Fulham to kick off at Man United

13 April 2012

Jean Tigana's

Fixtures for the 2001-2002 season, released this morning, also give a daunting start for new West Ham manager Glenn Roeder.

His team are away to Liverpool on Saturday 18 August, followed by home games against Chelsea the following Wednesday and Leeds on 25 August.

Roeder told Standard Sport: "They're all tough in the Premiership but they don't come much harder than these first three.

"We have to make sure we hit the ground running. We're working hard to bring some top quality players into the club to add to the talent we have here already."

The early return of former West Ham midfield star Frank Lampard, sold to Chelsea last week for £11 million, will give added spice to the clash against Chelsea while another former Hammers favourite, Rio Ferdinand, will be back at Upton Park with Leeds.

Last season's runners-up Arsenal, who have strengthened their squad in the summer, begin their campaign at Middlesbrough. Manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to get closer to champions United next season and hopes that £6m transfer target Richard Wright will be signed from Ipswich later this week and available for the new season.

After meeting Middlesbrough and new manager Steve McClaren, the former Old Trafford No 2, Arsenal have a midweek clash with Leeds at Highbury on 21 August.

Chelsea wanted a home game to start their season and will be happy that they can open their new West Stand in style with a match against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Glenn Hoddle's Tottenham and Alan Curbishley's Charlton are also at home on the opening day, against Aston Villa and Everton respectively.

William Hill have made United 10-11 favourites for the Premiership followed by Liverpool (4-1), Arsenal (5-1), Leeds (6-1), Chelsea (9-1), Fulham (33-1) and Spurs (50-1).

Charlton and West Ham, both 350-1 to win the title, are 9-4 and 3-1 respectively to be relegated.

In the First Division, Kevin Keegan and Gianluca Vialli come face-to-face on the opening day of the new Nationwide League season when the Italian takes his Watford side to Manchester City on 11 August.

Second Division champions Millwall begin with a game against Norwich at The Den.

Steve Bruce starts his managerial career at Crystal Palace with an away game against newly-promoted Rotherham. Wimbledon start at home to Birmingham.

The Second Division match of the day is the clash between relegated Queens Park Rangers and Stoke at Loftus Road. Brentford are away to Wigan.

In Division Three, Leyton Orient, who lost in the play-off final to Blackpool, begin their new season with a trip to Cheltenham.

The second round of Premiership games, scheduled for Wednesday 21 August, are Arsenal v Leeds, Aston Villa v Charlton, Blackburn v Manchester United, Bolton v Middlesbrough, Everton v Tottenham, Fulham v Sunderland, Ipswich v Derby, West Ham v Chelsea.

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