Premiership fixtures

Can Man Utd defend their title? All the 2003/4 fixtures

Manchester United will seek to avoid an unwanted hat-trick when they open the defence of their Premiership title with a home fixture against Bolton.

The Trotters have won at Old Trafford for each of the past two seasons, Kevin Nolan's solitary goal inflicting United's only home defeat last term.

Last season's runners-up Arsenal also start with some home comfort as they launch their bid to regain the title with a Highbury date against Everton.

The match gives Everton prodigy Wayne Rooney the chance to continue his goalscoring form against the Gunners.

The 17-year-old scored a spectacular last-minute winner at Goodison Park last season and also found the net in the return fixture.

Two of the three promoted sides also start in familiar surroundings.

The Premiership is the only place to be and the first game is a bit of history for the club Wolves boss Dave Jones More reaction to Premiership fixtures

Division One champions Portsmouth welcome Aston Villa to Fratton Park, giving Paul Merson an early chance to get reacquainted with some former team-mates.

Defeated FA Cup finalists Southampton are the visitors to Leicester's Walkers Stadium, while fellow newcomers Wolves travel to Blackburn.

There is an early heavyweight clash at Anfield, where Liverpool meet Chelsea, the side that beat them to a Champions League spot on the final day of last season.

England's other Champions League entrant, Newcastle, face a testing opening fixture away at Leeds.

Bobby Robson's side provide the champions with another early test at St James' Park in the second round of fixtures.

Manchester United and Arsenal, who have won the last eight Premiership titles between them, meet at Old Traffford on 20 September, with the return at Highbury on 27 March.

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Opening day fixtures
Saturday, 16 August 2003

Arsenal v Everton
Birmingham v Tottenham
Blackburn v Wolves
Charlton v Manchester City
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Leeds v Newcastle
Leicester v Southampton
Liverpool v Chelsea
Manchester United v Bolton
Portsmouth v Aston Villa