It’s mid-August, which in football terms can mean only one thing – it’s time to kick off a new season of the English Premier League (EPL).

This season’s competition promises to be one of the most exciting ever with several contenders primed to fight it out in the nine-month-long tournament.

Here is all to know ahead of the new season:

⚽ When does the new EPL season start?

• The season opener is on Friday, August 16 with Fulham away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

⚽ What is the 2024/25 format?

• There are 380 matches in the English Premier League spread over 38 rounds: 33 weekends, four midweek rounds and one Bank Holiday matchweek.
• The Premier League, the highest level of the English football league system, is contested by 20 clubs and operates on a system of promotion and relegation.
• The season runs from August to May, with each team playing 38 matches – two against each other, one home and one away.
• The final round of games will be played on Sunday, May 25 with all matches to kick off at the same time.

⚽ Matchday 1 of 38 schedule:

FA Cup winners United host Fulham on Friday at Old Trafford in Manchester in the first match of the new season.

The opening week will be headlined by defending champions City’s away game at London’s Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, who will be playing under new coach Enzo Maresca after Mauricio Pochettino left after just one season in charge.

Friday, August 16

• Manchester United vs Fulham: (19:00 GMT)

Saturday, August 17

• Ipswich Town vs Liverpool: (11:30 GMT)
• Arsenal vs Wolves: (14:00 GMT)
• Everton vs Brighton: (14:00 GMT)
• Newcastle vs Southampton: (14:00 GMT)
• Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth: (14:00 GMT)
• West Ham vs Aston Villa: (16:30 GMT)

Sunday, August 18

• Brentford vs Crystal Palace: (13:00 GMT)
• Chelsea vs Manchester City: (15:30 GMT)
• Leicester City vs Tottenham: (19:00 GMT)

⚽ Who has won the most EPL titles?

• 13: Manchester United
• 8: Manchester City
• 5: Chelsea
• 3: Arsenal
• 1: Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Liverpool

⚽ Who are the favourites to win the 2024-2025 EPL title?

The 2024-25 title race is expected to be a two-horse race between Manchester City and Arsenal.

City – who have won the title in each of the last four seasons – are the favourites to repeat their success.

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