Derby is put back in fixture changes
TRAINER ON MISSION WITH FRAMPTON /PAGE 56
THE first derby of the season has been moved back to a Sunday afternoon as City and United prepare for a real pre-Christmas cracker.
The two sides sit unbeaten at the top of the Premier League, and the first clash between them this season is already being keenly anticipated.
The latest round of fixture changes for TV has seen the Eithad Stadium showdown moved back 24 hours to Sunday, December 10, with a 4.30pm kick-off.
It is one of a host of alterations for both sides.
As a result of the derby’s late kick-off, City’s trip to Swansea has been put back to 7.45pm on Wednesday, December 13, but will not be shown live on TV.
West Ham visit the Etihad Stadium now on Sunday, December 3 (4pm), while the Blues are without a Boxing Day fixture as the trip to Newcastle is on December 27 (7.45pm).
City’s home game against Spurs on December 16 will now kick-off at 5.30pm while the final match of the year, at Crystal Palace, will kick-off at midday on New Year’s Eve.
United will host Bournemouth on December 13 (8pm) and their trip to Arsenal on December 2 will now be a 5.30pm start.
The trip to Leicester has moved to 7.45pm on Saturday, December 23, and the previous weekend’s visit to West Brom will start at 2.15pm on December 17, but that could be moved again depending on Everton’s Europa League commitments.
Southampton visit Old Trafford on December 20 (5.30pm) while United’s Boxing Day clash at home to Burnley remains unchanged.