New Season’s Football Fixtures Released

Premier League Champions Manchester United will travel to Roy Hodgson’s West Bromwich Albion on the first day of the new football league season.

The fixtures for the English and Scottish leagues were released this morning as football fans gear up for a new campaign with renewed optimism.

Chelsea travel to Stoke City on the opening day while Arsenal face a long trip to Newcastle United.

Newly promoted Swansea City, the first Welsh side to participate in the Premier League, start with a dream trip to big-spending Manchester City, while Queens Park Rangers have been handed a home match with Bolton Wanderers. Norwich City mark their return to the division after a six-year absence with a trip to Wigan Athletic.

In the Championship, newly relegated West Ham United face a tricky home fixture against Cardiff City which will give a big indicator of how well they have adapted to life in a lower division.

Blackpool will travel to Hull City to mark their return after one season in the top flight and manager-less Birmingham City travel to Nigel Clough’s Derby County.

Brighton & Hove Albion celebrate their return to the Championship after winning the League One title with a home match in their new American Express Community Stadium against Doncaster Rovers, while Southampton welcome Leeds United and League One play-off winners Peterborough United host Crystal Palace.

Stevenage Borough begin their first ever season in League One by hosting Exeter, while League Two Champions Chesterfield and runners-up Bury both face away matches at Tranmere Rovers and Peterborough’s Wembley victims Huddersfield Town.

Relegated Sheffield United travel to Oldham, Preston North End are at Colchester United and Scunthorpe United travel to Wycombe Wanderers, the fourth side promoted from League Two.

AFC Wimbledon begin life in the football league by hosting newly relegated Bristol Rovers in League Two, while the other promoted Football Conference side, Crawley Town, travel to Port Vale.

Relegated Plymouth Argyle host last season’s League Two play-off semi-finalists Shrewsbury Town, and Swindon Town begin life in a lower division at home to Crewe Alexandra. Dagenham & Redbridge travel to Macclesfield.

If the Premier League title race goes as far as the final game of the season, Chelsea will be hosting Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City host Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United are at Sunderland.

Liverpool are away at Swansea City while Arsenal face a tricky trip to West Bromwich Albion.

By Leigh Sanders

[Image courtesy of Gordon Flood]