Antonio Conte’s first Premier League match as Chelsea head coach, a home encounter against West Ham United, is one of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend of the 2016/17 campaign, according to Andy Townsend, who expects a tough test for the Blues.
The Italian will take charge of Chelsea after coaching Italy in their Uefa Euro 2016 campaign, which could finish with the final on Sunday 10 July.
Just over a month later Slaven Bilic’s West Ham will travel to Chelsea, who finished 10th in a disappointing Premier League title defence last season, in the opening round of fixtures, which were announced today.
Townsend feels that West Ham, who finished seventh last season, 12 points above Chelsea, will give the 2014/15 champions a tough start.
“Antonio Conte’s first game against Slaven Bilic is going to be very interesting,” Townsend, a former Chelsea player, said. “West Ham are an emerging team. Chelsea, after what was a poor season in many ways, will want to get back on track.
“Arsenal v Liverpool is also a great fixture to get the season up and running with a bang, Jurgen Klopp bringing his Liverpool men down to London.
“Liverpool will want a better start to the season to push for a top four place.”
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