United at West Brom first-up

Manchester United begin their title defence at West Brom and Queens Park Rangers host Bolton on the English Premier League’s opening day.

The 2012/13 Premier League season officially gets underway with a number of low-key matchups, including United’s trip to The Hawthorns to face Roy Hodgson’s men.

But things improve markedly for United fans in the following weeks, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team hosting back-to-back games at Old Trafford against Tottenham and Arsenal.

Arsenal have been handed a tough start in their quest for silverware, beginning with an opening-day match at Newcastle United.

The Magpies famously held the Gunners to a 4-4 draw in the same fixture last season, despite the visitors leading 4-0 after 26 minutes.

Arsenal will then welcome Liverpool to the Emirates before the trip to Old Trafford.

Chelsea’s next manager has somewhat of a soft opening with an away game at Stoke City to kick of the 2012/13 campaign.

The Blues then return to Stamford Bridge to host West Brom and promoted club Norwich City.

Spurs host Everton on opening day in an early pick for match of the round, and also welcome Manchester City to White Hart Lane following their clash with City’s Mancunian rivals.

Liverpool’s new signing Jordan Henderson could make his Reds debut against former club Sunderland with the two set to meet at Anfield on opening day.

Alex McLeish gets his first chance to win over Aston Villa fans when he leads his new club against Fulham at Craven Cottage, while Manchester City host Swansea City in the latter’s first-ever top-flight fixture.

Of the other promoted clubs, Championship winners QPR mark their return to the top-flight at Reebok Stadium and Norwich travel to Wigan Athletic.

Blackburn host Wolverhampton in the final opening day fixture.

The final day of the 2012/13 campaign could be another relegation scrap, with Swansea hosting Liverpool, Norwich at home to Villa and QPR travelling to Eastlands to face Man City.

United round off their season away to Sunderland, Chelsea host Blackburn, Tottenham welcome Fulham to White Hart Lane and Arsenal visit West Brom.