Liverpool to host Arsenal on opening weekend, Newcastle at Man Utd, Blackpool host Wigan
By Nick Harris
17 June 2010
Blackpool, newcomers to the Premier League for 2010-11, will begin their first season in the division with a home game against Wigan Athletic on 14 August. The Lancashire Oranjie will then play their next match away at Arsenal.
Blackpool's final game in the Premier League (next season, perhaps for a while) will be at Old Trafford on Sunday 22 May. Blackpool's website coverage of the fixture list is here.
In other fixtures announced today with the release of the domestic list for next season, the "big four" game of the opening weekend of 2010-11 will feature Liverpool at home to Arsenal. The Liverpool website describes the game as "mouth watering". The Arsenal website is somewhat less descriptive.
Newcastle United's return to the Premier League will start with a tough trip to Manchester United. The Newcastle website describes the opener as a "tough trip."
Over at Manchester United's website, the fixtures are being greeted with cautious optimism. "If you believe in omens then it's good news - the Reds have started campaigns twice against the Magpies in the Premier League era, in 2000/01 (won 2-0), and 2008/09 (1-1), and on both occasions have gone on to win the title.
"There are the usual tricky patches, of course, with back-to-back clashes with Arsenal and Chelsea (twice) in December and at the end of April and start of May."
Chelsea will begin the defence of their title at home to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion, and point out on their website that the game provides an early reunion with Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo and his former club.
Tottenham and Manchester City will renew their "chase for fourth" rivalry by facing each other on the opening weekend at White Hart Lane.
The opening weekend's full programme in the Premier League on the weekend 14-15 August: Aston Villa v West Ham; Blackburn v Everton; Blackpool v Wigan; Bolton v Fulham; Chelsea v West Brom; Liverpool v Arsenal; Man Utd v Newcastle; Sunderland v Birmingham; Tottenham v Man City; Wolverhampton v Stoke.
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Right, enough domestic football. Back to the World Cup
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