10 Premier League games to shape the season: Early trip to Old Trafford will be a major test for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Arsenal could lay down a marker against Man City - but must end Anfield hoodoo in the run-in

The fixtures for the 2024-25 season have been released, and there are a number of games that immediately jump off the page.

Manchester City will be aiming to win their fifth-straight title, but they have not had things all their own way in recent years, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool giving them a run for their money.

Manchester United and Chelsea will also be looking to get back into the mix after disappointing domestic campaigns last term, while all eyes will be on Aston Villa as they look to prove that finishing fourth in 2023-24 was no fluke.

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham will hope to kick on after fizzling out last term, and Newcastle will want to bounce back following their failure to qualify for Europe.

Mail Sport has taken a look at 10 games set to define the 2024-25 season. 

1. Chelsea vs Man City: Stamford Bridge, August 17

Enzo Maresca's first game as Chelsea boss will be against City, a club he knows very well after working for them as Pep Guardiola's assistant.

Maresca has never managed in the Premier League before and doubts have been raised over whether the jump from coaching Leicester to Championship glory to the Stamford Bridge dugout will be too big for him.

But if he can stun City on the opening day, that will go some way to getting the fans on-board immediately. 

2. Ipswich vs Liverpool: Portman Road, August 17

Ipswich will return to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and they have been handed a tricky opening game against Liverpool.

Portman Road will be bouncing after a prolonged absence from the top flight, and if Kieran McKenna's team can pull off a shock it could set them up for a season of upsetting the odds.

Equally, if they are well beaten, it may be a sign of things to come for the Tractor Boys. 

3. Man United vs Liverpool: Old Trafford, August 31

A new era awaits at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's departure, and Arne Slot's men will travel to Old Trafford at the end of August.

Following in Klopp's footsteps is an unenviable task, but the German's record at the Theatre of Dreams was a modest one.

If Slot can get one over the Red Devils in the opening weeks of the season, he will have the Reds believing that they have the right man at the helm and are on track for a strong season. 

4. Man City vs Arsenal: Etihad Stadium, September 21

Arsenal received some criticism after their performance at the Etihad in March as they showed little attacking ambition in a 0-0 draw. 

They eventually missed out on the title by two points to City, and some feel they should have taken the game to the champions more during last season's final run-in.

This time, they travel to City early in the season, and Mikel Arteta may view this as an opportunity to lay down a marker to show his team are ready to finally overhaul Guardiola's side. 

5. Tottenham vs Chelsea: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, December 7

This was arguably the craziest game of the season last term. 

Spurs came flying out the blocks and took an early lead, but then conceded a penalty and had Cristian Romero sent off for an ugly lunge.

The Blues drew level, and then Tottenham were reduced to nine men when Destiny Udogie was given his marching orders. Postecoglou proceeded to demand his team played with a high line that made for sensational viewing, but it ultimately failed to work as Chelsea scored three late goals to win 4-1.

If we get even half the drama this time around, it will be another cracker. 

6. Arsenal vs Tottenham: Emirates Stadium, January 14

The north London derby has to be on the list. It has rarely failed to produce in recent years, and that was certainly the case last season.

Spurs grabbed an impressive 2-2 draw at the Emirates, before Arsenal held on for a 3-2 victory later in the campaign.

Arsenal pulled away from their rivals in the final weeks of last season, eventually finishing 23 points above Spurs. This will be a chance for Postecoglou's side to prove they are ready to close the gap. 

7. Tottenham vs Man City: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, February 25

City finally ended their rotten run at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the penultimate day of last season, but they had to ride their luck. Arsenal fans will still be cursing that late Son Heung-min miss that could have handed them the title.

Guardiola's side will return to the north London club in February, and this comes at the end of a brutal run of fixtures for the defending champions.

In the second month of 2025, City face Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Spurs. If they can come through February well and finish strongly at Tottenham, they will likely be in pole position to win the league again. 

8. Newcastle vs Man United: St James' Park, April 12

The rivalry is building between these two clubs, with Newcastle trying to prove they are the best 'United'.

The Red Devils beat them in last year's Carabao Cup final, but Newcastle have since got the better of them twice at St James' Park. They also pipped United to seventh last month, but then had their European place snatched off them when Ten Hag's side shocked City in the FA Cup final.

These two clubs could be neck-and-neck again next season, and this fixture with just over a month of the campaign remaining may prove pivotal. 

9. Liverpool vs Arsenal: Anfield, May 10

The Gunners have not won at Anfield since September 2012, and they may need to end their hoodoo if they are to be crowned champions.

Their penultimate away game of the season is against Liverpool, and they will expect to still be involved in the title race at this stage.

They have secured draws on their last two visits to Anfield, but going one step further and finally winning could make the difference in the final league standings. 

10. Everton vs Southampton: Goodison Park, May 18

This is set to be Everton's final ever game at Goodison Park ahead of their proposed move to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Toffees have played their home games at Goodison since 1892, and this promises to be an emotional occasion.

It may also having something riding on it, as Everton have been involved in relegation battles in recent seasons, while Southampton are back in the Premier League after going down in 2023.