City’s first game in defence of the Premier League title has been put back 24 hours for live screening by Sky TV.
Having produced the most dramatic ever finale to a season with the last gasp 3-2 win over QPR back in May, the Blues are pure box office – all season cards sold out in record time - and the champions will be on Sky and ESPN half a dozen times before the end of September and no fewer than ten times before the end of November (not including European and cup matches).
Newly-promoted Southampton’s visit will now take place on 19 August with a 4pm kick-off.
The opening away game at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers competitive home debut as Liverpool boss, has also been shifted and will now take place on Sunday 26 August with a 4pm start.
North London’s two league visits to the Etihad Stadium will now both take place on Sundays. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side will be in town on Sunday 23 September at 4pm whilst the Tottenham game, so pivotal in the league success, will start at 1.30pm on 11 November.
The Blues' trip to Stamford Bridge for the clash between the European and English champions has been slated for the 4pm slot on 25 November. It was at Chelsea that last season’s unbeaten start came to a halt.
Our home game with QPR will stay on the same date but kick-off at 5.30pm, the visit of Sunderland on October 6 has a 12.45pm kick-off and the match against Swansea on October 27 will start at 5.30pm – the same time as the contest against West Ham on 3 November.
Finally, the short trip to Wigan has moved to Wednesday 28 November and will kick off at 8pm.