‘Big four’ to clash as fixture list delivers double crunch

THE NEW Premiership campaign will twice deliver key clashes between the “big four” clubs over one weekend.

While all eyes may be on Bolton’s Reebok Stadium for the return of Sam Allardyce with his Newcastle side when the season kick off in August, the television schedulers have no doubt already pencilled in mid-December for their first blockbuster double bill.

Champions Manchester United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, while Arsenal host Chelsea, with the games certain to be moved from Saturday afternoon into one of the prime-time slots on Sky Sports — who still have the pick of the new £1.7 billion (€2.51 billion) broadcasting deal.