Fans of top-flight English football can mark their calendars.

On its website Monday, the English Premier League released their initial schedule for the upcoming 2012-13 season, which will open on the weekend of August 18, 2012. However, the schedule may be altered due to tv broadcast privileges, the first batch of which will be determined by July 13 for fixtures up to November 30.

The opening weekend will feature newly-minted champions Manchester City host newly-promoted Southampton at the Ettihad Stadium. The other two teams promoted from the Championship, Reading and West Ham, will be at home for their matches against Stoke City and Aston Villa, respectively.

Runners-up Manchester United will be facing Everton to kick off their season. The two teams engaged in a memorable 4-4 draw that some have considered it to be one of the best matches of the just concluded season. Newcastle and Tottenham, who were involved with Arsenal in the chase for the remaining two spots in the Champions League, will be facing off at the place formerly known as St. James' Park. The Gunners, on the other hand, will be facing Sunderland at the Emirates.

As for Chelsea, the UEFA Champions League winners will travel to Wigan to begin their season. But before that, they will face Manchester City on August 12 at Villa Park for the FA Community Shield, traditionally viewed as the curtain-raiser of the English football season.

The complete list of fixtures for the 2012-13 season can be verified here.