Portsmouth first up for Scolari's Chelsea

Luiz Felipe Scolari will start life as Chelsea's new manager at home to FA Cup winners Portsmouth after the 2008-09 fixture list was released yesterday.

Manchester United, who pipped Chelsea to the title on the final day last season, begin their title defence on August 16 at home to Newcastle United. Third-placed Arsenal are at home to newly promoted West Bromwich Albion on the opening day while Liverpool travel to Sunderland.

Scolari, who was named as Chelsea's new manager while still involved with Portugal at Euro 2008, will get his chance to test himself against United manager Alex Ferguson when last season's Champions League finalists meet at Stamford Bridge on September 20.

Hull City, who will be playing in the top flight for the first time, face Fulham at home while Stoke City, back among the elite for the first time since 1985, travel to Bolton Wanderers.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will take his new side to Aston Villa, while his former team Blackburn face last season's fifth-placed finishers Everton at Goodison Park.

Liverpool travel to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland, while Middlesbrough host Tottenham at the Riverside Stadium.

The first clash of any 'Big Four' teams will take place on the weekend of September 13, when Manchester United travel to Anfield to play Liverpool.

Meanwhile, an ability to communicate with players has made Scolari confident about his new Premier League career with Chelsea.

"I think I'm a relatively good coach because of all I've done for teams up to now, the results speak for themselves," said Scolari, who steered his native Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002.

"I like a good atmosphere, to feel comfortable anywhere, to establish good working relations," he said.

"I speak English, German, Italian, French," he joked on being asked if he spoke English or when he would start learning it.

"The language of football is only one language, so don't worry, I communicate."

In Scotland, Celtic open up their Premier League defence, also on August 16, with a home game against St Mirren. Walter Smith's Rangers start with a tough away fixture against Falkirk, with the first Old Firm encounter at Celtic Park on August 30.

English Premiership

First day (August 16): Arsenal vs West Brom, Aston Villa vs Man. City; Bolton vs Stoke; Chelsea vs Portsmouth; Everton vs Blackburn; Hull City vs Fulham; Man. United vs Newcastle United, Middlesbrough vs Tottenham; Sunderland vs Liverpool; West Ham vs Wigan Athletic.