Manchester City begin the defense of their English Premier League title with a home fixture against newly-promoted Southampton at the Etihad stadium on August 18.

City, which won the title on goal difference over Manchester United on a dramatic final day, have a relatively easy opening run in against Nigel Adkins coached Southampton.

United start their campaign with a tricky away fixture against Everton before inviting Fulham to Old Trafford the following week.

Arsenal, which finished in third last season, host Sunderland on the opening weekend, before facing road trips to Stoke City and Liverpool.

Roberto Di Matteo begins his quest for a Premier League title with Chelsea when they visit Wigan. The Blues then host Newcastle United the following weekend.

Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, which finished fifth and fourth respectively, take on each other on the opening weekend's most intriguing clash.

Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool travel to West Brom, with home clashes against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City to follow.

The other key clashes in the season will see the first Manchester Derby on December 8 at the Etihad stadium, with the return fixture at Old Trafford on April 6.

The North London Derby will see Arsenal host Tottenham on November 17, before they battle again at White Hart Lane on March 2.

Opening weekend fixtures: Arsenal v Sunderland; Everton v Manchester United; Fulham v Norwich; Manchester City v Sunderland; Newcastle v Tottenham; QPR v Swansea; Reading v Stoke; West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool; West Ham v Aston Villa; Wigan v Chelsea. 

Full Fixture List: https://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/barclays-premier-league-2012-13-fixtures-day.html