Chelsea begin their defence of the Barclays Premier League title
with a home match against newly-promoted West Brom.
The match on August 14 means a return to Stamford Bridge for
former Blues midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of
Albion.
Next up for the champions will be a trip to Wigan, where they
were beaten last season, before Stoke visit Stamford Bridge on
August 28.
Singing the Blues: Chelsea players celebrate being
crowned champions in May
The title holders have to wait until October 2 for their first
match against one of the big four clubs, when they face Arsenal at
home, with the return fixture on Boxing Day.
Carlo Ancelotti's side first play Manchester United on December
18, with the two shaping up at Old Trafford on May 7 - the Blues'
penultimate away fixture.
Shot at glory: Wayne Rooney
United, runners-up in 2009-10, also start with a home match
against a newly-promoted team. Sir Alex Ferguson's side take on
Newcastle on the first day.
And Blackpool, the third of the sides promoted from the
Championship, provide the Old Trafford opposition on the last day
of the season, May 22.
There are two intriguing matches between top-four hopefuls on
the opening day. Liverpool start the post-Rafael Benitez era
with a home match against Arsenal, while Tottenham and Manchester
City meet at White Hart Lane.
Aston Villa face West Ham and Everton travel to Blackburn, while
Blackpool's first match in the Premier League is at home, to local
rivals Wigan.
Elsewhere on the opening day, Steve Bruce's Sunderland are at
home to Birmingham, one of the clubs he previously managed.
Wolves and Stoke clash at Molineux, while Bolton and Europa
League runners-up Fulham meet in the north-west.
Ready for the big time: Blackpool boss Ian Holloway
celebrates their play-off win
