Tough start for Blues and Sam
14 Jun 2007 - 10:08:24
Birmingham City will kick-off their Premier League campaign with a daunting trip to Chelsea on the opening day of the new season, while Sam Allardyce faces an immediate return to Bolton Wanderers with new club Newcastle United.
Birmingham secured an immediate return to English football's top table after finishing second to Sunderland in the Championship last season.
However, their opening fixture pits them against last year's runners-up at Stamford Bridge where they haven't won since an old Division Two fixture in 1980.
Meanwhile, Allardyce's Newcastle travel to the Reebok Stadium where the Magpies boss is bound to receive a hostile welcome.
Allardyce left Bolton with two games to go last season citing the need for a fresh challenge and transfer speculation linking him with a number of former players has already upset Trotters fans.
Elsewhere, Championship winners Sunderland open their campaign with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur to the Stadium of Light.
Roy Keane's side will host last year's UEFA Cup quarter-finalists in what is guaranteed to be a 48,000 sell out on Wearside.
The match will also pit Keane and chairman Niall Quinn against former Republic of Ireland international team-mate Robbie Keane.
Fellow Premier League new-boys Derby County have been handed a home clash with Portsmouth.
The Rams secured their own return to the top-flight after a five-year absence by defeating West Brom in May's Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester United will host last year's surprise package Reading at Old Trafford.
Arsenal take on Fulham at the Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa lock horns with Liverpool at Villa Park, Everton welcome near neighbours Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers travel to Middlesbrough and finally West Ham United host Manchester City at Upton Park.
The first round of Premier League fixtures will take place on August 11.
