2006 Live Sky TV fixtures announced

Sky Sports have announced their live TV fixtures for the new Premiership campaign, with West Ham United scheduled to play in front of the cameras no fewer than eight times before Christmas.

Alan Pardew's team are set to appear on the main Sky Sports channels six times in the first half of the season, with two pay-per-view matches on the Prem Plus channel.

The first of those is on offer in the first week of the season, as we travel to Liverpool on Saturday, August 26 for a repeat of our unforgettable FA Cup final clash at the Millennium Stadium less than two months ago. A 12.45pm kick-off has been scheduled for the clash, which takes place just 24 hours after we find out our opponents in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Following a two-week international break, we then return to Premiership action with our first live Sky Sports fixture - a home clash against Aston Villa on Sunday, September 10 that will kick-off at 4.00pm, when Hammers will hope for a repeat of last season's corresponding fixture, when Marlon Harewood hit a hat-trick in a 4-0 win against David O'Leary's men - also in front of the live TV cameras.

Sky Sports then visit Upton Park twice more for Sunday matches, against Blackburn Rovers on October 29 (4.00pm kick-off) and Arsenal a week later on November 5 (1.30pm kick-off).

A month later, we travel to Everton on Sunday, December 3 for another 4.00pm kick-off live on Sky Sports, and just six days after that comes our second Prem Plus encounter, away at Bolton Wanderers in a 5.15pm kick-off.

For the second year running, our eagerly-awaited home Premiership clash against Manchester United is televised live on Sky Sports - this year on Sunday, December 17 at 4.00pm, while last-minute Christmas shopping will have to take a back seat as we begin the busy festive period with a lunchtime trip to Fulham on Saturday, December 23 for a 12.45pm kick-off that is also live on Sky Sports.

This season in total, Sky Sports will again show 88 matches exclusively live from the Barclays Premiership, with an additional 50 live matches available on PREMPLUS.

Barclays Premiership, Carling Cup and selected UEFA Champions league matches will also be broadcast live in Sky HD, offering even sharper, clearer, more vibrant pictures and - with compatible home cinema systems - Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Live TV fixtures:

Saturday, August 26 v Liverpool (a), 12.45pm kick-off, Prem Plus.

Sunday, September 10 v Aston Villa (h), 4.00pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

Sunday, October 29 v Blackburn Rovers (h), 4.00pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

Sunday, November 5 v Arsenal (h), 1.30pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

Sunday, December 3 v Everton (a), 4.00pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

Saturday, December 9 v Bolton Wanderers (a), 5.15pm kick-off, Prem Plus.

Sunday, December 17 v Manchester United (h), 4.00pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

Saturday, December 23 v Fulham (a), 12.45pm kick-off, Sky Sports.

*Please note that ALL fixtures are still subject to change.