THE New Saints' bid for a ninth straight Welsh Premier League title will start with a Friday night home tie against Caernarfon Town..

The JD Welsh Premier League phase one fixtures were released earlier this week, while the Saints prepare for upcoming Champions League tie.

After their European campaign has started, TNS will take on Caernarfon in the league on Friday, August 16.

The opener is followed by two successive away trips, first to Bala Town on Friday, August 23, before travelling to Aberystwth Town on Monday, August 26.

Scott Ruscoe's men then return to Park Hall for home games against newly-promoted Pen-Y-Bont and Newtown.

Away trips to Cardiff Metropolitan University and Carmarthen Town follow in before the Saints host last season's third-placed team Barry Town United on September 28.

In October, TNS face Caernarfon Town away, before taking on last season's Huws Gray Alliance champions Airbus UK Broughton at Park Hall and Pen-Y-Bont away in the space of four days.

Ruscoe's men then welcome Bala on October 25.

They first face rivals Connah's Quay Nomads away on November 1, before the return fixture is played on the final day of the phase one fixture list.

Two home games against Carmarthen Town and Aberystwyth Town follow on November 9 and November 20, then another test against Airbus UK Broughton on November 30.

A busy December will see TNS travel south to face Barry Town United again on December 14.

Cardiff Met will then travel to Park Hall before Christmas on December 21.

A double-header against Cefn Druids will take place on Boxing Day and December 30 with the away game first.

The Saints wrap up phase one of the campaign against Newtown away on January 11, before welcoming Nomads on January 17.