Yahoo News Leicester City key fixture dates with Enzo Maresca Chelsea reunion and Nottingham Forest derby
Leicester City have to wait until late November to face off with their old boss Enzo Maresca.
Mads Hermansen and Ricardo Pereira had said they hoped to take on City’s Championship-winning manager and his new Chelsea side in the opening game of the season. However, he won’t be back at the King Power Stadium until November 23, for the 12th match of the campaign.
That’s one of several fixtures fans will be keenly awaiting when the new Premier League season kicks off. We’ve picked out the key matches below.
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First fixture
It’s a tantalising first game as City kick off their season in the Monday night slot, hosting James Maddison and Tottenham on August 19. Expect boos.
Renewing old acquaintances
And August is a month for seeing old friends. For City’s first away game, they will meet up with Timothy Castagne for the first time since he left as they head to Fulham’s Craven Cottage on August 24.
The following week on August 31, for their third fixture and their second at home, Youri Tielemans brings Champions League qualifiers Aston Villa back to the King Power Stadium. However, it won’t be until December 14 that City face off against Harvey Barnes for the first time since his exit, as that’s when they’ll be making the long trip to Newcastle.
Derby day
City will have the opportunity to prove their East Midlands superiority on October 26 when they take on neighbours Nottingham Forest. The return fixture at the City Ground could be a huge one in the relegation battle. It’s City’s penultimate away game on May 10.
Maresca reunion
As mentioned, Maresca takes his place in the away dugout at the King Power Stadium on November 23. It would have to go seriously wrong in the 11 games before that for the Italian to already be out the door at Chelsea. He should still be in charge too when City head to Stamford Bridge on March 8.
Boxing Day
Everybody wants to know who the Boxing Day fixture is against and, not for the first time, they take on Liverpool. It seems to be a Christmas tradition that City face the Reds. This time, the meeting is at Anfield.
Final fixture
City end their campaign with one of their longest treks of the season, but not an unreasonable opponent if they need points to achieve their targets. They take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on May 25.
