The Premier League is set to return this weekend, with reigning champions Manchester City aiming to maintain their dominance, while Ipswich Town makes its long-awaited return to the top flight.
The season kicks off on 12;30 am IST, Saturday with Manchester United hosting Fulham. Manchester City facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The weekend’s standout fixtures include Ipswich welcoming Liverpool to Portman Road, their home.
As the new season begins, Arsenal is hopeful of finally overcoming Manchester City in the title race, and Manchester United is determined to bounce back after a disappointing campaign last season.
Fans can expect several changes this season, including adjustments to the handball rule, VAR protocols, and injury time calculations.
What’s New? VAR, Handball, and More
This season, VAR will only intervene in clear and obvious errors, reducing the number of stoppages for marginal decisions. The Premier League will also offer more transparency, with near-live explanations of VAR decisions on social media and stadium screens.
The amount of stoppage time will be reduced, particularly during goal celebrations. Additionally, attacking players will face stricter penalties for blocking opponents during set-pieces, and the handball rule will be slightly relaxed to account for natural movements.
Penalties will see minor changes, with the ball needing to be directly on or over the center of the spot. Encroachment into the penalty box will only be penalized if it affects the outcome of the penalty.
A new Nike Flight ball with advanced technology for truer flight will be used, and five substitutes can now warm up simultaneously on the touchline.
New Faces on the Touchline and the Pitch
A quarter of Premier League managers will be leading a top-flight match for the first time this weekend, including Arne Slot at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, and Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town. Several new players have also joined the league, with Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal all making significant signings.
Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League after 22 years has been one of the biggest stories of the summer. The club, under the guidance of promising manager Kieran McKenna, has made several key signings, including Omari Hutchinson and Manchester City’s Liam Delap.
As the new season kicks off, fans are eager to see how these changes will shape the competition and which teams will emerge as the leading title contenders.
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