Premier League champions Manchester City have been handed a very difficult opening set of fixtures as they start their title defence with an away trip to Newcastle.

Next up for the Citizens are last season’s runners-up Liverpool. 

They then get a bit of a rest as they welcome Stoke to the Etihad before heading down to the capital where they meet Arsenal at the Emirates and then have the pleasure of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea visiting Manchester the following week.

Liverpool entertain Ronald Koeman’s Southampton while former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge will be a London derby as they travel to Upton Park to take on West Ham. 

In another opening weekend London derby, Crystal Palace face FA Cup holders Arsenal at Selhurst Park.

Championship winners Leicester start their campaign at home to Everton while runners-up Burnley host Chelsea on the opening weekend.

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been given the same opener as David Moyes did last season as the Red Devils take on Swansea at Old Trafford. Unlike Moyes though, Van Gaal has been given a much easier opening six games. 

Last season they faced Chelsea, Liverpool and City within a month whereas this year the Dutchman will face all three of the promoted sides before the end of September.

Their first real test will come on October 25 when United take on Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Luck did not look kindly on Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa.

The Villans travel to Stoke on the opening day and then face Newcastle and Hull at Villa Park.

However, after that they face last season’s top four in a run of fixtures which could leave them at the worng end of the table come October.

First up is a trip to Anfield on September 13, with Arsenal at home Chelsea away and Manchester City at home being the next three fixtures.

The first Merseyside derby has been scheduled for September 27 with Liverpool being the lucky hosts while the Etihad will host the first Manchester derby on November 1.

The traditional Boxing Day fixtures sees two London derbies. Firstly Arsenal battle QPR with Chelsea taking on West Ham. 

New Year’s Day will see Spurs host Chelsea while Mark Hughes’s Stoke welcome his former club United.