
The Norwegian sensation might be City’s newest, most exciting signing, but he was born in Leeds and grew up supporting the Peacocks. Will that stop him from terrorising Leeds’ defence? Probably not, but that’s an intriguing enough reason to grab some Manchester City tickets for this game!
No matter what the new Premier League season has in store, there’ll be plenty of matches to enjoy beyond the Big Six clashes and headline derbies. Which games are you looking forward to the most?
