Premiership Fixtures Released

[FLiam]

The opening day Premiership fixtures have been confirmed and the undoubted pick of the bunch is Manchester United's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.

New coach Jose Mourinho will have been hoping for an easier introduction to Premiership life, but it will give him another chance to pit his wits against Sir Alex Ferguson - after they clashed in the UEFA Champions League last season.

Mourinho guided his Porto side to victory over United with a draw in Manchester, but he will now begin his tenure as Blues chief with the ultimate match.

Chelsea then face trips to Birmingham and Crystal Palace, before their second home clash with Southampton.

The task for United looks to get easier following their game in London as they are then scheduled to play Norwich and Everton at home before travelling to Blackburn.

Champions Arsenal open their account with a trip to Goodison park to face Everton, before squaring up to Middlesbrough in their opening home match, which is followed by a Blackburn visit to North London and an away trip to Norwich.

Another mouth-watering opening day encounter is Liverpool's trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham.

The game is seen as one of the biggest in The Premiership calendar and the fact that both Jacques Santini and Rafael Benitez will be in charge of their respective teams for the first time, adds even more spice to the match.

Following Liverpool, Santini then faces a daunting trip to the North East to face Newcastle - after which he faces West Brom at The Hawthorns and Birmingham at home.

After his trip to Spurs, Benitez will take charge of his first game at Anfield against Manchester City, before another home clash with Portsmouth.

The fans in the North East have been given a showpiece fixture to open their seasons as Newcastle visit Middlesbrough for a Tyne-Tees derby.

After his trip to Teesside Sir Bobby Robson's men the face Spurs before facing Norwich and Aston Villa.

After facing Newcastle and Arsenal in their opening two matches, Boro then face London duo Fulham and Crystal Palace.

There is a clash of the new-boys at Carrow Road on the opening day as Norwich entertain play-off winners Crystal Palace.

The Canaries then face a horrendous looking run of matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal.

Runners-up from Division One West Bromwich Albion face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in their first game before hosting Aston Villa and Tottenham.

After their clash with The Baggies, Blackburn face trips to Southampton and Arsenal - before a home clash with Manchester United.

Aston Villa - last season's surprise package in The Premiership - open their account against Southampton at Villa Park. They then travel to West Brom and Charlton, before another home game with Newcastle.

After their trip to the Midlands, Paul Sturrock's Saints entertain Bolton and Blackburn at St Mary's.

Birmingham City open their Premiership account at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.

Steve Bruce's men then host Chelsea and Manchester City, before facing a trip to Spurs.

Pompey will travel to Charlton and Liverpool after their opening day game, before returning to the South Coast to play Fulham.

Charlton Athletic travel to Bolton Wanderers to kick-off their campaign, before hosting Portsmouth and Aston Villa at The Valley.

Bolton travel to Fulham and Southampton after their opening match.

Manchester City begin the new season with a home match against Fulham, after which they face a trip to Anfield against Liverpool - followed by another away day at Birmingham.

After their game at The City of Manchester Stadium, Fulham remain in London to play Bolton and Middlesbrough.

Obviously, the stand out ones are Chelsea/Man Utd and Tottenham/Liverpool.

[Jook]

Wow, great fixtures for the opening day. Chelsea's the toughest first match we've had in years.

[TheArsenal]

Looks like we'll be setting that new record then....

[Summers]

I like the overall layout of Villa's fixtures. The opening day looks really nice. Chelsea/United will be a good way to kick off the Premiership.

[evertonfan]

Nice easy 3 points for the opening day, then.

Seriously though, we're going to be hammered, Rooney or no Rooney, Marcus Bent or no Marcus Bent.

[gunnar hendershow]

Living in the US, I'm going to have to find a way to see the Chelesea/Man U match.

[Johnny Drama]

we have got a hard opening month, we have to beat palace on opening day becuase then we have Man Utd, Arsenal and Newcastle. Thats pretty bad start!

[Guest Blads]

Manure are gonna be bottom after week 1 then

Go get 'em Jose!