United face Bolton in Premiership opener

Manchester United will open the defence of their Premiership title with a home fixture against Bolton in August.

Manchester United will open the defence of their Premiership title with a home fixture against Bolton in August.

The champions will hope they don't trip-up for a third time in succession as the Trotters have won this fixture for each of the past two seasons and inflicted United's only home defeat during the last campaign.

Runners-up Arsenal begin their season at Highbury with a difficult encounter against Everton, while two of the newly promoted teams commence at home.

Harry Redknapp's Division One champions Portsmouth host Aston Villa at Fratton Park, while defeated FA Cup finalists Southampton visit Leicester at the Walkers Stadium, and Wolves travel to Blackburn.

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The fixture of the opening weekend is undoubtedly the heavyweight clash between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.

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

Manchester United and Arsenal, who have won the last eight Premiership titles between them, meet at Old Traffford on September 22nd, with the return at Highbury on March 27th.

Opening day fixtures
Saturday, 16th 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