I don't know about you, but this time of year is the time I miss the Mackems. The new fixtures for the coming season usually have an extra edge because the first question everyone asks is "when do we play Sunderland?".

Sadly it isn't to be, and we will have to make do with the visits of Liverpool and Man Utd.

Newcastle begin their Premiership title campaign with a home game against Wigan Athletic on August 19, then we travel to Anfield the following Wednesday (Aug 22) to face Liverpool.

Boxing Day we go to Bolton's Reebok stadium, but get the luck of the draw on New Year' Day when we only have to travel to St James' Park - to welcome Manchester United. 

Rather than welcoming champions Chelsea to SJP on the last Sunday of the season, we have a change, it's the trek to Watford - where obviously we can mock their relegation.

(Sadly, due to the FA laws, we cannot publish all the fixtures).