Manchester City will begin their defence of the Premier League title by hosting newly promoted Southampton at the Etihad Stadium, scene of last season's thrilling climax to the campaign.

Roberto Mancini's side then travel to Anfield for Brendan Rodgers' first home league game in charge of Liverpool, before a repeat of last season's final day fixture against Queens Park Rangers.

A trip to Stoke City follows before a home game with last term's third place side Arsenal.

Vincent Kompany
City begin their defence at home to Southampton. Reuters

Near-neighbours and last season's runners-up Manchester United start their attempts to regain their crown away at Everton, before their opening game at Old Trafford against Fulham.

Southampton at St Mary's follows for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, while a home game with Wigan Athletic comes before a triple-header with three of last season's top eight in Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

The Manchester pair are scheduled to face off at the Etihad Stadium on 8 December, with the return at the Theatre of Dreams on 6 April.

Elsewhere on the first day of the season, last campaign's fourth and fifth placed sides meet at St James' Park, as Newcastle take on Tottenham Hotspur, while Arsenal welcome Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium.

Champions League winners Chelsea start their league season with a trip to Wigan Athletic and Steve Clarke begins his managerial reign at West Bromwich Albion against former side Liverpool.

West Ham United's return to the Premier League begins with meeting with Paul Lambert's Aston Villa, and another new manager, in Chris Hughton, starts his Norwich City tenure at Craven Cottage to play Fulham.

Michael Laudrup the sixth managerial alteration of the summer begins his tenure in the Premier League, with his Swansea City career starting with a visit to Queens Park Rangers.

Champions of the Championship, Reading, host Stoke City upon their return to the top flight after a four-year absence.

Stand out games in the opening weekends of the season sees Newcastle travel to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea, Southampton to face both United and Arsenal before the end of September, while The Gunners will also take on Liverpool on 1 September.

Both Liverpool and Southampton take on the division's top three from last season in their opening five game of the season, in a daunting start to the campaign.

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