Chelsea won the title last season for the first time in four years

Chelsea will begin the defence of their Premier League title with a home match against newly promoted West Bromwich Albion on Saturday 14 August.

Heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal will meet at Anfield on the opening weekend.

Last season's runners-up Manchester United face a mouth-watering home match with top-flight new boys Newcastle.

Championship play-off winners Blackpool start at home to Wigan, while Tottenham host Manchester City, who they edged out for fourth place last term.

While Newcastle boss Chris Hughton believes his side can get a result at Old Trafford, elsewhere on the opening day of the 2010/11 season, Aston Villa face West Ham and Everton travel to Blackburn, while Steve Bruce's Sunderland are at home to his old club Birmingham, Stoke visit Wolves and Bolton welcome Europa League runners-up Fulham.

606: DEBATE Bit of a tricky opening game away at Anfield. I know people are saying it'll be easy but it wont be VanPersiesLethalFinish

The Premier League season will end on 22 May, meaning it will finish after the FA Cup final for the first time since 2002.

The FA Cup final will be staged on 14 May as Wembley Stadium is hosting the Champions League final on 28 May.

Chelsea will come up against one of their former players in Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo in their opener.

Next up for the champions will be a trip to Wigan, where they were beaten last season, before Stoke visit Stamford Bridge on 28 August.

Carlo Ancelotti's title holders have to wait until 2 October for their first match against one of last season's top four clubs, when they face Arsenal at home, with the return fixture on Boxing Day.

Chelsea host Manchester United on 18 December, with the two coming together at at Old Trafford on 7 May - the penultimate away fixture for the Blues.

Ian Holloway's Blackpool will know all about the rigours of the top flight by the time they travel to Old Trafford - the visit comes on the final day, giving them a tough end to the campaign on 22 May.

Before the season starts, Chelsea and Manchester United will meet in the FA Community Shield - the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season - at Wembley on Sunday, 8 August.

You can see the full Premier League fixture list here, or fixtures for each English club here.

Opening weekend - Saturday, 14 August

Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Man Utd v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke

Saturday, 21 August

Arsenal v Blackpool
Birmingham v Blackburn
Everton v Wolverhampton
Fulham v Man Utd
Man City v Liverpool
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Stoke v Tottenham
West Brom v Sunderland
West Ham v Bolton
Wigan v Chelsea

Saturday, 28 August

Aston Villa v Everton
Blackburn v Arsenal
Blackpool v Fulham
Bolton v Birmingham
Chelsea v Stoke
Liverpool v West Brom
Man Utd v West Ham
Sunderland v Man City
Tottenham v Wigan
Wolverhampton v Newcastle

NB All fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made.

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