There won’t be any heavyweight clash in the opening fixtures of the 2017/18 Premier League season.
That’s because no top six teams from last season were drawn against each other according to the official schedule released by the FA on Wednesday.
Instead, the top guns were split amongst mid-table and newly promoted teams.
Champions, Chelsea, welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge while runner-up, Tottenham, face a tricky trip to the Sports Direct Arena to face newly promoted Newcastle United.
Newbies, Brighton and Hove Albion, will roll out the red carpet for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City with neighbours Manchester United paired alongside West Ham United.
Fresh from booking a Champions League spot, Liverpool will be aiming for a much better season, starting with a visit to Watford.
Arsene Wenger, who failed to guide Arsenal to their cherished top-four Premier League finish last season, thereby missing out on Champions League for the first time in 20 years at the end of last season, must justify his new contract when 2016 champions, Leicester City, come calling at the Emirates.
OPENING DAY FIXTURES
Arsenal v Leicester City
Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester City
Chelsea v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town
Everton v Stoke City
Manchester United v West Ham United
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Swansea City
Watford v Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Bournemouth
