The eagerly-awaited fixtures for the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season have now been released.
Champions Manchester United begin their quest for a fourth successive title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham City. It is a tough start for the Blues who won promotion by finishing runners-up in the Championship behind Wolverhampton Wanderers who are at home to West Ham United on the opening day. The other new-boys Burnley, making their bow in the Premier League, begin away to the club they will aim to emulate – Stoke City.
Last season’s runners-up Liverpool, will begin this campaign as they finished the last against Tottenham Hotspur but this time away. Third-placed Chelsea host Hull City while Arsenal travel to FA Cup finalists Everton. Big-spending Manchester City start away to Blackburn Rovers while Fulham are away to Portsmouth.
New Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will kick off at Bolton Wanderers while Roberto Martinez takes charge of Wigan Athletic for the first time at Aston Villa.
Key Matches
Fans will be keen to see the key matches between the teams who finished in the top four last season, although fixture dates are still subject to change for television.
The first of these is currently scheduled for 29th August when Manchester United host Arsenal and the last is on 1st May when Chelsea travel to Liverpool.
Arsenal have a tough spell early in the New Year as they face successive matches against the other three teams from last season’s top four. In the space of 10 days they host Manchester United (30th January), then go to Chelsea (6th February) and are at home to Liverpool (9th February).
Manchester United v Arsenal (29th Aug)
Chelsea v Liverpool (3rd Oct)
Liverpool v Manchester United (24th Oct)
Chelsea v Manchester United (7th Nov)
Arsenal v Chelsea (28th Nov)
Liverpool v Arsenal (12th Dec)
Arsenal v Manchester United (30th Jan)
Chelsea v Arsenal (6th Feb)
Arsenal v Liverpool (9th Feb)
Manchester United v Liverpool (20th Mar)
Manchester United v Chelsea (3rd Apr)
Liverpool v Chelsea (1st May)
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