Manchester City face Newcastle on opening day

Champions Manchester City will face Newcastle United on the opening day as Premier League newcomers Burnley welcome Chelsea.

City’s title defence will begin at St James’ Park on the weekend of August 16 before the visit of Liverpool a week later, while Jose Mourinho’s bid to return the top-flight crown to Stamford Bridge starts with a trip to Turf Moor.

Liverpool, who finished runners-up last season, host Ronald Koeman’s Southampton and Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United tenure kicks off at Old Trafford against Swansea City.

Upton Park will stage an opening-day derby as Tottenham take on West Ham, while another two London clubs square up at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal meet Crystal Palace.

Newly promoted duo Leicester City and QPR are at home to Everton and Hull City respectively.

Elsewhere on the first day, Aston Villa head to Stoke City, and Alan Irvine’s West Brom host Sunderland.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men also play Arsenal and Chelsea inside their first five fixtures, with a season-ending home match versus Southampton on May 24.

October 4 will see Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino renew acquaintances with their former employers as their sides meet Arsenal and Southampton respectively.

The first Manchester derby of the campaign will take place at the Etihad Stadium on November 1, while Arsenal’s home clash with Tottenham is scheduled for September 27 and the return is set for February 7.

Fans of Newcastle and Sunderland will have to wait until December for their first showdown at St James’ Park, while the Stadium of Light meeting is pencilled in for April 4.