Manchester City start Premier League title defence at Arsenal

Pep Guardiola's men take on Unai Emery's men, while Manchester United and Liverpool have respective home games against Leicester City and West Ham United

Manchester City head into the 2018/9 Premier League season as defending champions and favourites for the title. Reuters

Manchester City will begin their bid to be the first side since 2009 to retain the Premier League title with an away game at Arsenal on the opening weekend of the 2018/19 season between August 10-13.

Pep Guardiola's men are the first opponents for Unai Emery as Arsenal manager, who took over in charge from Arsene Wenger.

City's first home game is against Huddersfield Town on the August 18/19 weekend.

Noteworthy early fixtures for City are a trip to Liverpool on October 6 weekend, with the first Manchester derby against United taking place at the Etihad Stadium on November 10.

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United start their title challenge at home to Leicester City, while Uefa Champions League finalists Liverpool begin their bid for a first championship since 1990 with a game against West Ham United at Anfield.

An away trip to Newcastle United is Tottenham Hotspur's first game for a second successive season, while Chelsea travel to Huddersfield.

Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers begin life back in the top flight at home to Everton. Cardiff City are at Bournemouth and the other newly promoted side Fulham have a London derby against Crystal Palace.

Javier Gracia's Watford begin their fourth successive season in England's top flight against Brighton and Hove Albion, while the weekend's other opening game sees Southampton play host to Burnley.

___________________________

Read more

World Cup 2018: Guides, predictions, podcasts, galleries and where to watch in UAE

Mid-season break from 2019-20 for the Premier League confirmed

Pep Guardiola: Manchester City must keep winning to achieve greatness

___________________________