HULL City's fixtures for the new 2013-14 Premier League season have today been met with excitement.
With an opening day clash at Chelsea first up for the Tigers, the visit to take on the Blues will mark Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge.
Norwich are the first visitors to the KC Stadium a week later, before a tough trip to big-spending Manchester City is followed by the visit of Cardiff.
City's players have already been showing their delight at the high-profile opener, taking to Twitter to welcome the London visit on August 17.
Forward Sone Aluko, who is on his way back from an Achilles injury, said: "The anticipation levels just went up another notch!"
Whilst defender Alex Bruce added: "Chelsea away first game welcome to the big league! Some great games to look forward to, can't wait."
Goalkeeper Mark Oxley , who recently penned a new two-year deal, added his excitement, saying: "Not a bad opening fixture!"
Whilst the players are seemingly just as excited as the fans, the men in the media are already trying to digest what it may mean for Steve Bruce's side.
Peter Swan, the Mail's own Tigers pundit, will be at every fixture to analyse how City get on during their return to the big time.
And the former City defender thinks it's great that will be involved in a great opening day spectacle.
"If you were going to pick a fixture, you probably could not have asked for a better one, especially because of the hype which will follow the return of Jose Mourinho.
"The atmosphere will be electric, the media coverage massive and it promises to be a cracking start to the new season.
Looking at the next three fixtures – a home clash against Norwich, an away trip to Manchester City and the visit of Cardiff to the KC – the former defender believes picking up points against the lesser sides is essential.
He added: "No disrespect to Norwich or Cardiff, but they are the game which City must target for picking up a win or draw because the Chelseas and Manchester Citys of this world are on a different planet.
"It's important to get up and running quickly in the top flight and these are games Steve Bruce will target. If they get anything from Stamford Bridge or the Etihad, it will just be a bonus."
Whilst admitting the Boxing Day arrival of Manchester United is the "perfect present" for everyone at the KC, Swan thinks the run-in to the campaign poses a tough test.
He added: "Any end to the season is a hard one at this level, but Manchester United, Arsenal, Fulham, Aston Villa and Everton are no pushovers.
"If you are desperately in need of a point or two to stay up, it's not going to be easy. But games in the Premier League never are. It just shows the amount of quality sides there are.
"I suppose a home game against Everton on the final day is a positive. Any side wants to finish their season at home and it might be a case of needing the crowd to get behind you to get a crucial three points.
"It proves what an exciting season it's going to be."
• Complete fixtures for Hull City's 2013-14 Premier League season
• Hull City kick-off Premier League season with trip to Mourinho's Chelsea
