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June 18, 2010

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Reds kick off season against Gunners

LIVERPOOL and Arsenal meet on the opening day of the English Premier League season while Chelsea kicks off its defense of the title against promoted West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United takes on Newcastle United.

The Premier League released the season's schedule yesterday and announced some intriguing matchups when the campaign kicks off on August 14.

Tottenham Hotspur, which finished fourth last season, hosts Manchester City.

Chelsea faces former midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, who is now in charge of West Brom, while Newcastle's return to the top flight means a visit to Old Trafford.

Carlo Ancelotti's team, which also captured the FA Cup for a first ever double for the club, doesn't face United until December 18 at Stamford Bridge and their other meeting at Old Trafford is not until May 7, the next to last round of games.

The other promoted team, Blackpool, which is back in the top flight for the first time since 1971, starts at home to Wigan Athletic but faces United on the final day, May 22.

Avram Grant's first league game as West Ham United manager, after leaving relegated Portsmouth, will be at Aston Villa.

In other games, Everton visits Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland hosts Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Stoke City, and Europa League runner-up Fulham goes to Bolton Wanderers.

Bookmakers William Hill established Chelsea as immediate 13/8 favorite to retain the title, with United at 2/1 and Abu Dhabi owned-Manchester City and Arsenal both at 6/1.

Liverpool, still to name a replacement for departed manager Rafa Benitez, was listed at 12/1.

Newcastle's match at Old Trafford is a re-run of the start of the 2008/09 season, at the end of which the Magpies were relegated and United went on to win the title. The two clubs drew 1-1 on that occasion.

"It's a very, very difficult first game," said Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, who has yet to make any major new signings.

"We realize that the league that we are in, there are probably going to be three sections of the league and we know what (one) possibly we are going to be in. They are the games we need to get points from."



 

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