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London - Champions Chelsea will kick off their title defence at home to promoted West Bromwich Albion on August 14, the Premier League announced on Thursday.
In other headline clashes of the opening day fixtures, Newcastle United will mark their return to the top flight with a mouth-watering trip to Old Trafford against runners-up Manchester United.
Blackpool's opening Premier League fixture will be at home to Wigan Athletic before trips south to Arsenal and Fulham. They will also play at Manchester United on the final day of their first season in the top flight since 1971.
Arsenal, third last season, kick off their campaign with a tough starter against Liverpool at Anfield while Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City, the side they pipped for the final Champions League qualifying position last term.
Newcastle's match at Old Trafford is a re-run of the start of the 2008/09 season, at the end of which the Magpies were relegated and United went on to win the title.
The two clubs drew 1-1 on that occasion.
Last season's top two will have to wait until Dec. 18 for their first encounter, with United travelling to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea will then visit Old Trafford on May 7, two weeks before the end of the season.
Avram Grant's first league game as West Ham United manager, after leaving relegated Portsmouth, will be at Aston Villa.
Opening weekend - Saturday, August 14:
Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Man Utd v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke
Saturday, August 21
Arsenal v Blackpool
Birmingham v Blackburn
Everton v Wolverhampton
Fulham v Man Utd
Man City v Liverpool
Newcastle v Aston Villa
Stoke v Tottenham
West Brom v Sunderland
West Ham v Bolton
Wigan v Chelsea
Saturday, August 28
Aston Villa v Everton
Blackburn v Arsenal
Blackpool v Fulham
Bolton v Birmingham
Chelsea v Stoke
Liverpool v West Brom
Man Utd v West Ham
Sunderland v Man City
Tottenham v Wigan
Wolverhampton v Newcastle
