Matchweek One

The season opener with the Premier League champions taking on the newly promoted Frank Lampard's side. Of course it goes to script — the Gunners rudely welcome back the Sky Blues for their first top-flight match in 25 years. Frank Lampard's redemption arc crashes headfirst into Arteta's mission of defending their title. The Emirates will be rocking from the first whistle. Coventry have nothing to lose and everything to gain from even a competitive 80 minutes before the legs go. Arsenal have everything to prove and a squad hungry to make a statement.

Carrick's competitive debut as the permanent United manager, away at a ground that will be electric for Hull's first Premier League home game after their promotion. Hull will set up to make it uncomfortable. United need to start well — and after some initial hiccups, they come alive. Three full points here, against a newly promoted side, on the first day — that is the perfect start for the Red Devils.

A solid mid-table clash to open the season — Moyes's Everton, settled into their second year at Hill Dickinson, against a Pierre Sage Crystal Palace side with genuine Europa League ambitions. Everton want consolidation; last season was about bedding in, the new stadium, the new identity. Year two is about showing they belong. Palace want a statement — Sage has organised them well, they have depth, and they'll fancy their chances of picking up points against a side that Moyes traditionally sets up to grind rather than excite.

Two clubs on very different trajectories collide in a match that matters enormously to both. Ipswich are the Couch's bottom club — a squad that needs reinforcements the window may not deliver. Sunderland are the Couch's Team of the Season — Granit Xhaka leading a side with genuine quality, Europa League football to look forward to, and Wilson Isidor waiting to announce himself to the Premier League.

Two Tier 4 clubs — the honest, unglamorous grind of the Premier League middle section — open against each other at the City Ground. Forest under Glasner have home advantage and a manager who knows how to set up a team for a tight win. Leeds under Farke are in their first season back and will set up compactly and look to nick something on the counter. Classic Saturday afternoon football. Nobody outside these two cities will watch this and they'll be poorer for it.

De Zerbi heads into his first full season in charge away at a ground where Spurs have historically found it difficult. Brentford in their second year under Keith Andrews are organised, settled, and dangerous at home. Tottenham have the quality — Tonali anchoring the midfield after a £100m investment, van de Ven marshalling the back line — but Kudus is touch-and-go for fitness, and away day openers have a habit of humbling Spurs. This fixture has produced drama consistently for three seasons. The Couch expects nothing less.

Two excellent tacticians — Hürzeler and Emery — meeting on the opening Sunday. Brighton are without Mitoma and Minteh to start the season, which is a significant blow to their attacking threat. Villa have lost Rogers and Tielemans — which is painful, genuinely — and are in the opening act of Emery's third season, the one that decides everything. Both teams want to make a statement. Neither is at full strength. Classic opening weekend stuff.

Maresca's first home game as City manager — and against the club he transformed before getting this job. A tidy, uncomfortable narrative. The Etihad will be watching its new manager closely, comparing every touchline decision to a decade of Guardiola. That is not fair, but it is real. Bournemouth under Marco Rose are organised and won't be embarrassed — Junior Kroupi is injured, which hurts their attack, but Rose's defensive structure will give them shape.

The West London derby to close MW1. Xabi Alonso's competitive Chelsea debut — in a London derby, away at Craven Cottage, on a Monday night. Alonso could not have designed a more difficult opening game if he'd tried. Fulham, the Couch's relegated pick, have everything to prove in MW1 against a direct rival. Arbeloa versus Alonso: two former Real Madrid men, one conversation, no quarter given.