PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES: Chelsea kick off title defence at the Bridge, United vs Spurs pick of openers and Rodgers' hellish start

Chelsea will kick off their Premier League title defence against Swansea City but it will be Brendan Rodgers who has most to fear on the opening day of the 2015-16 season with Liverpool facing a nightmare return to Stoke City.

Liverpool face an immediate return to the Britannia Stadium, the scene of their 6-1 humiliation on the final day of last season. And things will get no easier for Rodgers, who faces trips to Arsenal and Manchester United within the first five games of the new season followed by Everton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City in his next away matches.

United host Tottenham Hotspur in the most mouthwatering fixture of the opening round on August 8 - but which team Harry Kane will play for is not yet certain given Louis van Gaal's interest in the young Spurs striker.

The Dutch boss will not have long to wait for the biggest game in English football, when Liverpool visit Old Trafford on September 12. United's trip to Anfield is scheduled for January 16. 

Jose Mourinho should be happy with his opening day clash but things soon heat up with the reigning champions facing a daunting visit to Manchester City in their second fixture on August 15. 

Bournemouth will open their first ever season in the top flight of English football by welcoming Aston Villa to the Goldsands Stadium.

OPENING DAY FIXTURES

AUGUST 8: 

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Arsenal vs West Ham United

Chelsea vs Swansea City

Everton vs Watford

Leicester City vs Sunderland

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United vs Southampton

Norwich City vs Crystal Palace

Stoke City vs Liverpool

West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City

But Eddie Howe's men face a potentially intriguing final day visit to Old Trafford, where all could be to play for at both ends of the table.

Of the other newly-promoted teams, Watford start their campaign at Everton while play-off winners Norwich host Crystal Palace.

West Ham's last ever league match at Upton Park will be against Swansea on May 7, with the club set to move home to the Olympic Stadium next season.

FA Cup winners Arsenal start their campaign for a first title in 11 years at home against West Ham, but Arsene Wenger will soon face the toughest test of his season with a visit to Chelsea, where his nemesis Mourinho awaits, on September 19.

Those eager to see Mourinho clash with Van Gaal will have to wait until December 28 when United host Chelsea for the first time, while the old friends and rivals will meet again at Stamford Bridge on February 6. 

FINAL DAY FIXTURES

MAY 15: 

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Chelsea vs Leicester City

Everton vs Norwich City

Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Stoke City vs West Ham United

Swansea City vs Manchester City

Watford vs Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool 

The first Manchester derby of the season comes at Old Trafford on October 24 with the return at the Etihad Stadium pencilled in for March 19.

Liverpool travel to Goodison Park for the Merseyside derby on October 3, while Roberto Martinez takes his side to Anfield on February 27.

The first north London derby is scheduled for the Emirates Stadium on November 7 while Tottenham host their fierce rivals on March 5.

Steve McClaren's opening league match in charge of Newcastle comes at St James' Park against Southampton and his first experience of a Tyne-Wear derby will be at the Stadium of Light on October 24.

All fixtures subject to change once live TV schedule has been finalised.