Van Gaal given Old Trafford start

Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title away to Newcastle United, while Louis van Gaal‘s first game as Manchester United manager is at home to Swansea City.

The Premier League and Football League fixtures were released yesterday, with the top-flight season starting on August 16th and tiers two to four beginning one week earlier.

After facing Newcastle at St James’s Park on the opening day, City then play Liverpool at home the following weekend. Manuel Pellegrini’s side were beaten 3-2 on a dramatic afternoon at Anfield the last time the two teams met in April but a late slump from Liverpool allowed City to usurp them at the top of the table and secure the title by two points, their second success in three years.

United began last season against Swansea in Wales, David Moyes starting his tenure with a victory despite his ill-fated spell in charge. His successor faces Swansea before a trip to Sunderland and then the three promoted Championship teams – Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City – in succession.

United have a tough run at the end of October and beginning of November, playing Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of four matches. Chelsea, who kick off against Burnley at Turf Moor, have a similarly difficult end to the season, playing United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the space of four matches in April and May.

Arsene Wenger’s first game is a home fixture against Crystal Palace, before against Manchester City in mid-September and back-to-back matches with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

The first north London derby of the season is at the Emirates Stadium on September 27th before a return fixture at White Hart Lane in February.

Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool start with a home game against Southampton, in Ronald Koeman's first game in charge, and their first Merseyside derby is scheduled for September 27th. Mauricio Pochettino begins his Tottenham reign at West Ham while Alan Irvine and West Bromwich Albion host Sunderland.

Christmas duels All three promoted teams will play at home on the opening weekend, QPR playing Hull, Leicester hosting Everton and Burnley facing Chelsea.

St Stephen’s Day provides some intriguing duels, including two London derbies. Arsenal are at home to QPR, while Chelsea host West Ham. Burnley and Liverpool play at Turf Moor, Manchester City face West Brom, while United are at home to Newcastle. Tottenham travel to Leicester, Sunderland host Hull, Crystal Palace face Southampton, Everton play Stoke and Aston Villa are away to Swansea.

The last day of the season on May 24th has Everton playing Tottenham at Goodison Park, and Leicester at home to QPR.

The pick of the opening-day Championship fixtures is Wolves against Norwich at Molineux. There will be no Football League fixtures on New Year’s Day, although Premier League matches are set to go ahead. Guardian Service