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| June 20, 2003 | Friday | Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1424 |
Beckham-less United to kick off against Bolton Wanderers
LONDON, June 19: Manchester United will kick off the defence of their English Premiership title against local rivals Bolton who have won on their last two visits to Old Trafford.
Arsenal also face a tough start to their campaign with Everton the visitors to Highbury.
Bolton only survived in the top flight by beating Middlesbrough on the final day of the season and, ultimately, would have been relegated but for the Kevin Nolan goal which earned them a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sept 11.
The league opener will be United’s first competitive match since they sold Eng-land captain David Beckham to Real Madrid and Reds fans will expect to see at least one new star lining up in his place.
Other highlights of the opening day’s fixtures include Newcastle’s visit to Leeds, which could see Jonathan Woodgate play for the first time at Elland Road since he left the Yorkshire club for the Magpies in January.
Liverpool have the chance to reap immediate revenge on Chelsea for the 2-1 defeat on the last day of the season which meant the Blues progressed into the Champions League at their expense.
The two sides meet at Anfield in their opening fixture.
Division One champions Portsmouth have been handed a home start against Aston Villa, while Leicester’s Walkers Stadium will see Southampton visit.
Wolves, the third promoted team, go to Ewood Park to face Blackburn.
Other fixtures on the opening day see Birmingham host Tottenham, Manchester City go to Charlton and Fulham at home to Middlesbrough.
The first big game of the season sees Manchester United head to St James’ Park on the second weekend, where they roasted Newcastle 6-2 last April.
Arsenal head to Old Trafford, where they lost 2-0 last December, on September 20 with the return fixture set for March 27 next year.
The first Merseyside derby of the season is on Aug 30 at Everton’s Goodison Park with the return match at Anfield on Jan 31.
Liverpool will host Man Utd on Nov 1 and travel to Old Trafford on April 24.
The first Manchester derby will be at Old Trafford on Dec 13 with Manchester City’s new City of Manchester stadium playing host to its first clash on March 13.
English Premier League odds
LONDON: Latest odds for the 2003-2004 English Premier League season offered by British bookmaker on Thursday after the announcement of the fixture list:
Evens Manchester United
13-8 Arsenal
7-1 Liverpool
9-1 Newcastle United
14-1 Chelsea
100-1 Blackburn Rovers, Everton
125-1 Leeds United, Middlesboro
150-1 Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur
250-1 Aston Villa
500-1 Fulham, Southampton, Birmingham City
750-1 Charlton Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers
1,000-1 Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth
2,000-1 Leicester City—AFP/ Reuters
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