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Chelsea next five fixtures compared to Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle after West Ham win

Chelsea players celebrate after Cole Palmer's goal against West Ham
-Credit: (Image: Ben Whitley/PA Wire)


For a brief second, Enzo Maresca had his Chelsea side sat second in the Premier League table. After an opening day defeat to Manchester City and initial struggles in the Conference League as his team lacked cohesion and unity, even at this early stage it looked a long way off.

Instead, Chelsea have now recorded their first consecutive away cleansheets for almost two years after beating West Ham and Bournemouth since the international break. Under Mauricio Pochettino last season the same fixtures brought just one point with both trips historically causing Chelsea problems.

The same can be said of the visit to Wolves on matchday two. Chelsea were defeated at Molineux during the 2023/24 campaign but ran out resounding winners this time. Although the early form of West Ham, Bournemouth, and Wolves should temper things somewhat, it has been a positive start results wise for Maresca.

It was this stage of last year that ultimately went on to cost Pochettino the top four. His newly formed, youthful, and ill-disciplined group only recorded one win from their opening six games, losing three. By May it was the difference between a Champions League spot and what ended up only enough for Europe's third tier.

Chelsea knew they couldn't afford to make the same mistake this time and have made moves towards gelling as a unit. They will still be in a fight to get back to the elite stage of club football though as they battle Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Manchester United.

Here, football.london takes a look at Chelsea's next five Premier League fixtures compared to some of their top four rivals.

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Chelsea next five fixtures

Brighton (H) - Saturday, September 28

A rivalry born from Brighton's anger and laughter in recent years at Chelsea poaching some of their key figures, this is possible the second toughest game of the season to date for Maresca. Coming behind only the first game meeting with City, Brighton have once more started strongly.

It promises to be another fluid, open game with Fabian Hurzeler impressing so far on the south coast. However, Chelsea are one of the few teams who don't even have an outfield player younger than the Seagull's boss.

There is a Carabao Cup third round tie with Barrow to navigate first. That comes up on Tuesday for Chelsea.

Nottingham Forest (H) - Sunday, October 6

After Brighton Chelsea are then in Conference League action, starting their group phase with a fourth home game in all competitions in a row. Gent visit Stamford Bridge on Thursday which leaves Nuno Espirito Santo's dynamic Forest with the Sunday slot to follow.

Headlined by an exciting attacking unit including former Blue Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forest shocked Liverpool last weekend and entered this weekend unbeaten.

Liverpool (A) - Sunday, October 20

Unfortunately, it is then into the second international break of the season. When Chelsea return they go straight into the dragon's den, heading to Anfield.

Perhaps the fortnight away will give Maresca a better chance to disrupt what has looked a well-oiled team under Arne Slot so far. They were bettered by Forest immediately after the last break and Chelsea will be hoping to catch them cold as well.

Newcastle (H) - Sunday, October 27

By this stage it will be well into the Thursday-Sunday grind, and Chelsea will be in Greece just three days before they welcome Newcastle. Eddie Howe's side have so far had better results than perhaps their overall performances deserve but there are still plenty of weapons to be wary of.

Manchester United (A) - Sunday, November 3

Should Chelsea progress, as expected, into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup they will have to deal with that before travelling to Old Trafford. It hasn't been a kind ground to the club in recent years and Maresca will plan on changing that.

United have been just as unpredictable as ever so far this season but often bring out an improved display for Chelsea. The Blues must be ready to combat that and punish their often wayward opponents.

Manchester United next five fixtures

Crystal Palace (A) - Saturday, September 21.

Tottenham (h) - Sunday, September 29.

Aston Villa (A) - Sunday, October 6.

Brentford (H) - Saturday, October 19.

West Ham (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Aston Villa next five fixtures

Ipswich Town (A) - Sunday, September 29.

Manchester United (H) - Sunday, October 6.

Fulham (A) - Saturday, October 19.

Bournemouth (H) - Saturday, October 26.

Tottenham (A) - Sunday, November 3.

Newcastle next five fixtures

Manchester City (H) - Saturday, September 28.

Everton (A) - Saturday, October 5.

Brighton (H) - Saturday, October 19.

Chelsea (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Tottenham next five fixtures

Manchester United (A) - Sunday, September 29.

Brighton (A) - Sunday, October 6.

West Ham (H) - Saturday, October 19.

Crystal Palace (A) - Sunday, October 27.

Aston Villa (H) - Sunday, November 3.