Barclays Premier League fixtures 2015-2016 Out
Manchester United vs Tottenham is pick of opening day clashes… but Liverpool face nightmare start
Premier League fixtures 2015-2016 have been released
Champions Chelsea start season against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge
Manchester United host Tottenham in mouthwatering opening match
Liverpool return to Stoke, where they were humiliated on final day last term
Brendan Rodgers then faces quick trips to Arsenal and Manchester United
Chelsea will kick off their Premier League title defence against Swansea City but it will be Brendan Rodgers who has most to fear on the opening day of the 2015-16 season with Liverpool facing a nightmare return to Stoke City.
Liverpool face an immediate return to the Britannia Stadium, the scene of their 6-1 humiliation on the final day of last season. And things will get no easier for Rodgers, who faces trips to Arsenal and Manchester United within the first five games of the new season.
United host Tottenham Hotspur in the most mouthwatering fixture of the opening round on August 8 – but which team Harry Kane will play for is not yet certain given Louis van Gaal’s interest in the young Spurs striker. The Dutch boss will not have long to wait for the biggest game in English football, when Liverpool visit Old Trafford on September 12. United’s trip to Anfield is scheduled for January 16.
OPENING DAY FIXTURES
AUGUST 8:
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Arsenal vs West Ham United
Chelsea vs Swansea City
Everton vs Watford
Leicester City vs Sunderland
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United vs Southampton
Norwich City vs Crystal Palace
Stoke City vs Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City
Jose Mourinho should be happy with his opening day clash but things soon heat up with the reigning champions facing a daunting visit to Manchester City in their second fixture on August 15.
Bournemouth will open their first ever season in the top flight of English football by welcoming Aston Villa to the Goldsands Stadium. But Eddie Howe’s men face a potentially intriguing final day visit to Old Trafford, where all could be to play for at both ends of the table.
Of the other newly-promoted teams, Watford start their campaign at Everton while play-off winners Norwich host Crystal Palace.
West Ham’s last ever league match at Upton Park will be against Swansea on May 7, with the club set to move home to the Olympic Stadium next season.
FA Cup winners Arsenal start their campaign for a first title in 11 years at home against West Ham, but Arsene Wenger will soon face the toughest test of his season with a visit to Chelsea, where his nemesis Mourinho awaits, on September 19.
FINAL DAY FIXTURES
MAY 15:
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Chelsea vs Leicester City
Everton vs Norwich City
Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
Stoke City vs West Ham United
Swansea City vs Manchester City
Watford vs Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool
Those eager to see Mourinho clash with Van Gaal will have to wait until December 28 when United host Chelsea for the first time, while the old friends and rivals will meet again at Stamford Bridge on February 6.
The first Manchester derby of the season comes at Old Trafford on October 24 with the return at the Etihad Stadium pencilled in for March 19.
Liverpool travel to Goodison Park for the Merseyside derby on October 3, while Roberto Martinez takes his side to Anfield on February 27.
The first north London derby is scheduled for the Emirates Stadium on November 7 while Tottenham host their fierce rivals on March 5.
Steve McClaren’s opening league match in charge of Newcastle comes at St James’ Park against Southampton and his first experience of a Tyne-Wear derby will be at the Stadium of Light on October 24.
All fixtures subject to change once live TV schedule has been finalised.
adopted from DailyMail
