Chelsea’s ‘Leaked’ First 8 2022/23 Premier League Fixtures Rubbished

Every year, the Premier League fixture list launch is hotly anticipated for despite the 20 teams in the top-flight being known and there being 38 guaranteed games. But the ordering of the fixture is what is deeply craved for

For the 2022/23 campaign, the fixtures will be confirmed on Thursday 16th June at 9am (UK), giving Chelsea the opportunity to begin plans for the season.

Thomas Tuchel's side have already had their pre-season plans confirmed. They will head to the United States for a tour of America next month, which will see them face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal in a week-long series across the country after their training camp in Los Angeles.

One thing that is for definite is the Premier League season starting on Saturday 6th August, but who Chelsea will face is still unknown.

Fixture schedules emerge every year of 'leaked' lists and this year is no different. One that surfaced online saw Chelsea face Southampton at St Mary's on the opening day, before hosting new-boys Nottingham Forest in their first home outing of the new season.

The first eight fixtures, if the list were to be true, would see Chelsea play Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Everton, an extremely difficult set of fixtures to begin the new season as Tuchel eyes a title challenge in a bid to win the club's first league title since 2017.

The leaked eight fixtures in full:

Southampton (a)

Nottingham Forest (h)

Manchester City (a)

Tottenham Hotspur (h)

Leicester City (a)

Wolves (a)

Newcastle United (h)

Everton (a)

But West Ham insider EXWHUemployee has rubbished the leaked list at the first attempt, which will mean fans will need to wait until Thursday for the final and official confirmation from the Premier League.

Final decisions over scheduling of fixtures need to be confirmed by the respective parties to ensure their are no clashes with other events and no clubs in close proximity playing at the same time.

There is an international break on 24 September which would see the 'leaked' list be incorrect as a result of the dates listed with the respective fixtures.

From those eight fixtures, Tuchel will be hoping for a kinder start, especially not having to travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Pep Guardiola's champions so early on in the season. However, it could work the other way - play the big sides early on which means they haven't got up to 100 percent speed, giving the Blues a chance to capitalise to take some important points away from their title rivals.