Chelsea face a tough opening to their bid for a hat-trick of Premiership titles after being handed three potentially tricky fixtures for the start of the 2006-07 season.
Flying starts have been a feature of Chelsea’s last two successful campaigns. Last season, Jose Mourinho’s side began with nine straight wins and did not concede a goal in their first six.
But Mourinho’s multinational squad, many of whom will still be recovering from their World Cup efforts, will do well to secure maximum points from their opening run of games in the new campaign.
After opening up against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, the champions must travel to Middlesbrough, where they lost last season and then Blackburn before the end of August.
In contrast, Manchester United, who were undone by a slow start last season, have been handed the perfect opportunity to ease themselves into the new campaign.
After entertaining Fulham at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have away clashes at Charlton and new boys Watford.
Life gets harder for the Red Devils come September with Arsenal and Tottenham visiting Old Trafford on consecutive weekends.
Like Chelsea and United, Arsenal will kick off their campaign on home turf, Aston Villa having the honour of playing the first competitive match at the Gunners’ new 60 000-seat Emirates Stadium.
After that opener, the Gunners face trips to Wigan and Manchester City.
Only Liverpool from last year’s top four will be on the road over the opening weekend of August 19 to 20, with Rafael Benitez’s men travelling to Premiership newcomers Sheffield United.
The Reds then entertain Newcastle and West Ham, the latter being a replay of last season’s FA Cup final, which Liverpool won on penalties after Steven Gerrard’s spectacular last-minute equaliser.
Reading, who secured their top flight place as winners of the Championship last season, will begin their Premiership campaign at home to Middlesbrough, for what will be Gareth Southgate’s first match in charge of Boro.
Watford, the third of the new boys, travel to Everton for their opening match.
The first big derby clash of the new season will see Everton entertain Liverpool on September 9. Spurs make their first visit to the Emirates Stadium on December 2, while the first Manchester derby of the season will take place the following weekend at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s first meeting with Liverpool, arguably the most passionately contested fixture in English football, has been set for October 21 at Old Trafford.
The summit encounters between United and Chelsea are scheduled for October 25th and March 14th, although those fixtures are highly likely to be moved to suit television schedules. — AFP
