The new English Premiership fixture list was published today and newly promoted West Brom face a baptism of fire with a trip to Old Trafford for their opening game of the season against Man United.
To make matters worse Gary Megson's side will then have to entertain Leeds at The Hawthorns a week later before they travel to Highbury to meet Double winners Arsenal three days after that.
However, West Brom are not the only newcomers handed a tough start. Local rivals Birmingham visit Arsenal on opening day and then entertain Leeds at St Andrew's on August 31st, while runaway Division One champions Manchester City launch their campaign at Elland Road.
The three promoted sides have the pick of the first round of fixtures, although all three are away from home.
Last season's runners-up Liverpool travel to Aston Villa, while fourth-placed Newcastle welcome West Ham to St James' Park hoping for a repeat of their final home game in the last campaign in which they beat Glenn Roeder's side 3-1.
Survivors Blackburn and Sunderland meet at Ewood Park, while Bolton head for Fulham and Middlesbrough embark on the longest trip of the day to Southampton.
London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham are also on the road, Claudio Ranieri's men making the short journey to Charlton and Spurs heading up the M6 to Everton.
But the men from Stamford Bridge do not have to wait too long for their first big home game as Manchester United head south the following weekend.
Boro boss Steve McClaren and his players will get a chance to repeat last season's shock 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday, August 28th, while the following Saturday throws up appetising clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal, and Liverpool and Newcastle.
But the date Manchester City fans will be scribbling in their diaries is Saturday, November 7th when arch-rivals United head into blue territory with local pride at stake.
That will also figure large in the Old Trafford calendar, but perhaps their most eagerly anticipated fixture will come on December 7th when they get a chance to exorcise the ghost of Arsenal's 1-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams in May which clinched the Premiership title for the Gunners.
PA