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West Ham to play first three Premier League fixtures away from home

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2017-18 Premier League fixtures announced (0:45)

With the 2017-18 English Premier League fixtures being announced, ESPN previews the opening fixtures and key dates of the North London, Manchester and Merseyside derbies. (0:45)

West Ham face the possibility of having to play their first three matches of the season away from home.

The club have confirmed their second fixture, scheduled to be at home to Southampton, will have to be rearranged due to the World Athletics Championships being held at the London Stadium.

The event takes place between Aug. 5 and 13, so the stadium will not be available in time for the Saints game on Aug. 19. The fixture could be reversed, meaning the Hammers would face three games on the road.

In a statement on their official website, the club said: "Our opening fixtures in August will be played away from home as London Stadium welcomes the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships for a once-in-a-generation occasion.

"Supporters are therefore advised that our second fixture of the campaign, against Southampton, will be rescheduled, with further details to follow."

West Ham's first match, on Saturday Aug. 12, is away to Manchester United and the third, on Saturday 26, is a trip to Newcastle.

Their first home fixture will therefore be the visit of newly promoted Huddersfield on Saturday Sept. 9.