And we take a look back at the Baggies' previous Premier League starts
THIS time next week Albion’s Barclays Premier League fixtures for the 2014/15 season will be out.
And you can discover when and where the Baggies are playing at www.wba.co.uk when the list is released at 9am on Wednesday, June 18.
The big question is: Who will Albion kick-off their fifth successive top-flight season against?
Albion have enjoyed mixed fortunes on the opening day in their eight Barclays Premier League campaigns – after being handed some tough opponents.
But, following last term’s harsh 1-0 home defeat by Southampton through Rickie Lambert’s last-gasp penalty, the Baggies will be hoping for a return to the memorable 3-0 Hawthorns hammering of Liverpool the season before thanks to goals from Zoltan Gera, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku.
After 16 years outside the top division the Baggies’ first game on their return in the 2002/03 season was a trip to Manchester United, which saw captain Derek McInnes sent-off in a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
A 1-1 draw at Blackburn (2004/05), which saw Neil Clement open the scoring from a free-kick, and a goalless stalemate at Manchester City (2005/06) followed.
Albion’s other three seasons among England’s elite pitted them against Champions League regulars, as they lost 1-0 at Arsenal (2008/09), 6-0 at then-champions Chelsea (2010/11), and 2-1 at home to then-champions United (2011/12).
So, who will the Baggies face on the opening day this time around – and will it be home or away?
Be first in the know at www.wba.co.uk.