United v Spurs tops bill on Premier League opening day

Juan Mata was among the scorers when Man Utd beat neighbours City 4-2 in April ... they meet again on October 24Juan Mata was among the scorers when Man Utd beat neighbours City 4-2 in April ... they meet again on October 24
Juan Mata was among the scorers when Man Utd beat neighbours City 4-2 in April ... they meet again on October 24
The stand-out clash in the opening round of Premier League fixtures sees Manchester United take on Tottenham, while champions Chelsea will start the defence of their title with a home game against Swansea.

Jose Mourinho’s men finished eight points ahead of the rest in 2014/15 and will begin a bid for a repeat showing against Garry Monk’s side when everything gets under way on August 8.

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Liverpool will have an immediate chance to banish memories of their 6-1 drubbing at Stoke on the final day of last season, after being selected to go back to the Britannia on day one of the new campaign.

Manchester City start out on the road at West Bromwich Albion, while Arsenal kick-off at home against new West Ham boss Slaven Bilic.

Promoted Bournemouth begin life in the top flight at home to Aston Villa, with fellow newcomers Watford and new manager Quique Sanchez Flores at Everton.

Play-off winners Norwich host Crystal Palace.

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Elsewhere on day one, Steve McClaren – one of three new bosses – starts out as Newcastle manager against Southampton at St James’ Park and Leicester are at home to Sunderland.

Once the opening weekend is out of the way Chelsea head to Manchester City for an early-season blockbuster, followed by clashes at West Bromwich and at home to Crystal Palace.

Manchester United are at Aston Villa on week two, followed by a home game with Newcastle and a trip to Swansea.

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For City, Chelsea are followed by Everton (away) and Watford (home), with Arsenal taking in Crystal Palace (away), Liverpool (home) and Newcastle (away) after their opener.

The first Manchester derby comes at Old Trafford on October 24, with the Eastland clash penned in for March 19. United face Chelsea in a tasty-looking festive clash on December 28 and meet them at Stamford Bridge on February 6.

McClaren’s first taste of the North East rivalry with Sunderland will come at home on October 24, the first Merseyside derby is set for October 3 at Anfield, with November 7 the date for the first meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham. Chelsea face Arsenal first on September 19.

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Bournemouth and their 11,700-capacity stadium can look forward to plenty, but will surely have December 12 (Manchester United), February 6 (Arsenal), April 2 (Manchester City), April 16 (Liverpool) and April 23 (Chelsea) ringed on the calendar.