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Testing start for Premier League champions Manchester City
CHAMPIONS Manchester City have been handed a daunting start to their Premier League title defence - facing the three teams who finished behind them in their first five games of the season.
After opening the season with a trip to Newcastle, City take on last season's runners-up Liverpool in their first home game, then visit fourth-placed Arsenal before entertaining third-placed Chelsea at the Etihad.
Louis Van Gaal faces what looks, on paper at least, a comfortable baptism in his first five games in charge of Manchester United, who will take on the three clubs promoted from the Championship - Burnley, Leicester and QPR - as well as Swansea and Sunderland.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche, nicknamed the "Ginger Mourinho", comes face-to-face with the real thing when Chelsea visit Turf Moor on the opening day, while Liverpool new boy Rickie Lambert will relish a quick reunion with his old Southampton mates who travel to Anfield.
Manuel Pochettino has a London derby in his first game in charge of Tottenham, who make the short trip to West Ham.