The return of Chelsea's record goalscorer to west London as manager was the most intriguing development of the summer and Sunday's blockbuster is the standout clash as the Premier League cranks back into life.

It all begins on Friday when last season's runners-up Liverpool host newcomers Norwich City and continues on Saturday when champions Manchester City go to West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa.

Few would bet against City and Liverpool slugging it out for the title again - such was the unforgiving nature of last season's duel when they won their last 14 and nine league matches respectively to finish with 98 and 97 points.

Chelsea, then under Maurizio Sarri, were a distant third on 72 points, ahead of Tottenham (71) with Manchester United sixth after a woeful finish in which they won none of their last five games, signing off with a home defeat by relegated Cardiff City.

While Sarri's methods were never embraced by the fans, the Italian steered Chelsea into the Champions League and won the Europa League so he can hardly be deemed a failure.

Lampard will start with goodwill aplenty but needs only to look as far as the United bench during Sunday's baptism of fire to know that being a club great takes you only so far.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start to life as Manchester United manager last season, taking 26 points from his first 10 league games after replacing Jose Mourinho.

But the bounce did not last and the Norwegian will find himself under intense scrutiny as fans seek tangible evidence that United can challenge City.

Solskjaer has been backed in the transfer market with Swansea City flying machine Daniel James and Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka snapped up before United this week paid an eye-watering STG80 million pounds ($A143 million) for Leicester City's commanding England centre back Harry Maguire.

While United have spent big, Chelsea's transfer ban has taken them on a new course and Lampard will continue the methods that served him well at second-tier Derby County last season and promote youngsters such as Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and the currently injured Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Lampard can still call upon plenty of top-quality internationals such as France midfield anchor N'Golo Kante and Willian but Chelsea will have to cope without Eden Hazard after his departure for Real Madrid.

The status quo is likely to remain in the top six and the early weeks might offer clues as to the order.

Arsenal, fifth last season, travel to Newcastle United on Sunday where the hosts' manager Steve Bruce will hope to placate the fans still angry at the departure of Rafa Benitez.

Australian Associated Press