Man City to kick off title defence against Southampton

The 2011/2012 Champions of the English Premiership, Manchester City will start their Barclays Premier League title defence at home to newly-promoted Southampton.

The champions will be confident of starting their campaign with three points when they kick off at the Etihad Stadium on August 18.

It is the beginning of what many will feel is a relatively straightforward start for Roberto Mancini’s side.

City fans will be happy with their opening fixtures – their next nine games, come against Liverpool, QPR, Stoke, Arsenal, Fulham, Sunderland, West Brom, Swansea and West Ham.

West Ham, Swansea, Reading and Norwich, will be their final four opponents in 2013.

Rivals Manchester United, who lost out in the title race on the final day of the last season, will face a tricky start away to Everton at Goodison Park.

United are due to face Fulham, Southampton, Wigan, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Stoke, Chelsea and Arsenal in the other opening fixtures for the new season.

Arsenal, who finished third, will play Sunderland at home at the Emirates Stadium.

New Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, starts his career away to West Bromwich Albion, which is now managed by Kenny Dalglish’s old Anfield No 2 Steve Clarke.

Chelsea, who recently appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their full-time boss, will travel to Wigan on the opening day.

Tottenham, who are currently searching for a replacement for sacked Harry Redknapp, have a tough start away to Newcastle.

Newly-promoted duo West Ham and Reading begin with home matches against Aston Villa and Stoke.

Michael Laudrup will make his debut as Swansea manager away to Queens Park Rangers.

And new Norwich manager Chris Hughton takes his side to Fulham for his bow.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has a tough start with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all visiting Anfield in his first five matches.

Arsenal, who are now seven years without a trophy, also have a difficult start with Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea among their first six opponents.

Key dates down the line include the Manchester derby at City on December 8, with the return at Old Trafford on April 6.

The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham takes place at the Emirates on November 17, with the White Hart Lane return on March 2.