It's Big Sam v Little Sam to kick off the Premier League season

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Allardyce left the Trotters following eight largely successful years at the Reebok Stadium in late April, but was soon back in football when he was installed at St James' Park three weeks later.

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This way to glory: Sam Allardyce at St James' Park

In other fixtures, which were released this morning, champions Manchester United will open the defence of their crown at home to Reading, the surprise side of the last campaign.

Newly-promoted Birmingham will travel to FA Cup winners Chelsea, while the 2007 Coca-Cola Championship winners Sunderland host UEFA Cup hopefuls Tottenham.

Derby's reward for winning the play-off final at Wembley is a home date with Portsmouth in their first Premier League match since 2002.

West Ham - who controversially beat the drop last season thanks largely to the goals of Argentina striker Carlos Tevez - will kick off the new campaign in the top flight against Manchester City at Upton Park.

Elsewhere, Arsenal host Fulham, Wigan travel to Everton, and Middlesbrough will be at home to Blackburn, while Champions League finalists Liverpool are away at Aston Villa - with both clubs now under American ownership.

Other notable fixtures falling in the first weeks of the new Premier League campaign see Chelsea at Anfield on August 18, with the Manchester derby at Eastlands also scheduled for that weekend.

The initial fixtures are all, however, subject to change because of a new £1.7billion television deal, which this season will see some 46 matches shown live on Setanta Sports as well as satellite broadcaster Sky.