Erling Haaland is poised to make his English Premier League debut in an away fixture against West Ham as Manchester City embarks on its title defense at the Olympic Stadium. The 2022-23 season schedule, unveiled on Thursday, reveals Liverpool, a strong contender for the title alongside City, starting their campaign away against promoted team Fulham. City’s first match takes place a day later, with the much-anticipated clash against Liverpool set for mid-October at Anfield, following City’s hosting of Manchester United two weeks prior.

Haaland, the standout signing of the offseason from Borussia Dortmund, is expected to play his inaugural competitive home game for City against Bournemouth in the second round. Nottingham Forest, promoted via the Championship playoffs, will mark its return to the league after 1999 with an opening match against Newcastle.

The season kicks off on August 5, with Arsenal traveling to Crystal Palace in the opening game. A hiatus is scheduled from the weekend of November 12-13 until December 26 due to the World Cup.