Kevin Keegan to provide Manchester United’s first test
June 16th, 2008 (278 views)The fixture list for next season has pitched Manchester United against Newcastle United at Old Trafford and Chelsea against Portsmouth on the opening weekend of the season.
The latter fixture means Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first match as the new manager against Stamford Bridge will be against Portsmouth, the FA Cup holders managed by Harry Redknapp.
Chelsea, who were pipped to the title by Manchester United and lost to them in the Champions League final, host their rivals on September 20 and visit Old Trafford on January 10.
Chelsea face Liverpool at home on October 25 and Arsenal at home on November 29. The Stamford Bridge club visit Liverpool on January 31, Arsenal on May 9 and are away to Sunderland on the final day of the season.
United begin their title defence at home to Newcastle United. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side close the campaign on May 24 with a trip to Hull, the Coca-Cola Championship play-off winners.
United face Liverpool and Chelsea away on successive weekends, September 13 and 20 respectively, before visiting Arsenal on November 8. They host Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 14 and Arsenal on May 16, the penultimate weekend of the season.
Of the top sides, Arsenal look to have the easier opening and closing day fixtures, with two home games against promoted sides, West Bromwich Albion on August 16 and Stoke City on May 24.
Arsenal play at home against Liverpool on December 20 and away to them on April 18. Liverpool begin their campaign away to Sunderland and face a final-day home game against Tottenham Hotspur.
West Brom, the Championship winners, face a tough start at Arsenal and are away to Blackburn on the final day of the season.
Albion fans will be looking forward to trips to Manchester United on October 18, Liverpool on November 8 and Chelsea on Boxing Day. They are at home to Chelsea on November 15, while Manchester United visit The Hawthorns on January 27, Arsenal on March 3 and Liverpool on May 16.
Stoke begin their season with an away fixture against Bolton Wanderers while Hull fans can look forward to a home match against Fulham on the same weekend.
Opening Premier League fixtures (Saturday, August 16):
Arsenal v West Brom
Aston Villa v Man City
Bolton v Stoke
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Everton v Blackburn
Hull v Fulham
Man Utd v Newcastle
Middlesbrough v Tottenham
Sunderland v Liverpool
West Ham v Wigan
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