Albion have welcomed the prospect of an opening fixture at home to Manchester City.

Chief executive Paul Barber said the Seagulls had hoped to get one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs at the Amex to kick off top-flight life.

The game is listed for Saturday, August 12 (3pm) but is likely to be moved for live television coverage.

Televised games for the opening weeks of the season will be revealed early next month.

Barber told The Argus: “I’m absolutely delighted. We really hoped to get a home game to start the season.

“We also hoped to have one of the big clubs for our first home game.

“We look forward to welcoming Pep Guardiola and his superstars here in August.

“You always start looking at groups of games to see if you have a tough run or less tough run.

“The group of games at the end of the season, when you have got Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool in the last four matches, is tough.

“Away to Chelsea and Newcastle over the Christmas and New Year period is going to be tough.

“But this is the Premier League. Every game you play in the Premier League is going to be a challenge, particularly when you haven’t been there before.

“It’s not the world’s biggest, best, toughest league by accident.”