• Premier League

Friendly fire for Premier League's big six

Samir Nasri gives the Dundee defence a pre-season workout © PA Photos

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World Cup? What World Cup? As much fun as the festival of football was in Brazil, Germany's triumph, the hosts' humiliation and England's predictable early exit is already fading in the memories of fans who can't wait for the Premier League to kick off.

Well, they haven't had to wait long for a taste of what is to come as the Premier League clubs hoping to fight for a top four place begin their preparations - long before the season proper starts on August 16.

It is a time for managers to experiment, give new players time to adapt and, in Manchester United's case, for the squad to try to prove their worth to the new boss. Dedicated fans will have to stay up through the night in some cases to watch their sides (if they can find a broadcast) in action in the United States, the country Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all have on their schedules. Chelsea, touring in Europe, have stayed closer to home for once.

New stars could be born and a rough form guide for the start of the season guessed at as fitness is improved. New signings will also be shown off at some point and, for followers of six of the heavyweights looking for a Premier League fix, here are their pre-season programmes:

Arsenal
July 19 v Boreham Wood (won 2-0)
July 26 v New York Red Bulls (lost 1-0)
August 2 v Benfica (won 5-1)
August 3 v Monaco (lost 1-0)

Chelsea
July 16 v Wycombe Wanderers (won 5-0)
July 19 v AFC Wimbledon (won 3-2)
July 23 v RZ Pellets (Drew 1-1)
July 27 v NK Olimpija Ljubljana (won 2-1)
July 30 v Vitesse Arnhem (won 3-1)
August 3 v Werder Bremen (lost 3-0)
August 10 v Ferencvaros
August 12 v Real Sociedad

Liverpool
July 16 v Brondby (lost 2-1)
July 19 v Preston (won 2-1)
July 24 v Roma (lost 1-0)
July 27 v Olympiakos (won 1-0)
July 30 v Man City (won 3-1 on penalties after 2-2 draw)
August 2 v AC Milan (won 2-0)
August 5 v Manchester United (lost 3-1)
August 10 v Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City
July 13 v Dundee (lost 2-0)
July 18 v Hearts (won 2-1)
July 23 v Sporting Kansas City (won 4-1)
July 27 v AC Milan (won 5-1)
July 30 v Liverpool (lost 3-1 on penalties after 2-2 draw)
August 2 v Olympiakos (lost 5-4 on penalties after 2-2 draw)

Manchester United
July 24 v LA Galaxy (won 7-0)
July 26 v Roma (won 3-2)
July 30 v Inter Milan (won 5-3 on penalties after 0-0 draw)
August 2 v Real Madrid (won 3-1)
August 5 v Liverpool (won 3-1)
August 12 v Valencia (First match for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford)

Tottenham
July 19 v Seattle (drew 3-3)
July 24 v Toronto (won 3-2)
July 26 v Chicago Fire (won 2-0)
August 2 v Celtic (won 6-1)
August 9 v Schalke

* All fixtures correct according to the clubs' official websites

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