Manchester City will begin their 2015-16 Premier League campaign with a tricky fixture against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Manuel Pellegrini‘s side finished second last season, eight points behind champions Chelsea, and will play host to Jose Mourinho’s team at the Etihad Stadium in the second match of the season on Aug. 15, per the official Premier League website.

City started the last campaign with a 2-0 win away at Newcastle United. Pellegrini‘s side followed this with victory over Liverpool, but then lost their third match against Stoke City.

City’s objectives for the season should be competing to take Chelsea’s crown while maintaining their presence in cup competitions. Most notably, the side must improve in the Champions League after annual struggles on the continent since receiving investment from Sheikh Mansour.

Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero finished five goals ahead of Tottenham Hotspur‘s Harry Kane last season, topping the scorers chart with 26 strikes. He remains City’s most important player—a continued match-winner across all fronts—and vital to the side’s potential success.

Maintaining the presence of powerhouse midfielder Yaya Toure—who was linked with a move to Inter Milan, reported by Simon Jones of the Daily Mail—should also be seen as pivotal to City’s hunt for silverware.

Notable dates for the season include both Manchester derbies, which will go ahead on Oct. 24 at Old Trafford and Mar. 19 at the Etihad.

Pellegrini will be hoping to employ a more exciting and lethal brand of football, having watched on as his side struggled through important matches last season.

City should be considered the next likely team beyond Chelsea to take the title, having won the trophy twice in the last four years.

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