The action gets under way on Sky Sports on Friday 9 August as title contenders Liverpool take on new boys Norwich City before Spurs face play-off winners Aston Villa the following day. The first Super Sunday of the season starts with Newcastle hosting Arsenal, then it’s off to Old Trafford for something very special indeed, as Manchester United go head to head with Chelsea. And that’s just the opening weekend.

It’s all set up to be a campaign full of drama from start to finish, and with Sky Sports you can get right to the heart of the action. But before the footy fuse is lit, allow us to bring you up to speed with ten things you need to know about the new season…

1. VAR is here

Love it or hate it, the video assistant referee will be used in the Premier League for the first time this season. Designed to eradicate clear and obvious errors, it’s generated more headlines than Paul Pogba’s agent since it was introduced at the 2018 World Cup. Will it be a success? Watch this space…

2. Saturday night’s alright for footy

For the first time ever, Sky Sports will be showing eight live Premier League matches on Saturday nights throughout the season. No offence Casualty, but we’d rather see Mo Salah smash one in from 30 yards.

3. Transfer records have been broken

That sound you hear is Jim White rupturing his vocal cords in excitement. Why? Because the cash has most definitely been splashed in the transfer market this summer. Last month, Tottenham paid a record £55 million to Lyon for French international midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, City broke their own transfer record to sign Atlético Madrid midfielder Rodri for £62.8 million, and West Ham spent £45 million on striker Sébastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt.

4. Frank is in charge of Chelsea

Having completed just one full season as a manager, eyebrows were raised when Chelsea legend Frank Lampard was named as the club’s new boss at the start of July. Despite 13 glorious years as a player with the Blues, it remains to be seen whether their all-time record goalscorer can handle the pressure of the Stamford Bridge dugout. And it’s not as if Roman Abramovich is known for his patience.

5. New teams, new challenges

There’s something very 1992 about seeing Aston Villa, Norwich City and Sheffield United back in the Premier League following their respective spells in the Championship. Can these old faces make an instant impact, or will they be fighting for their lives come May?

6. Arsenal’s home kit is a winner

The Gunners have turned back the clock and gone retro with their new home strip, evoking memories of the George Graham years at Highbury. Nick Hornby will be pleased. If titles were decided on style alone, Arsenal would be champions.

7. A legend is saying goodbye

Manchester City magician David Silva confirmed earlier this summer that this would be his last season with the champions. It’s been ten years of dazzling entertainment from the Spaniard, who has hinted he won’t sign for another Premier League club. Our advice is that you savour every physics-bending, defence-splitting pass while you can. Adiós David!

8. The (old) boys are back in town

Frank Lampard isn’t the only man to be returning to a former club ahead of the new season. Ex-Arsenal midfielder Edu is the Gunners’ new technical director, Jay Rodriguez has rejoined Burnley and Sheffield United legend Phil Jagielka is back at Bramall Lane after leaving Everton. Don’t these reunions give you all the feels?

9. City are going for the three-peat

Only Manchester United have won the title three consecutive times since the Premier League was formed in 1992. Not content with making their neighbours’ lives a misery these past few years, the Blues can make it three on the trot if they reclaim the crown this term. Liverpool might have something to say about that, though…

10. You can watch it on the Sky Sports app

Not only will Sky Sports be showing 128 Premier League matches exclusively live this season, you can also follow all of the drama on the go with the Sky Sports app! What better way to spend a family gathering than by standing in a corner watching the game on your smartphone or device? Find out more about downloading the app at the bottom of the page.

Premier League opening weekend fixtures on Sky Sports

Liverpool v Norwich City
Friday 9 August, 7pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Saturday 10 August, 5pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Newcastle United v Arsenal
Sunday 11 August, 1pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Manchester United v Chelsea
Sunday 11 August, 4pm, Sky Sports Premier League/HD (CH 512/502)

Want to find all your team’s fixtures?

Head to our hand fixtures generator by clicking on the banner below.

Find out what’s on Sky Sports this week

Keep up to speed with the latest games, players, athletes and action with our Sky Sports schedule. Collecting together all the latest sports coverage from across the channels, there’s something for every fan to celebrate on our homepage!

Watch on the go

Virgin TV customers who subscribe to Sky Sports can watch on the go with the Sky Sports app. Not only will you be able to take your Sky packages with you, but you get in-depth sports coverage, as well as exclusive videos and interviews. On iPad and Android tablets you can also access Sky Sports’ cutting-edge second-screen functions. Download from the Apple app store for iPad or iPhone, or from Google Play.

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