Liverpool's next manager faces a difficult start to life at Anfield after the Premier League fixture list for 2010-11 delivered an opening-day visit from Arsenal. Roy Hodgson remains favourite for the job.
Tottenham Hotspur have an immediate opportunity to gloat over beating Manchester City to the final Champions League qualifying berth last season when they host Roberto Mancini's side on 14 August. But it is their north London rivals' visit to Merseyside for a meeting of two clubs under severe pressure to retain their prized players this summer that is the standout fixture of the opening weekend.
Arsène Wenger's side triumphed 2-1 at Liverpool last season courtesy of a winning goal from Andrey Arshavin, the Russia international who scored four times on his previous league visit to Anfield. Whether Cesc Fábregas, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will all be on display in August remains to be seen.
Chelsea open their Premier League title defence at home to the newly promoted West Bromwich Albion, who are managed by the former Stamford Bridge midfielder Roberto Di Matteo. Manchester United are also at home to a newly promoted side in the form of the Championship champions, Newcastle United, whom they faced on the opening day in 2000‑01 and 2008‑09, winning the title in both seasons.
"It's a tough start for us," said Chris Hughton, the Newcastle manager. "We would have preferred a home game to kick the season off but you take what you get. We can take heart and confidence from the 1-1 draw we earned at Old Trafford two years ago on the opening day of the 2008-09 season."
Manchester United appear to have the most demanding start of all last season's title challengers. travel to Fulham for their first away game and face both Liverpool and Everton in their opening five matches. They also have back-to-back clashes with Arsenal and Chelsea in December. Meanwhile their final 10 fixtures include trips to Anfield, Upton Park, St James' Park, the Emirates Stadium and Ewood Park, where United's title challenge faltered last season. Chelsea follow their opener with a trip to Wigan Athletic, who beat Carlo Ancelotti's team at the DW Stadium last season, followed by a home game with Stoke City.
There is less cause for Ferguson to complain about his domestic duties following Champions League group matches next season. United have four games at Old Trafford and only two away after midweek European commitments, whereas Chelsea will be on the road four times after their six Champions League group games, including trips to Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Blackpool's first appearance in the top flight since 1971 will be at home to Wigan, followed by an away trip to Arsenal. The Seasiders finish their Premier League campaign at Old Trafford. "That will be nice if we could celebrate staying up," said the manager, Ian Holloway.
