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Leicester begin title defence at promoted Hull City

Leicester begin title defence at promoted Hull City

By REUTERS

Britain Soccer Football - Leicester City v Everton - Barclays Premier League - King Power Stadium - 7/5/16nLeicester City manager Claudio Ranieri with the trophy as he celebrates winning the Barclays Premier League.nPhoto: Reuters/File

Champions Leicester City will begin their Premier League title defence with a trip to newly promoted Hull City on Aug. 13, according to the 2016-17 fixtures released on Wednesday. Claudio Ranieri's side face a tricky opening period in the new season, as they host Arsenal on Aug. 20, before away trips to Liverpool and Manchester United during their first six fixtures. Last season's runners-up Arsenal host Juergen Klopp's Liverpool on the opening day, while newly appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho starts his tenure with a trip to Bournemouth. Pep Guardiola will make his league debut as Manchester City manager when his team host Sunderland, who narrowly avoided relegation last season. Guardiola and Mourinho will renew their rivalry in the highly anticipated first Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sept. 10. Antonio Conte will begin his managerial career at Chelsea with a feisty London derby against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge, while Slaven Bilic's menbegin a new era at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 20 against Bournemouth. Mourinho will return to his old stomping grounds when Chelsea host Manchester United on Oct. 22, a week after the Portuguese's former club host Leicester City. Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur begin their league challenge against Everton, who named Ronald Koeman as their manager on Tuesday. Arsenal will host Spurs in the first north London derby on Nov. 5 while the other eagerly anticipated derby clash, between Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton, takes place at Goodison Park on Dec. 17. Burnley will mark their return to England's top-flight by welcoming Swansea City, while Middlesbrough host Stoke City. Full list of opening day fixtures on August 13: Arsenal v Liverpool Bournemouth v Manchester United Burnley v Swansea City Chelsea v West Ham United Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion Everton v Tottenham Hotspur Hull City v Leicester City Manchester City v Sunderland Middlesbrough v Stoke City Southampton v Watford