Premier League 2016 Schedule Released

General view of an Adidas soccer ball - Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
General view of an Adidas soccer ball - Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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While this summer is full of international matches in the EURO Championships and Copa America, the Premier League released their 2016 schedule, which starts in two months.

The 2016-17 EPL schedule has been released today, and Leicester City will look to defend their unlikely title starting in early August against the recently promoted Hull City, via ESPN. The first match week has a full slate of games, with some that stand out.

Of course, everyone will want to see how Leicester City fare in their title defense. Right now, Hull City looks like three points for the Foxes. However, Leicester City were close to the same position last season that Hull are currently in.

Probably the most intriguing game, though, is Arsenal vs. Liverpool. Arsenal have been so close to taking the Premier League title for many years but have never come through, while Liverpool has been pretty average for the last few seasons. Can either team change their fate? This will be Liverpool’s new manager Jürgen Klopp’s first full season with the Reds. After his run in the Europa League, is he the guy to change the failure of recent Liverpool teams?

Another intriguing game on opening day is Chelsea vs. West Ham United. Chelsea has a new manager, Antonio Conte, who will look to take Chelsea back to prominence. West Ham, on the other hand, proved that they can play with the best last season. If they can keep Dimitri Payet (unlikely), they could make a pretty good run at the top four.

The Premier League, though, is a long season. While opening day will give us some answers, we will find out more as the season rolls through the late months of the year and into 2017.

Leicester City was the unlikeliest of teams to win the Premier League last season, they will look to defend their title in one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Here are the rest of the matches for week one, August, 13:

AFC Bournemouth vs. Manchester United
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Burnley vs. Swansea City
Chelsea vs. West Ham United
Crystal Palace vs. West Bromwich Albion
Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Hull City vs. Leicester City
Manchester City vs. Sunderland
Middlesbrough vs. Stoke City
Southampton vs. Watford

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