2013/14 EPL: Man U To Begin Title Defense At Swansea

Barclays Premier League champions, Manchester United will start the 2013-14 season at League Cup winners, Swansea.

New manager, David Moyes takes his team to south Wales on 17 August, before the returning Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea visit to Old Trafford the following weekend.

A match at Liverpool follows for United on 31 August.

Mourinho’s men kick off their campaign with a match against newly-promoted Hull at Stamford Bridge, while there are also home games for fellow Champions League hopefuls, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Manuel Pellegrini’s reign as City boss starts with a home match against Newcastle, who confirmed Joe Kinnear as their Director of football Tuesday. Arsenal are at home to Aston Villa.

The north-London clash is the start of a testing opening to the season for Villa, who have a home match against Liverpool and a trip to Chelsea in their following two games.

Crystal Palace’s first game back in the top flight is against Tottenham at Selhurst Park. Cardiff, who are Championship winners last season start their campaign at West Ham then have home games against Manchester City and Everton.

Roberto Martinez’s first competitive match as Everton manager is at Norwich, while Merseyside rivals, Liverpool start with a home game against Mark Hughes’ Stoke.

Elsewhere, Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland start with a home match against Fulham, while West Brom face Southampton at the Hawthorns.

Hull’s fans will relish their festive programme, with Manchester United heading to the KC Stadium on Boxing Day, while Manchester City against Liverpool is another tasty-looking 26 December encounter.

The season wraps up on 11 May, with three of the expected title chasers finishing on the road. Chelsea head to Cardiff, Manchester United go to Southampton and Arsenal are at Norwich, with Manchester City at home to West Ham.