Our first game

[Goring-by-Seagull]

First game of the season against Chelsea (the champions always kick off the season or am I just imagining that?).
12.30 kick off, live on Sky.
We score first so we can sing "we're top of the league" etc etc and ends in a 1-1 draw. Not too optimistic is it?

 

[indy3050]

I think Huddersfield's story, could even usurp ours. 43 years outside the top flight, compared to our 'mere' 34.

Maybe, but 20 years ago Huddersfield were not 92nd of 92 and 90 mins from oblivion.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Palace at home get it over with

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

 

[whitelion]

I think Huddersfield's story, could even usurp ours. 43 years outside the top flight, compared to our 'mere' 34.

45 years give or take.

 

[trueblue]

Don't care as long as we have an opera singer [emoji849]

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Although I've not seen a definite "yes", I believe the rumour is that all newly promoted teams get their first game at home, so if true, it won't be either of them

Watford got Everton away.

 

[The Birdman]

Normal build up and a great big celebration once we have won our first home game.t

 

[OzMike]

Chelsea away probably.

 

[fozzie's headband]

Watford got Everton away.

I believe it only applies to clubs that are playing in the Premier league for the first time. For Watford this wasn't the case as it obviously won't be for Newcastle next season.

 

[Estonian Seagull]

My guess is Spurs away at Wembley.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Away at Burnley, first home game Watford, followed by Swansea, then Newcastle, Huddersfield and Southampton. We'll then have a run of City, United, Chelsea, & Liverpool ... with those 30 points in the bag we can then relax and enjoy the rest of the season topping the EPL at Christmas and winning it by a clear 10 points.

OK, we survive by a point on the last game of the season, it's good enough!

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Who will our Boxing Day derby be against - Palarse are obvious candidates, but Stains and B'muff may be in the running too?

Will we be home or away - it'll be the 50th anniversary for me from my first time at the Goldstone, Boxing Day 1967 vs Gillingham ....

 

[brakespear]

Everton away on the Saturday.

 

[perseus]

This is what happened last season:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/beta/football/premier-league/scores-fixtures/2016-08

I would not sneeze at Watford at home on the Saturday.

Second game away (if we start with a home one) and one on the following Friday night on TV which might be best against a northern big club. Anfield is our best ground or St. James Park.

Then if we get someone like Leicester (best) WBA/Stoke/Everton/Burnley/Swansea we could get two Saturday games to start. .

I bet our last game of the season is away and it could be at Wembley.

Spurs and Leicester weren't featured on TV much at first.

 

[1234andcounting]

I reckon both Brighton and Huddersfield will be televised over the first weekend and both with attractive opposition, double header on Sunday.

Best indication would be to look at what Bournemouth got. Anyone know?

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

I believe it only applies to clubs that are playing in the Premier league for the first time. For Watford this wasn't the case as it obviously won't be for Newcastle next season.

Blackpool got Wigan away.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

I reckon both Brighton and Huddersfield will be televised over the first weekend and both with attractive opposition, double header on Sunday.

Best indication would be to look at what Bournemouth got. Anyone know?

Villa at home. Same as Portsmouth. Shame they're no longer available.

 

[Thimble Keegan]

The past two years we've had Nottingham Forest.

Not true, 2 years ago our first game was Nottingham Forest but last season it was Derby away...Forest was our second (and first home) game.

First game of the season against Chelsea (the champions always kick off the season or am I just imagining that?).

You are imaging it. But the champions first game is always shown on TV so if Chelsea is our opening fixture we could well find ourselves playing on the Sunday.

I think the natural response to the question posed in the opening post is to want to play the weakest team possible at home in a bid to get some early points. However, if we are handed a kind first game and then lose it then this place will do into full doom & gloom overdrive...Everyone will be throwing in the towel before the first international break.

Albion & England forever.

Thimble Keegan
Rustington BHA

 

[1234andcounting]

Villa at home. Same as Portsmouth. Shame they're no longer available.

Oh well, so much for my theory. Last time Villa would have been an attractive first fixture Maggie Thatcher was still PM.

 

[fozzie's headband]

Blackpool got Wigan away.

It was to be Blackpool at home to Wigan originally but it was agreed the fixture could be reversed as ground improvements hadn't been completed at Bloomfield Road. Therefore Blackpool started with two away games.

We will 100% start with a home fixture as will Huddersfield.