- Blockbuster matches in Australian prime time a key feature of opening rounds.
- Manchester City hunting record-breaking fifth consecutive title, while Arsenal continue to pose a genuine threat.
- Australias Ange Postecoglou seeking consistency for second year in charge at Tottenham in what is considered a make or break year.
- Five clubs start the new season with different managers to the ones they ended the previous campaign with.
- All 380 matches will be live and on demand on Optus Sport with expert analysis from Premier League legends such as Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges and many more.
The 2024-25 Premier League explodes into life this Saturday, 17 August (AEST), with Aussies treated to a breakfast bonanza of live football to kick off the new season.
With the last Premier League season decided on the final day, this season shapes up to again go down to the wire with several teams fancying their chances of prizing the title out of Manchester Citys clutches.
Manchester United will start the season at Old Trafford against Fulham at 5am (AEST) on Saturday 17 August, and will be keen to put the weekends Community Shield penalty shoot-out loss (7-6) to Manchester City behind them.
The Red Devils suffered their worst-ever Premier League season last term but will be looking to channel the form that saw them claim the Emirates FA Cup back in May.
Then Liverpool and new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp following his highly successful nine-year era with the Reds, will fancy their chances against newly-promoted Ipswich Town in the first of six 9:30pm (AEST) Saturday night games to get the season underway. Ipswich Town, featuring Socceroo Cam Burgess and former Australia international Massimo Luongo, will be at home and looking to start their time back in the Premier League by shocking one of the title favourites.
Wherever you look there is a thrilling storyline and while Australias most-capped Socceroo and Premier League icon Mark Schwarzer is tipping another Manchester City title, he conceded that absolutely anything could happen.
Speaking on the Optus Sport Football Podcast, Schwarzer said: There are three new teams, six new managers.
I've got Manchester City winning it. But theres a big question. Kevin De Bruyne, I think he's obviously going to play a part, but I don't think he's a happy bunny when he's not playing all the time. And I don't think he's at that level anymore. Then is it Pep Guardiolas last dance? Because it's the last year of his contract.
My concern with Arsenal is a lack of transfer activity. Their big issue is scoring goals consistently, certainly having someone up there and they don't have that yet. But obviously, there's still time to go until the transfer window closes.
I hope Chelsea are able to make the top four, but I don't have them down as a top four. I've actually got Liverpool and Spurs making up the remaining two places in the top four.
This is Anges make or break season. If he doesn't start well, because there were those moans last season, if they do get exposed, there's going to be an enormous amount of pressure on him. But who knows, Ipswich may be able to do something unthinkable!
Head of Optus Sport, Howard Rees, said Optus Sport is the only place to experience every match of the Premier League.
There are so many tantalising questions as we head into the 2024-25 season can Manchester City do what no team has done before and claim a record-breaking fifth-consecutive Premier League title? Can Arsenal deliver on their potential by going one better than last year? Can Australias Ange Postecoglou keep Spurs firing for the whole season? he said.
We cant wait to bring all of the action, as well as plenty of analysis, highlights and insights from our team of experts throughout the season.
Title contenders Arsenal will get their campaign underway against the Wolverhampton Wanderers at midnight on Sunday, 18 August (AEST), with their chance to renew rivalries with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City coming on Matchday 5 in late September.
Everton will also host Brighton at midnight on Sunday 18 August, while Newcastle United take on Southampton and Nottingham Forest come up against Bournemouth in the same timeslot. Forest will be looking for a better start to the 2024-25 season than last year which saw them finish just one place above the relegation zone.
West Ham United and Aston Villa then meet at 2:30am on Sunday morning (AEST), before Brentford host Crystal Palace at 11pm Sunday night (AEST).
It will be a blockbuster 1:30am morning game on Monday 19 August (AEST) between Chelsea and Manchester City, before Leicester and Ange Postecoglous Tottenham Hotspur cap off the opening round of fixtures at 5am on Tuesday, 20 August (AEST). Postecoglou and his players have plenty to prove after a disappointing end to the season after showing so much promise early last year.
Optus Sport subscribers can stream matches live with replays, mini matches and extended highlights.
