Barclays Premier League Fixtures for next season 2009 / 2010 announced
Last updated 17/06/2009 12:19:51
Barclays Premier League Fixtures for next season announced
There has scarcely been time to catch your breath at the end of the football season before it begins all over again.
It is the moment for every football optimist as the fixtures for NEXT season were announced this week, restoring jaded spirits and bringing fresh hope to those who failed to live up to expectations last season and nothing could set it off better than for two Scots to clash on the opening day.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will come face to face with newly promoted Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish, as the Blues are given the toughest start imaginable at Old Trafford.
The only mitigating factor for the Blues and their supporters (I count myself as one being a born and bred Blue Nose) is that United are not known to start the season too brightly, winding up their challenge as the long season progresses. Hope springs eternal!
Italian Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge at Chelsea will be against a Hull side who began last season brilliantly but who were lucky to stay up come the crunch. The game is at Stamford Bridge as the campaign gets under way on the weekend of August 15. Ancelloti will have a great deal to live up to both with the players and the fans as he succeeds the successful and popular Guus Hiddinck.
Two of the most fascinating fixtures on the opening day of the season are runners up Liverpool to open their account at Tottenham, who have their eyes on a top four place while Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal, fourth in the table, also face a Merseyside clash against fifth place Everton at Goodison Park.
Spurs and Everton are two of the pack who will be closing in on one of those Champions League places along with the likes of Aston Villa and possibly Manchester City to make this one of the most closely contested seasons for many years.
It makes it tough for newcomers like Wolves who play West Ham at Molineux while play off winners Burnley test their strength with a visit to that very physical Stoke side on their return to the top flight before facing Manchester United at Turf Moor 18 August.
More on United, Man City, Wigan, Liverpool and Chelsea on the next page.
Puma helps boy with only two fingers with goalkeeping gloves.