Spurs kick off the new Barclays Premier League campaign against Everton at White Hart Lane on August 13, and then face both Manchester clubs - champions United away and City at home - in successive weekends before the international break in early September.

With a Europa League play-off also in the mix and fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal also on the horizon soon after, Redknapp admitted on www.tottenhamhotspur.com: "That's one of the toughest starts I've had in all my years as a manager.

"Everton are a strong side and always difficult to beat, United at Old Trafford is as tough as it gets and then City at home makes for a difficult start.

"But they are all great games to look forward to, big homes games especially in front of a packed White Hart Lane. They are all exciting games."

United will start the defence of their title with a trip to West Brom before consecutive games at Old Trafford against Spurs and Arsenal. The champions round off their campaign at Sunderland on May 13.

Arsenal start with a match at Newcastle, whose boss Alan Pardew told his club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk: "What a fantastic start for us - Arsenal at St James' Park.

"No doubt people will hark back to the 4-4 draw last February, and rightly so. It's undoubtedly one of the best games of the opening weekend."

Chelsea, last season's runners-up, travel to Stoke on the opening day, before taking on West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool start their campaign at home to Sunderland, meaning Reds midfielder Jordan Henderson will get an immediate match against the team he supported and played for, prior to his recent big-money move to Anfield.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a massive test early on. It's nice to have a home game first.

"It's important to hit the ground running if you want to compete for the title. You can't afford any slip-ups early on."

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: "Anfield is always a tough place to go, but we have acquitted ourselves well against the big boys in the past and going there is a test I will relish."

The Black Cats' opening home match is against arch rivals Newcastle the following weekend and Bruce added on www.safc.com: "It doesn't get much bigger than a derby game on the first home date of the season.

"It's a difficult start, but everyone is hard at work putting the pieces into place to ensure we have the best squad possible for when the first ball is kicked."

Manchester City's first match is at home to newly-promoted Swansea, whose chairman Huw Jenkins told Sky Sports News: "We are looking forward to it. The main thing is to be competitive.

"Everyone talks about a good start but it's a long season and you've got to be consistent."

Of the other Premier League newcomers, QPR open with a home match against Bolton, while Norwich travel to Wigan.

Rangers boss Neil Warnock said: "When you see the fixtures it's so exciting. It doesn't matter who you play, the Premier League is where we all want to be. It's just fabulous to be involved."

Norwich manager Paul Lambert told www.canaries.co.uk: "We have earned the right to be here - it is a great challenge and exciting times for the club and the fans.

"Whoever we were going to face in the opening game we knew it was going to be a really tough and that is the way it will be in the Premier League, really, really tough games."

Elsewhere on the opening day, Alex McLeish starts his reign as Aston Villa manager with a trip to Fulham, while Blackburn host Wolves in a reverse of last season's final fixture.

Rovers boss Steve Kean said: "To be at home is great and obviously a little unusual to be pitched up against the team we played on the final day of last season - a similar result would do very nicely."

Kean, whose side won the 2010/11 season finale 3-2 at Molineux, added on www.rovers.co.uk: "We finished on a real high in May and we want to hit the same levels from the word go next season.

"It is great for the fans that we are at home first and we have to make the most of it."