Manchester United have been handed the 'easiest' start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, with the fixtures computer lining them up against two newly-promoted teams in their first two games.
Michael Carrick's side could be off to a flier as they face Hull City away in their first game followed by a tie against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
United's third league match is a more challenging trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton, but overall they have by far the easiest opening three fixtures of any team, based on average finishing positions last season.
Fellow Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City will also be able to ease themselves into the season with fixtures which are, on paper at least, winnable games.
Liverpool and Man City also have favorable starts
After United, it is Liverpool who have the 'second-easiest' start to the season, based on last season's standings. Their opening games are Newcastle United (A), Nottingham Forest (H) and Ipswich Town (A).
Manchester City are ranked as having the 'third-easiest' start as they face Bournemouth at home followed by Crystal Palace away and then another promoted side, Coventry City, at the Etihad.
However, the Manchester clubs will then face a stern test on the fourth match day as they play each other in the first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 12th September.
Ipswich Town face toughest start
Newly-promoted Ipswich Town have the toughest start to the season. The fixtures computer has set up a particularly challenging start to the campaign for the Tractor Boys, who will be embarking on their seventh season in the top division in August.
Ipswich kick off with a home game against Sunderland, followed by the trip to Old Trafford to face United and then it's back to Portman Road at the start of September to host Liverpool.
All of their first three opponents qualified for European competition by finishing in the top seven places in the Premier League last season.
Chelsea have the 'second-hardest' start to the season, with their first three games against Fulham (A), Brighton (H), and Arsenal (A). They are followed by Everton who face Crystal Palace (H), Bournemouth (A) and Manchester United (H).
Easiest and toughest starts based on average finishing position
- Manchester United: 19.7
- Liverpool: 16.7
- Manchester City: 14
- Sunderland: 14
- Brentford: 12.7
- Tottenham Hotspur: 12.3
- Nottingham Forest: 12
- Arsenal: 11.7
- Aston Villa: 11
- Leeds United: 11
- Fulham: 10.7
- Brighton and Hove Albion: 9.3
- Hull City: 9.3
- Newcastle United: 9.3
- Bournemouth: 9
- Coventry City: 9
- Crystal Palace: 8.7
- Everton: 8
- Chelsea: 6.7
- Ipswich Town: 5
