Premier League climax will be played out after FA Cup final

The FA Cup final will be played on May 14, with the final matches of the Premier League season eight days later on May 22.

The FA Cup final is traditionally the climax to the season but Wembley is hosting the Champions League final on May 28 which means there is no option but to stage it before the end of the league campaign.

It is not the first time the Premier League season has ended after the FA Cup final – it did so both in 2001 and 2002.

Double-winners Chelsea begin their defence of the title with a home match against promoted West Bromwich.

The match on August 14 means a return to Stamford Bridge for former Blues midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, now manager of Albion.

Whoever becomes the new Liverpool manager will have one of the toughest of baptisms with a home match against Arsenal, while Tottenham and Manchester City meet at White Hart Lane.

Manchester United, runners-up in 2009-10, also start with a home match against a promoted team – Sir Alex Ferguson's side take on Newcastle.

The fixtures computer has Ferguson's side facing Arsenal and Chelsea on consecutive weekends twice next season – on December 11 (Arsenal at Old Trafford) and 18 (Chelsea away) and then April 30 (Arsenal away) and May 7 (Chelsea at home).

In other opening weekend games, Aston Villa face West Ham and Everton travel to Blackburn, while Blackpool's first match in the Premier League is at home to local rivals Wigan.

Elsewhere, Steve Bruce's Sunderland are at home to Birmingham, one of the clubs he previously managed.

Bruce said: "We had two competitive games against them last season and I am sure the first day of the season will be no different.

"It will be nice to begin the season at home after being away last year."

Wolves and Stoke meet at Molineux, while Bolton entertain Europa League runners-up Fulham.

There are no encounters between the likely title challengers on the last day of the season – Chelsea are at Everton, Blackpool are United's opposition at Old Trafford, Arsenal are at Fulham, Manchester City travel to Bolton, Tottenham are at home to Birmingham and Liverpool are at Aston Villa.

Of their opening day trip to Old Trafford, Newcastle chief Chris Hughton said: "It's a tough start for us. We would have preferred a home game to kick the season off but you take what you get.

"We can take heart and confidence from the 1-1 draw we earned at Old Trafford two years ago on the opening day of the 2008-09 season."

Ferguson has often been concerned about the Premier League games his side are given after Champions League matches.

However, his team compare favourably to Chelsea this season, with United having four home games and two away after midweek European action, while four of Chelsea's six are on the road – including trips to Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.

Sunderland are United's Boxing Day opponents at Old Trafford.

Seasiders manager Ian Holloway said of their last-day trip to Old Trafford: "That will be nice if we could celebrate staying up.

"I am sure Sir Alex (Ferguson) has already sent me a letter telling me to bring some good red wine."

Blackpool, who booked their place in the Premier League with victory over Cardiff in the Championship play-off final, are rewarded with a home start and Holloway added: "It is nice to kick off with a home game and with Wigan up the road it will be nice for us."

On the trip to north London to face Arsene Wenger's men, he added: "That's fantastic, that's exactly what I wanted. It will be a new experience for all of us going to the Emirates.

"Hopefully, all the butterflies will be out of the way and we can see what we can do."