Fixtures for 2011-12 EPL season announced

London: The fixtures for the 2011-12 season have been announced, and it appears that Liverpool new boy Jordan Henderson is set to face his former club Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

Elsewhere, Manchester United begin their title defence with a trip to play West Bromwich Albion on August 13, while Arsenal travel northward to take on Newcastle United at St James' Park. At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur host Everton, while Manchester City have the relative comfort of hosting newcomers Swansea City at Eastlands.

The Gunners are presented with a clash against Liverpool at home in the second week and take on United at Old Trafford right after the game against Kenny Dalglish's men.

The other north London club, Tottenham Hotspur, also have a similar start to the season, as their campaign's first three fixtures are Everton at home, United away and then Man City at home.

The Red Devils have an important set of fixtures in October, when they first lock horns with fierce rivals Liverpool on October 15, with the Manchester derby up next on Oct 22, and a trip to Goodison Park on Oct 29.

The first north London derby is scheduled to take place on October 1 at White Hart Lane, with the first Merseyside derby also taking place the same weekend. As for the battle for supremacy in Manchester, the first meeting between the two sides - in the league - is set to take place on October 22 at Old Trafford.

Boxing Day sees a London derby taking place between Chelsea and Fulham, while new arrivals Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers lock horns at the Liberty Stadium.

Potential title tilters in the form of a clash between Chelsea and Liverpool takes place at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate game of the season, while the Manchester derby takes place at Eastlands a week before.

Finally, Arsenal end their campaign on May 13 with a trip to West Brom, while Chelsea finish against Blackburn Rovers at home. Manchester City take on QPR while their arch-rivals United end their title defence against Sunderland away, with Liverpool also set to finish away to Swansea.

As for Spurs, they host the Cottagers in an all-London clash on the final day of the season.