Everton will begin their Premier League 2 title defence with a trip to West Ham United on Friday 11 August, following the announcement of the Division 1 and Division 2 fixtures on Thursday.
David Unsworth’s side lifted the Division 1 trophy in front of more than 17,000 fans at Goodison Park in May, while West Ham clinched promotion to the top tier with a play-off final win at Newcastle United.
Also on Friday 11 August, Division 2 champions Swansea City host Liverpool, third in last season’s Division 1, while Manchester City face Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium and Sunderland entertain Tottenham Hotspur.
Division 2’s first match takes place on the same night as Middlesbrough travel to 206/17 play-off semi-finalists Fulham.
Matchweek 1 fixtures
Friday 11 August
Division 1
Manchester City v Chelsea, 7.05pm, Etihad Stadium
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur, 7pm, Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Swansea City v Liverpool, 7pm, Landore Training Centre
West Ham United v Everton, 7pm, Dagenham & Redbridge FC
Division 2
Fulham v Middlesbrough, 2pm, Fulham FC Training Ground
Saturday 12 August
Division 2
Stoke City v Newcastle United, 2pm, TBC
Monday 14 August
Division 1
Derby County v Arsenal, 7pm, St George’s Park
Leicester City v Manchester United, 1pm, Training Ground, Leicester
Division 2
Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion, 7pm, Bescot Stadium
Blackburn Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 7pm, Ewood Park
Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion, 2pm, Colney Training Centre
Southampton v Reading, 7pm, St Mary’s Stadium
