Manchester City took the Premier League title race down to the final week of the season in 2025/26 but they want to go one better in the new campaign.

Manchester City will have a new manager at the helm but their objective remains the same: to win the Premier League title. To do that, City will have a keen focus on the games against their main rivals. It goes without saying that those matches could make or break their title tilt.

City’s first test of their title credentials will come on just the fourth matchday when the Blues travel to fierce rivals Manchester United on September 12. Pep Guardiola’s men struggled at Old Trafford in January, losing 2-0 on what was Michael Carrick’s first game as interim boss.

While Guardiola may have left, Carrick will be in the dugout again in September having been appointed the Reds’ permanent head coach. Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola in the hot seat, will provide City’s next title test on October 10 at Anfield before their first game against reigning Premier League champions Arsenal takes place on November 28 at the Emirates Stadium.

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City won’t play a potential title rival at home until December 12 when they host Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea. This quirk of the fixture list could play both for and against the Blues with City knowing those big games during the run-in will mostly be played at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues’ last game against a member of the ‘Big Six’ will be on May 8 when they host Liverpool. Take a look at the big fixtures against City’s possible title rivals below:

• Manchester United (A) – September 12
• Liverpool (A) – October 10
• Arsenal (A) – November 28
• Chelsea (H) – December 12
• Tottenham Hotspur (H) – January 2
• Arsenal (H) – January 30
• Tottenham Hotspur (A) – February 10
• Manchester United (H) – March 20
• Chelsea (A) – April 24
• Liverpool (H) – May 8

Thousands of Man City fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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The Location, Location, Location host has welcomed proposals that ministers say could cut around four weeks from the home-buying process by forcing sellers to reveal key information upfront and speeding up transactions through digital technology.

Spencer said the reforms tackle many of the frustrations buyers and sellers have faced for years.

“I welcome these proposals – they address many of the issues consumers have been grappling with for years, from a lack of upfront information to unnecessary delays and last-minute surprises,” he said.

The changes are designed to modernise a system that currently leaves many movers facing months of uncertainty.

According to property portal Rightmove, the average home sale takes around 170 days to complete, while more than one in five transactions falls through before completion.

Under the proposals, sellers and estate agents would have to provide detailed “sales packs” when a property is first listed, setting out information such as the home’s condition, leasehold charges and chain status.

The Government believes giving buyers access to crucial information earlier could reduce the number of deals collapsing after surveys, searches and legal work have already been carried out.

Paper-heavy processes could also be replaced by digital property logbooks, electronic signatures, digital identity checks and AI-assisted conveyancing tools.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the current system too often leaves families “in limbo”.

“We’re turning the page,” he said. “Our reforms will bring this outdated process into the modern age, saving people time and money, and giving them the certainty they deserve.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed described the current process as a “drawn-out nightmare of delays, hidden costs and failed deals”.

He said the reforms would make transactions “faster, fairer and more secure” while giving buyers and sellers greater certainty.

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Industry leaders have also backed the plans.

Zoopla chief executive Paul Whitehead said homeowners “deserve better than a home-buying process that takes months, falls through too often, and leaves everyone poorer for it”.

The Government intends to roll out the reforms gradually over the rest of this Parliament, with legislation covering sales packs, binding agreements and digital systems expected before the next election.

For first-time buyers especially, supporters believe the changes could mean fewer nasty surprises, less stress and a much faster route to home ownership.

Oliver Johnson says he spent most of the inheritance left by his late father

A man says he blew his dad’s inheritance – and has spoken about the impact of his father’s dying wish to him. Oliver Johnson’s problems first began when he was just 15. But they spiralled out of control and almost destroyed his life.

But he thanks his dad for being a perfect role model. And remembers the words he said that helped him turn his life around.

The 32 year old says by the time he was 18 he was using cocaine and drinking daily, spending an average of £500 per week on his addiction – and sometimes ‘thousands’. Oliver even admits to blowing the majority of the £15,000 inheritance he got from his dad Paul Johnson on drugs – an amount he admits he would ‘kill to have’ now.

The tip worker says he would ‘stay awake for days on end’ sniffing the drug, which resulted in him experiencing drug-induced psychosis. After struggling with the addiction that ‘ruined his life’ for over a decade, Oliver decided to ditch drugs and alcohol for good two months before the birth of his daughter in August 2024.

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He says his dad’s dying wish before he died of cancer had been for him to ‘get sober and be happy’ and he is proud now to be able to be a good role model for his own daughter like his father was for him. The dad of two is now urging other people who struggle with addiction to ‘reach out and get help’. Oliver, from Todmorden, West Yorkshire, said: “I started taking cocaine when I was still in my teens, it wasn’t really a problem until about 18.

“I was using it socially – I didn’t think it was a problem at the time. In 2018 it sort of just spiralled. I was drinking every day and sniffing cocaine – [I was spending] stupid amounts, £400 or £500 a week, some weeks even thousands.”

Oliver says he was constantly in debt and even admits to blowing his dad’s £15,000 inheritance on drugs. Oliver said: “It was costing me £80 per day and I think the most I owed one week was about £1,300.

“I was in debt – it was very rare I wasn’t in debt. I got a bit of inheritance off my dad but a lot of it went on substances and alcohol. I kick myself now because I got quite a lot of it – it was £15,000. Now I would kill for that type of money.”

Oliver says his addiction left him experiencing drug-induced psychosis and even saw him using crack cocaine, an even more dangerous and highly addiction version of the drug. Oliver said: “I used to have drug-induced psychosis – I would constantly hear things.

“I could be with my closest friends and I would hear voices, I thought people were inside my house. I was that paranoid I used to think there were people in the loft and I would go checking in there and things like that. I always felt like there were people coming for me and it was nuts.”

Sadly, Oliver’s dad Paul, 67, was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. Oliver revealed that his father’s dream had been for his son to ‘get sober and be happy’.

Oliver said: “In 2019 my dad got diagnosed with cancer and sadly he passed away in January 2020. My dad’s dream was for me to get sober and be happy. He was the perfect role model. It was because of my own self-inflicted trauma [that I turned to drugs].”

‘It’s the best thing I’ve ever done’

In August 2024, Oliver decided to live a cocaine and alcohol-free life ahead of the birth of his daughter. He says he is now able to do all of the things he missed out on in his 20s, including going abroad for the first time last year.

Oliver said: “Two months before my daughter was born I got sober and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m a better partner – my daughter means the world to me and I’m so grateful to my partner for sticking by me and giving me the chance.

“Being a present father means more than anything to me. I had an amazing dad myself and he never turned his back on me – I just want to be able to pass down what he passed down to me.

“Now I’m working a stable job, I have an income and I’m able to save money. I went abroad last year for the first time in my life – I’d never been abroad. I’m ticking all those things off on my list now and it’s crazy.

“I missed out on a hell of a lot because of my cocaine use. I didn’t really have a 20s – it ruined my 20s, it ruined all of my life really for a very long time. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for my partner and daughter finally made me see life for what it really is. I’d be lost without them both.”

Oliver is now using his social media accounts to raise awareness and is encouraging other people struggling with addiction to seek support. Oliver said: “Just be honest – be as honest as you can be. Don’t be scared to reach out and get help.

“A problem shared is a problem halved. For many many years I thought hiding away and isolating myself was the answer but it wasn’t.”

Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season as Man United boss and he could make a dream start to the 2026/27 campaign.

Manchester United have been handed the ‘easiest’ start to the 2026/27 Premier League season with the fixtures computer lining them up against two newly-promoted teams in their first two games.

Michael Carrick’s side could be off to a flier as they face Hull City away in their first game followed by a tie against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.

United’s third league match is a more challenging trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton, but overall they have by far the easiest opening three fixtures of any team, based on average finishing positions last season.

Fellow Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City will also be able to ease themselves into the season with fixtures which are, on paper at least, winnable games.

After United, it is Liverpool who have the ‘second-easiest’ start to the season, based on last season’s standings. Their opening games are Newcastle United (A), Nottingham Forest (H) and Ipswich Town (A).

Manchester City are ranked as having the ‘third-easiest’ start as they face Bournemouth at home followed by Crystal Palace away and then another promoted side, Coventry City, at the Etihad.

However, the Manchester clubs will then face a stern test on the fourth match day as they play each other in the first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 12th September.

Newly-promoted Ipswich Town have the toughest start to the season. The fixtures computer has set up a particularly challenging start to the campaign for the Tractor Boys, who will be embarking on their seventh season in the top division in August.

Ipswich kick off with a home game against Sunderland, followed by the trip to Old Trafford to face United and then it’s back to Portman Road at the start of September to host Liverpool.

All of their first three opponents qualified for European competition by finishing in the top seven places in the Premier League last season.

Chelsea have the ‘second-hardest’ start to the season, with their first three games against Fulham (A), Brighton (H), and Arsenal (A). They are followed by Everton who face Crystal Palace (H), Bournemouth (A) and Manchester United (H).

Here are the ‘easiest’ and ‘toughest’ starts to the season based on the average finishing position of the first 3 opponents in 2025/26:

Manchester United: 19.7

Liverpool: 16.7

Manchester City: 14

Sunderland: 14

Brentford: 12.7

Tottenham Hotspur: 12.3

Nottingham Forest: 12

Arsenal: 11.7

Aston Villa: 11

Leeds United: 11

Fulham: 10.7

Brighton and Hove Albion: 9.3

Hull City: 9.3

Newcastle United: 9.3

Bournemouth: 9

Coventry City: 9

Crystal Palace: 8.7

Everton: 8

Chelsea: 6.7

Ipswich Town: 5

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

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Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.