PL 2021/22 - Fixture Release

[StanSP]

2 hours ago, AgainstAllOdds said:

Home games after the Europa League really are important. But that aside, when we play everyone really doesn't bother me. We'll have to play all 19 teams twice, the order doesn't matter! 

I think it does.

[Wymsey]

Hopefully, the first five league games:

 

Watford - Home

Chelsea - Away

Burnley - Home

Manchester City - Away

Norwich - Home

 

[Gamble92]

14 hours ago, TheUltimateWinner said:

Looking forward to the “leak” on Tuesday that turns out to be false  

Always presented in a blurred format or off a camera phone to really give the illusion it's on a coffee table somewhere in Premier League HQ

[snoopy87]

17 hours ago, FoxesWalk said:

Hopefully we don’t have a concentration of hard fixtures in the last few games of the season again. Think people underestimate this as a factor as to why we lost ground to the likes of Liverpool at the end of last season. 

That isn't what cost us top 4 two seasons running, Newcastle at home and Southampton away this season and only taking a point out of canon fodder Norwich the season before is the problem.

 

There's a mental problem with the inferior teams when it actually matters

[FoxesWalk]

2 hours ago, snoopy87 said:

That isn't what cost us top 4 two seasons running, Newcastle at home and Southampton away this season and only taking a point out of canon fodder Norwich the season before is the problem.

 

There's a mental problem with the inferior teams when it actually matters

Yeah I’m not saying it’s the sole reason, but it’s a factor as to why we have been ahead of other sides we compete with up there as we have approached the run it. If we had Liverpool’s fixture list there is a good chance that we would have been the ones chasing them, and had we not quite made it the narrative wouldn’t be the same as being in the top 4 then dropping out at the end again. 
 

It changes the narrative more than the actual outcome, I agree it’s those lesser games that cost us. West Ham had a significantly better record than us vs non “big 6” teams. We can beat the big boys, just need to be more consistent in games we are expect to be winning. 

Edited 15 June 2021 by FoxesWalk

[Xen]

The last time two of the (current) 'big 6' played against each other on the final matchweek of a season was way back in 2008-09, when Spurs faced Liverpool. If its a totally random fixture list, then the odds of that happening in one season is about 34.7%, and for that many seasons in a row (12) are just 0.0003%, or 1 in 330,000.

 

In fairness, one of their criteria that they put into the scheduling is probably to avoid the high-tension games between local teams at the climax to the season, which rules out Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs playing each other and prevents Man U from playing either Man City or Liverpool. If so, that would bring the likelihood of 12 years without a Big 6 final-day meeting right down to something more realistic, and explain why the odds shift the other way for non-big 6 sides.

 

It's probably a policing-related decision so I can't see it changing any time soon, but how good could it be if teams were 'seeded' based on previous years finishing position and the final gameweek matchups would put 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4 etc etc. There's a good chance there'd be something to play for in every single match, all kicking off at the same time, with most team's fate within their own hands.

[peach0000]

9 minutes ago, Xen said:

The last time two of the (current) 'big 6' played against each other on the final matchweek of a season was way back in 2008-09, when Spurs faced Liverpool. If its a totally random fixture list, then the odds of that happening in one season is about 34.7%, and for that many seasons in a row (12) are just 0.0003%, or 1 in 330,000.

 

In fairness, one of their criteria that they put into the scheduling is probably to avoid the high-tension games between local teams at the climax to the season, which rules out Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs playing each other and prevents Man U from playing either Man City or Liverpool. If so, that would bring the likelihood of 12 years without a Big 6 final-day meeting right down to something more realistic, and explain why the odds shift the other way for non-big 6 sides.

 

It's probably a policing-related decision so I can't see it changing any time soon, but how good could it be if teams were 'seeded' based on previous years finishing position and the final gameweek matchups would put 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4 etc etc. There's a good chance there'd be something to play for in every single match, all kicking off at the same time, with most team's fate within their own hands.

It’s not random at all the fixture list. Certain teams can’t play on the same day at home. Also they make sure the ‘big’ fixtures are spread evenly through the season for the broadcasters benefit. So they don’t all come at once and make it boring for the casual fan the rest of the time.

[Xen]

1 hour ago, peach0000 said:

It’s not random at all the fixture list. Certain teams can’t play on the same day at home. Also they make sure the ‘big’ fixtures are spread evenly through the season for the broadcasters benefit. So they don’t all come at once and make it boring for the casual fan the rest of the time.

Thats kind of my point. If it was random then the numbers don't make sense, so there's clearly some bias in how fixtures are scheduled (for good reason, usually). My main issue with it is if it gives certain teams an advantage (however slight) by consistently giving them 'easier' fixtures to end the season, which it seems to do...

[Super Shinji]

22 minutes ago, Xen said:

Thats kind of my point. If it was random then the numbers don't make sense, so there's clearly some bias in how fixtures are scheduled (for good reason, usually). My main issue with it is if it gives certain teams an advantage (however slight) by consistently giving them 'easier' fixtures to end the season, which it seems to do...

I’m sure they start planning the fixtures something silly like 10 months before they are announced. Obviously they have to have a few different simulations to account for who goes up/down but there was an article (somewhere) a few years ago that explained how much work goes in to it. They also have to consider things like other pre planned events to allow for enough police resource, avoid scheduling games like Newcastle v Brighton on New Year’s Day etc.

[Chrysalis]

3rd year in a row with tough end?

 

Mind you I prefer that to a tough start.

[Chrysalis]

The fixture list we already know is not random, I dont think its to favour the big 6 teams in their run in's but rather to cater for the tv companies.

 

The tv companies like to show matches where big 6 play each other, and they will have criteria sent to the EPL on how they should be spread out and played at certain points of the season, I expect season run in's things change a bit where they can focus on things like a relegation battle or fight for the title, and games that would usually have lower viewing figures get a boost, so I do expect the likes of sky will request that there wont be a liverpool vs manchester united as the final for an example.

 

With that said how they have fell for us since the title win seems a very bad run of luck, it will be interesting to see what happens on the next fixture list, but I still think a easy start is better than a easy finish.  We still blew points against lower table teams towards the end of the last 2 seasons.

[Stadt]

Great analysis from @Xen there. There’s naturally some oversight from the governing bodies regarding fixtures but it seems we as fans take it at face value that it’s all in good faith. 
 

I’m certain there’s not an anti-Leicester cabal plotting against us but to be faced with an almost statistically impossible (especially in relation to other’) set of fixtures is a piss take.

 

Greater transparency with the fixture list wouldn’t go amiss.

Edited 15 June 2021 by Stadt

[HybridFox]

38 minutes ago, Chrysalis said:

3rd year in a row with tough end?

 

Mind you I prefer that to a tough start.

I don't. It's the hope that kills you

[Tuna]

First three Villa A, Watford H, Liverpool A.

 

Boxing day Everton H.

 

New years day West Ham H.

 

Last three Man City H, Brighton A, Spurs H.

[HybridFox]

Just now, Tuna said:

First three Villa A, Watford H, Liverpool A.

 

Boxing day Everton H.

 

New years day West Ham H.

 

Last three Man City H, Brighton A, Spurs H.

At least Harry Kane will now screw us over with 2 games to spare 

[NZ_Foxile]

Fixtures released tomorrow, but of course those dates won’t stay as announced  How long will we have to wait for the TV companies to announce their disruptions to the early fixtures?

[SemperEadem]

You look at it this season and with the teams that went down we did lose some of the much better away trips.

[CosbehFox]

Some gonna get their wish about the run in.

[Fox92]

19 minutes ago, SemperEadem said:

You look at it this season and with the teams that went down we did lose some of the much better away trips.

All three relegated sides are good aways. Gutted. At least Leeds are still in the division and we ain't been there in years.

 

Brentford coming up provides a new ground which is always exciting. I don't mind going Norwich, albeit the distance is horrible, it's a nice City to visit and Carrow Road is a cracking ground. 

[Dan]

13 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

Some gonna get their wish about the run in.

Surely not again 💀

[UniFox21]

 

Honestly already thought there was some type of regulator in place. But this sounds positive for next year.

 

 

 

[moore_94]

Here is the 1st “leak”… opening game Wolves at home

 

 

[SemperEadem]

21 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

All three relegated sides are good aways. Gutted. At least Leeds are still in the division and we ain't been there in years.

 

Brentford coming up provides a new ground which is always exciting. I don't mind going Norwich, albeit the distance is horrible, it's a nice City to visit and Carrow Road is a cracking ground. 

Yeah a big day out in Leeds is one to look forward to but do think it is getting stale up there.

[AKCJ]

3 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Here is the 1st “leak”… opening game Wolves at home

 

 

Don't think i've ever seen one of these leaks be accurate.

[Fox92]

6 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

Don't think i've ever seen one of these leaks be accurate.

 Every year.