Champions start against West Brom

2010-2011 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: CHELSEA BEGIN their defence of the Premier League title with a home match against newly-promoted West Brom.

The match on August 14th means a return to Stamford Bridge for former Blues midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of Albion. Next up for the champions will be a trip to Wigan, where they were beaten last season, before Stoke visit Stamford Bridge on August 28th.

The title-holders have to wait until October 2nd for their first match against one of the big-four clubs, when they face Arsenal at home, with the return fixture on St Stephen’s Day.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side first play Manchester United on December 18th, with the two squaring up at Old Trafford on May 7th – the Blues’ penultimate away fixture.

United, runners-up in 2009-’10, also start with a home match against a newly-promoted team, Newcastle United.

“It’s a tough start for us,” said Magpies boss Chris Hughton. “We would have preferred a home game to kick the season off but you take what you get. We can take heart and confidence from the 1-1 draw we earned at Old Trafford two years ago on the opening day of the 2008-’09 season.”

United then travel to Fulham before seeing out August with a home clash against West Ham.

Everton await Alex Ferguson’s men after the international break, before city rivals Liverpool head to Old Trafford on August 18th. United’s away game to title rivals Chelsea is on December 18th.

Ferguson has often been concerned about the Premier League games his side are given after Champions League matches.

However, his team compare favourably to Chelsea this season, with United having four home games and two away after midweek European action, while four of Chelsea’s six are on the road – including trips to Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.

Sunderland are United’s St Stephen’s Day opponents at Old Trafford, while newly-promoted Blackpool are United’s last-day opponents on May 22nd – eight days after the FA Cup final.

Seasiders boss Ian Holloway said: “That will be nice if we could celebrate staying up. I am sure Sir Alex (Ferguson) has already sent me a letter telling me to bring some good red wine.”

Blackpool start at home against local rivals Wigan. Their next match is a daunting trip to Arsenal. “It is nice to kick off with a home game and with Wigan up the road it will be nice for us,” added Holloway.

On the trip to north London to face Arsene Wenger’s men, he added: “That’s fantastic, that’s exactly what I wanted. It will be a new experience for all of us going to the Emirates. Hopefully all the butterflies will be out of the way and we can see what we can do.”

Elsewhere on the opening day, Aston Villa face West Ham and Everton travel to Blackburn.

Steve Bruce’s Sunderland are at home to Birmingham – one of the clubs he previously managed.

Meanwhile, George Burley yesterday took over as manager of Crystal Palace looking to revive both his fortunes and those of the Championship club.

Had everything gone to plan in his last job, Burley would currently be preparing for Scotland’s second group game at this summer’s World Cup.

But instead of South Africa, the 54-year-old finds himself in south London in his first role since he was axed as national boss last November following Scotland’s dismal qualifying campaign.

He takes over a club also needing to rebuild its own reputation, with Palace having been on the brink of going bust until the CPFC 2010 consortium saved them at the start of the month.

But it is a challenge Burley, who 10 years ago guided Ipswich to the Premier League and has also managed Derby, Hearts and Southampton, is relishing.

“I’m glad to be back in club football and hopefully I can take the club back to the Premier League,” he said. “The club being in administration wasn’t easy, we’ve lost a couple of players and others are out of contract, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”