View all the Fixtures for 2012/13
Given that seasoncards sold out over the weekend there is likely to be a full house for the 18 August visit of the Saints who last played the Blues in the Premier League on New Year’s Day 2005, when goals from Paul Bosvelt and Shaun Wright-Phillips earned the home side a 2-1 win.
Southampton’s most recent visit to the Etihad Stadium, for a fourth round FA Cup tie in 2007, also ended in victory for City.
The Blues’ first away game of the new campaign, slated before the TV rights holders have their way, is on 25 August against Liverpool.
Derby days against Premier League runners-up Manchester United take place on 8 December and 6 April with the Reds coming to the Etihad Stadium first before the showdown at Old Trafford where City famously won 6-1 last season so laying the foundations for the goal-difference by which the English football crown was won.
Christmas will mean Roberto Mancini’s men taking a Boxing Day trip to Sunderland and New Year 2013 will be ushered in via a home match against Stoke City.
The run-in sees the Blues take on two of the sides who came up from the Championship and two who survived that same journey last season.
West Ham United at home on 27 April is followed by Swansea away (4 May), Reading away (12 May) and a final day home game against Norwich City (19 May).
*These fixtures and the kick-off times are certain to change once Television picks its games for live screening. You will hear about any alterations first on mcfc.co.uk
