The fixtures for the 2012/13 season have been released and they have thrown up a few juicy looking fixtures to kick off a new season which begins on August 18th.
Who are your team facing first?
Champions Manchester City will defend their title against newly promoted Southampton first. This fixture promises fireworks with the champions wanting to stamp their authority early on in the league and make clear their intentions to win more football trophies. Newcomers Southampton will be tasked with proving their worth and starting their campaign with a bang.
Manchester United get to face a potentially tricky tie at Goodison against Everton, while Arsenal host Sunderland and Chelsea travel to Wigan.
Liverpool’s new boss Brendan Rodgers will have a baptism of fire, facing Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in his first three home games. This is no easy task as Dalglish was sacked because of his pitiful home game record. Rodgers will be hoping Liverpool forwards hit the back of the opposition football nets more regularly early on to erase all doubt about his appointment. Will they get off to a flying start away to West Brom?
Paul Lambert’s first game as Aston Villa manager will be an away trip to West Ham, who will be looking to establish themselves more permanently in the top flight after last season’s brief flirtation in the Championship; and Lambert’s old club Norwich, now managed by Chris Hughton, will face a tough first test away at Fulham.
The Premier League manager roundabout has been in full swing in the off-season, with six Premier League teams opting for a manager change. There will be a lot of different football kits and managers will have to change tracksuits, but this Premier League season could make or break a name or two.
Whoever takes over from Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur will have wanted a far easier start than an away match versus Newcastle United. Spurs could be in for a very long season.
Fresh faces to the Premier League include Danish legend Michael Laudrup who will take Swansea to visit QPR, while Reading manager Brian McDermott will be looking to stop Stoke City.
Meanwhile in the Championship, freshly relegated Bolton will take on Burnley, which will be a return for Owen Coyle to his former club. Wolves face Leeds United and Blackburn will face Birmingham. The first clash of former Premier League clubs will be on October 6th when Blackburn face Wolves at Ewood Park, then Bolton will come to the Molineux on October 23rd.
Image Rights: Smabs Sputzer
