Chelsea fixtures: Alonso starts Blues reign with London derby on MNF

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea reign will begin with a west London derby at Fulham on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.

The Blues make the short trip to Craven Cottage on August 24 before hosting Brighton in Alonso's first home game on Saturday August 29.

Alonso will then take on his childhood friend Mikel Arteta for the first time as a manager in a competitive game when Chelsea travel to champions Arsenal on Saturday September 5.

Chelsea face an eye-catching end to October, hosting Tottenham and Manchester United in back-to-back games, as well as a challenging December, in which they will play Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa in successive matches before travelling to Frank Lampard's Coventry on Boxing Day.

Alonso will be hoping to guide Chelsea back into the Champions League after a mid-table finish last season, but his side will have to contend with a tricky run in, with Man City, Liverpool and Spurs all on the schedule during April and May.

Chelsea end the season as they started it, facing a west London rival as Brentford travel to Stamford Bridge.

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August 22/23/24: Premier League campaign starts