Man United start title defense against West Brom

Manchester United's Premier League title defense will begin with a trip to West Bromwich Albion.

After surpassing Liverpool's record of 18 titles last month, Alex Ferguson's United is chasing a 20th championship crown when the season begins on Aug. 13.

Also on the opening weekend, Chelsea, which was runner-up last season, travels to Stoke, Arsenal is at Newcastle and Liverpool hosts Sunderland.

The first Welsh team in the Premier League, Swansea, opens the 2011-12 season at Manchester City, the big-spending side which has qualified for the Champions League for the first time by finishing third last season.

For the other Premier League newcomers, Queen's Park Rangers opens at home against Bolton and Norwich heads to Wigan.