Soccer

United to kick-off new season against Birmingham

Soccer: Champions Manchester United being their defence of the Barclays Premier League title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham…

Wed Jun 17 2009 - 01:00

Soccer:Champions Manchester United being their defence of the Barclays Premier League title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham on August 15th. Following that the Alex Ferguson's side will visit Burnley to take on the Coca-Cola Championship play off-winners.

The title holders have to wait until the end of the month before their first match against one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 29th, with the return fixture at Emirates Stadium on January 30th.

Ferguson's side visit Anfield to play Liverpool on October 24th and the Premier League runners-up are at Old Trafford on March 20th.

Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United as new manager Carlo Ancelotti's side are at home to the champions on November 7th, with the return fixture on April 3rd. United close the season at home to Stoke on May 9th.

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Liverpool start and end their season with away fixtures, at Tottenham on August 15th and Hull on May 9th. Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on October 3rd and play host to last season's third-placed team on May 1st.

Rafael Benitez's side are at home to Arsenal on December 12th and visit the Gunners on February 9th.

Ancelotti's first game in charge of Chelsea in English football will be at home to Hull on August 15th, with the season finishing at home to Wigan on May 9th.

Chelsea are away to Arsenal on November 28th and at home to the Gunners on February 6th.

Arsene Wenger's side open their campaign away to Everton and close the season with a home fixture against Fulham.

Championship winners Wolves are at home to West Ham on the opening day of the season and finish off with a home fixture against Sunderland.

Wolves fans will be looking forward to a December 15th trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United and a home fixture against the champions on March 6th.

Fellow new boys Birmingham have their opening day encounter with United and play host to the champions on January 9th. Alex McLeish's side complete their fixtures with a trip to face Bolton.

Burnley are second up against United, following Birmingham, but wait until January 16 to visit Old Trafford. A visit to Stoke opens the season for Owen Coyle's men who sign off at home to Tottenham.