The 2008/9 fixtures for the season’s English Premier League, as well as the lower divisions, were announced in London earlier today.

Premier League winners Manchester United kick off with a home fixture against Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United.

Chelsea, under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, also have a home fixture. The London club come up against FA Cup winners Portsmouth.

Arsenal, third in the past season’s league, also find themselves at home. They have probably the easier task of the top four finishers from last season as they host newly promoted West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool begin their campaign with an away match at The Stadium Of Light, where they face Roy Keane’s Sunderland.

Newcomers Hull City play their first ever top flight match when they meet Fulham at home. The other newly promoted club Stoke City travel to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers.

The first weekend of fixtures will take place on 16 August.