In the 2007/2008 fixtures published yesterday the big two will meet at Old Trafford on September 22 but the return game is due to take place only three games from the end of the season.

Last season the Chelsea vs Manchester United game was scheduled for the April 15-weekend of the FA Cup semi-finals then, unsurprisingly, had to be re-arranged when both clubs made it to the last four.

The game was eventually played in the final week of the league season and became a goalless dead rubber between two weakened teams as United had wrapped up the title the week before.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was frustrated by the situation, saying at the time: "The Premier League is the best in the world and it can't afford this kind of mistake.

"It's very, very bad. This is the game that every football fan around the world should be eating by TV but I think they changed for a soap or something more interesting."

United will begin the defence of their league title with a home match against Reading on August 11, followed by a midweek trip to Portsmouth and then the derby away to Manchester City on August 18.

Chelsea also begin at home, against promoted Birmingham City, when they have the chance to beat Liverpool's top-flight record of 63 home games unbeaten.

They then visit Reading and Liverpool, the team who beat them in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Liverpool, seeking their first title since 1990, travel to Aston Villa on the first day while Arsenal are at home to Fulham.

Sunderland, promoted as division one champions, are at home to Tottenham Hotspur, while Derby County, back in the top flight for the first time since 2002, are at home to Portsmouth.

Newcastle United, under new manager Sam Allardyce, travel to the club he left to join them, Bolton.

All the dates issued yesterday are subject to re-arrangement after the selection of TV matches.