Premier League Fixtures: LVG's Man United to set pace

Louis van Gaal has been given a friendly opening set of fixtures

The fixture announcement hints that Louis van Gaal won't be too taxed in his early Premier League dealings...

It was always likely that Man United would be dealt a kinder start by the Premier League's fixture computer after being treated so cruelly last season, facing Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City within their first five games, and so it has proven.

While Louis van Gaal's Premier League reign will begin against the same opponents as David Moyes - Swansea, albeit this time at Old Trafford - the encounters that follow it are far gentler: Sunderland away, Burnley away, QPR at home, Leicester away and West Ham at home.

It won't be until October that they meet one of the clubs who finished above them last term, Everton, hinting at some Cash Out potential in their current winner odds of 7.413/2. The lack of any European distractions should further assist their bid for a brisk getaway.

By contrast, 2013/14's top two Man City and Liverpool collide on the second weekend, Chelsea visit Everton on week three and Man City on week five, while Tottenham and Liverpool tangle on week three.

Arsenal will struggle to assert themselves as early leaders this time around too, with Everton (away), Man City (home), Tottenham (home) and Chelsea (away) all forming part of their opening seven-match sequence.

Looking at it in the reverse order, Man United have a fairly straightforward May in prospect - West Brom (home), Crystal Palace (away), Arsenal (home) and Hull (away) - but it will only be any good if they survive April, when they host Man City and travel to Chelsea and Everton within 15 days.

With the exception of Chelsea away, Liverpool have an attractive final stretch with which to attempt to replicate 2013/14's strong finish: Newcastle (home), Hull (away), West Brom (away), QPR (home), Crystal Palace (home) and Stoke (away).

Recommended Bet: Back Man United to win the Premier League @ 7.413/2

Week One (weekend of August 16):
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Burnley v Chelsea
Leicester v Everton
Liverpool v Southampton
Man United v Swansea
Newcastle v Man City
QPR v Hull
Stoke v Aston Villa
West Brom v Sunderland
West Ham v Tottenham

Latest Premier League Title Odds

Chelsea [3.05]
Man City [3.15]
Man United [7.2]
Liverpool [8.6]
Arsenal [11.0]
Tottenham [60.0]
Everton [180.0]