The opening day results suggest a stormy path for ‘Arry

As the folks at Match of the Day kept stressing, it’s very difficult to tell how a team will fare in the coming season based on the opening matches. However, the chaps at chickendinner have donned their lab coats and booted up the huge science computer, and it looks like Portsmouth may not be enjoy another top eight finish this season..

» Portsmouth were bottom after one game in 2005-06 and ended up finishing just above the relegation zone in 17th.

» West Ham were relegated after starting the season with a 4-0 loss in 2002-03. Also, in the

It’s time to start looking forward to football again

On what the BBC are dubbing ‘one of the the most eagerly awaited days on the domestic calendar’, the FA have announced the next season’s fixtures. Aside from King Kev’s visit to Old Trafford, there’s not much happening on the opening weekend:

Opening weekend fixtures - Saturday, 16 August

Arsenal/ West Brom
Aston Villa/ Man City
Bolton/ Stoke
Chelsea/ Portsmouth
Everton/ Blackburn
Hull/ Fulham
Man Utd/ Newcastle
Middlesbrough/ Tottenham
Sunderland/ Liverpool
West Ham/ Wigan

Also, there are no games scheduled between 28th December and 10th January - surely they haven’t done away with the New Year fixtures?

See the full 2008/09 fixture list here.