PREMIERSHIP new boys West Brom face a baptism of fire after being handed a nightmare start to their first top-flight campaign in 16 years.

Gary Megson's side will open the season on Saturday, August 17 with a desperately difficult trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and will then entertain Leeds at The Hawthorns a week later.

But if the Baggies think things can only get easier after that opening salvo, they then have to travel to Highbury to meet double winners Arsenal three days later in what promises to be the sternest test of their Premiership credentials.

However, West Brom are not the only newcomers handed a tough start.

Local rivals Birmingham visit Arsenal on opening day and then entertain Leeds at St Andrew's on August 31, while runaway Division One champions Manchester City launch their campaign at Elland Road.

The three promoted sides have the pick of the first round of fixtures, although all three are away from home.

Last season's runners-up Liverpool travel to Aston Villa, while fourth-placed Newcastle entertain West Ham.

Third Division Kidderminster Harriers start their new season with a home game against Lincoln City and then go to Bournemouth three days later.