2012-13 Premier League Schedule Announced
The fixtures for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season have been announced, with champions Manchester City set to begin their defence at home to newly-promoted Southampton.
Roberto Mancini’s men, who edged Manchester United to the title in the final seconds of the season, face Nigel Adkins’ newly-promoted side on 18th August at the Etihad Stadium.
Rivals United kick off their campaign against Everton before taking on Fulham at Old Trafford the following weekend.
Arsenal, who finished 3rd in the table last season, begin with a home game against Sunderland, before taking to the road with trips to Stoke and Liverpool.
Two Europa League rivals meet on the opening day at the Sports Direct Arena, with Newcastle taking on Tottenham – currently managerless after the departure of Harry Redknapp.
Roberto di Matteo’s career as permanent Chelsea coach begins with a game at Wigan, with the Champions League winner’s first home game of 2012/13 against Newcastle the following week.
Brendan Rodgers’ new side Liverpool open at West Brom – although the first three Anfield fixtures will involve Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Swansea, now managed by Michael Laudrup, begin at QPR, while West Ham’s return to the Premier League starts with a home match against Aston Villa, now managed by Paul Lambert.
On the ever-expanding managerial merry-go-round, Norwich, the side Lambert left and now managed by Chris Hughton, will face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Newcomers Reading will have home advantage in their first top flight game for four years – with Stoke the opening-day opponents at the Madejski Stadium.
Meanwhile, Boxing Day will see Manchester United face Newcastle, while Sunderland and City meet at the Stadium of Light.
Of the final day, highlights include Newcastle against Arsenal on 19th May, while newly-promoted West Ham and Reading will contest for potentially priceless final day points at Upton Park.
Elsewhere, in Scotland, Rangers have not appeared on the official Scottish Premier League fixture list for 2012/13.
Instead, the soon-to-be liquidated club has been replaced by “Club 12”.
Rangers were bought by Charles Green’s consortium last week and it has formed a new company that will have to re-apply for SPL membership.
However, no date has yet been set for the vote, where Rangers need to win support of seven of the other 11 clubs.
A date will be set once The Rangers Football Club – the name of the new entity – officially submit their application.
