Early bragging rights up for grabs as Premier League begins

The big two - with respect to Arsenal and Liverpool - are not in action until Sunday, so Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez will be instilling in the sides the importance of making a good start to the new season if they are to compete for honours.

 Champions United open the defence of their title at home to Newcastle United, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson still searching for a new striker.

 Reports in Thursday's newspapers claim that Ferguson could have Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov in his side by Sunday, but if not, he will have to shuffle his pack in the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and the likely absence of Wayne Rooney.

 Carlos Tevez is set to be partnered by veteran Ryan Giggs, if Berbatov is not a United player by then, and United captain Gary Neville, back in the side after a year out through injury, knows it is going to be a tough start to what could be a tough season.

 "There was such a close gap between us and Chelsea last season. It's a little bit of luck and we know it's going to be difficult this season to win the league," Neville said.

 "We've got a good level of experience and maturity in the team. Maintaining that and performing consistently is the goal. We can win more.

 "We can improve. There are always things we can improve on. That's the challenge. We can stretch our lead at the top, but the main thing is being in contention going into the final two months."

   United pipped Chelsea to the title on the last day of last season and the London side believe they have what it takes to get their crown back, having seen United lift the title in each of the past two years.

 With Deco and Jose Bosingwa having been brought in by new coach Luis Felipe Scolari, and Frank Lampard signed on for the rest of his top-flight career, things look good at Stamford Bridge and captain John Terry has been talking up their chances.

 "Sir Alex realises we weren't too far away from them at the very top of their game," Terry said of Ferguson's slightly disparaging comments about Chelsea earlier in the summer. "I don't think they've got another level to go to.

 "Take nothing away from United, they've been fantastic. But they have a lot of players in their team who have hit peak form in the last two years. Every year we're going to give them a good go for their money. We're no longer a nearly team."

   Terry and his team will also have to wait until Sunday to get their first taste of the Premier League this season and their opener is not an easy one, at home to Portsmouth, who have spent some money in the transfer market this summer, notably in bringing striker Peter Crouch from Liverpool.

 Arsenal and Liverpool go into their opening matches with one competitive game already each under their belts, having played Champions League qualifiers on Wednesday.

 Arsenal, winners over Twente Enschede in Holland, take on newcomers West Bromwich Albion, while Liverpool, held by Belgian champions Standard Liege, are away to Roy Keane's Sunderland.

 Big-spending Tottenham Hotspur, for whom Luka Modric is sure to be one of the stars of the league, open away to Middlesbrough, while new boys Stoke City are away to Bolton Wanderers, and the other promoted club, Hull City, face Fulham.

 Everton begin their campaign against Blackburn Rovers, while West Ham United play Wigan Athletic and then on Sunday, Aston Villa, another of the bigger spenders, meet Manchester City, for whom Mark Hughes is the new manager.//dpa