The Premier League champions will open their title defence against Birmingham City.
The Premier League champions will open their title defence against Birmingham City.

United open season against Birmingham



Premier League champions Manchester United will start their bid for a record fourth successive English title at home to newly-promoted Birmingham on Aug 15. Sir Alex Ferguson's team discovered their fixtures for the 2009-10 season today and the three-time champions follow the Birmingham clash with a trip to Burnley, who were promoted via the Championship play-offs. Manchester City travel to Blackburn on the opening day before hosting Everton at Eastlands on Aug 19.

Carlo Ancelotti begins his reign at Chelsea at home to Hull, while Liverpool travel to Tottenham on the opening weekend and Arsenal face a trip to Everton. The Championship winners Wolves play West Ham at Molineux and Burnley visit Stoke on their return to the top flight. The new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez starts his reign at Aston Villa, while Bolton are at home to Steve Bruce's Sunderland and Portsmouth meet Fulham at Fratton Park.

United have to wait until the end of Aug before their first match against one of the top four clubs as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Aug 29, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium on Jan 30. The Champions League runners-up visit Anfield to play Liverpool on Oct 24 and Rafa Benitez's team travel to Old Trafford on March 20. Chelsea are the last of the other top four sides to face United as the new manager Ancelotti's side are at home to the champions on Nov 7, with the return fixture on April 3.

Liverpool end their season with an away fixture against Hull on May 9. Benitez's team visit Stamford Bridge on October 3 and play host to last season's third-placed team on May 1. Rafael Benitez's side are at home to Arsenal on Dec 12 and visit the Gunners on Feb 9. Ancelotti's first season finishes at home to Wigan on May 9. Chelsea are away to Arsenal on Nov 28 and at home to the Gunners on Feb 6.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal close the season with a home fixture against Fulham. Wolves fans will be looking forward to a Dec 15 trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United and a home fixture against the champions on March 6. For the full Premier League fixture list click here.

Aston Villa v Wigan Blackburn v Man City Bolton v Sunderland Chelsea v Hull Everton v Arsenal Man Utd v Birmingham Portsmouth v Fulham Stoke v Burnley Tottenham v Liverpool Wolves v West Ham * AFP

Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
Tell Me Who I Am

Director: Ed Perkins

Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis

Four stars

While you're here
Neil Thomson – THE BIO

Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.

Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.

Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.

Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.

Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.

Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.

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Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier

Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman

UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Upcoming games

SUNDAY 

Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)

 

MONDAY 
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)


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