BBC · Aug 11, 2025
How important is a fast start to the season?
Image caption, Arne Slot's Liverpool were top of the table at the end of September last season and went on to win the titleThe Premier League starts on Friday, with every team dreaming of getting a few early wins under their belt.
Champions Liverpool get the campaign under way at home to Bournemouth, with everyone else involved in the following three days.
How important is a quick start to the season in the first few games? And do any teams have a particularly difficult or relatively easy start?
BBC Sport has a look.
How much can we read into a quick start?
Last season the top eight in the Premier League after five games ended up finishing as the top eight (albeit not all in the same positions).