Today has seen the release of the official Premier League fixture list for the 2013/14 season, it kicks of on 17th August when your team will be showcasing their new kits as well as hoping to start the season with a win.  The top flight of English football was formed in 1992, the twenty top teams play each other twice at home and away, there are therefore 380 games played throughout the season that starts in August and ends in May each year.   Compiling the fixtures list is a complicated task, a computer program compiles an initial list taking into account many factors such as dates to avoid including European competition dates, FA cup match dates.  The list needs to avoid two local teams playing at home on the same day, a balance in frequency of home and away matches and club requests are also taken into account.  After a draft list is compiled it is checked and scrutinised by the Fixtures Working Party that includes representatives from each club, it is then authorised by the Chief of Police Officers and the British Transport Police before it is released.

This new football season does not just see a host of new team kits, but also some significant management changes for many of the clubs, including the first ever season for Manchester United in the Premier League without Sir Alex Ferguson as manager.  The fixture list as always will provide some challenges for many clubs, David Moyes first match in charge at United will see the team having to travel to Swansea City who last season held their own finishing 9th in the table, this could prove to be a tough opening match for the reigning champions.  New Manchester City boss Pellegrini will be beginning his team management with a home game at the Etihad Stadium against Newcastle United who last year finished 16th and only narrowly avoided the relegation zone.  Other top spot contenders Chelsea and Arsenal also open their campaigns on home soil with matches against Hull City and Aston Villa respectively.  Cardiff City who were promoted into top flight football for the first ever time this season play their first game away from home at West Ham United, again this could prove to be tricky start for this newly promoted team.

This season will see some exciting matches with the first Manchester Derby under two new managers in September, the first ever Welsh derby in November, and towards the end of the season returning Chelsea boss Mourinho, and newly appointed United manager David Moyes will return to their old stomping grounds of Liverpool and Everton respectively.  For every team there will be difficult runs of matches particularly once FA cup and European games are added to the mix.  Norwich City, West Ham United and Manchester City all seem to have lucked out with home games as their first and last matches as well as on Boxing day, these teams should have some happy fans today, however supporters of Champions Manchester United may not be so happy as each of these popular games are to be played away this season.

What do you think of the new fixture list for the 2013/14 season?

Show support for your team whether they are at home or away by ordering your Premier League Kits from Soccerbox now.

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