Who are the ‘Big Six’ against in 2025/26’s early fixtures?
Let’s see which of the ‘Big Six’ teams have particular Fantasy Premier League (FPL) appeal, now that the 2025/26 fixtures have been released.
It’s a label that rightly causes friction these days. Call them the ‘Big Six’, ‘Elite Six’ or ‘Richest Six’ but – based on the last few seasons – we certainly can’t call them England’s best six.
Regardless, there are huge worldwide followings of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United and Tottenham. Using Fantasy Football Scout’s Fixture Ticker, we can analyse each club up until Gameweek 6.
The Season Ticker gives a dark blue colour to ‘easier’ fixtures and a dark red to ‘tougher’ ones, with various shades in between. By clicking ‘Difficulty’, all teams are then ranked for the selected period of time.
GOOD ‘BIG SIX’ FIXTURES
Chelsea are therefore fifth for the initial half-dozen Gameweeks – better than these other giants. Even their run is tricky, mind. Beginning at home to FA Cup holders Crystal Palace, the Blues lost to Fulham last Christmas. Then again, it’s another Gameweek 6 where they host Brighton – a good omen for Cole Palmer?
Meanwhile, Tottenham had an astonishing 2024/25 where they both qualified for the Champions League and finished 17th. No team has ever survived having lost that often in a 38-game Premier League campaign.
A new era under Thomas Frank starts at home to Burnley. The subsequent trip to Man City feels intimidating, but let’s not forget their stunning 4-0 victory in last season’s corresponding fixture.
In fact, when looking deeper into each team’s 2024/25 meetings, it doesn’t look great for Pep Guardiola’s side. They lost four of the first five equivalent matches, including another four-goal defeat to a team from north London.
However, Man City ended the campaign in strong form and have made some superb early summer purchases.
When ranking the ticker by ‘Relativity’, which also considers that own team’s quality, rather than solely the opponents, Liverpool are in first place. The champions may have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold, but arriving at Anfield are Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Such a large spend shows their determination to successfully retain this crown. Facing Bournemouth (h), Burnley (a) and Everton (h) by Gameweek 5 has plenty of FPL potential.
BAD ‘BIG SIX’ FIXTURES
On the other hand, two of the Fixture Ticker’s bottom three are Arsenal and Man United. Facing each other at Old Trafford in Gameweek 1 doesn’t help.
Unimpressive last time and with squad uncertainty lingering, it’s easy to stay away from Ruben Amorim’s lot. But it’s trickier to judge the Gunners. Their defence has been the league’s best for two successive seasons, making it a decision of quality versus difficulty.
