A war of words over Chelsea's new Premier League fixture list looks likely after the Blues were scheduled to play title rivals after four out of six Champions League group games.
The 2014-15 fixtures gave Jose Mourinho's side what should be a gentle easing in to the new campaign with a season kick-off at newly promoted Burnley and a follow up visit by fellow former Championship side Leicester to Stamford Bridge.
But it is on the aftermath of Chelsea's Champions League campaign that all eyes have been set.
The club's first game in Europe will be on 16 or 17 September, with them due to travel to Eastlands to face Manchester City the following weekend.
And the next three group games in the competition are followed by Premier League matches at home to Arsenal, away to Manchester United and away to Liverpool.
Their final two group games come before the long trip to Sunderland and the visit of Hull City to west London.
Both Mourinho and his players have made no secret that they expect more support from the English footballing authorities over the scheduling of games to help the Premier League's most successful club in Europe of recent years.
Back in April, and prior to Chelsea's Champions League semi final against Atletico Madrid, Petr Cech made his feelings clear.
He said: “In the last few years we have been saving the English coefficient in the Champions League and we never get any help in terms of the schedule from the authorities.
“The Germans always play on a Friday and the Italians on a Friday. Atletico will play on Friday to make sure that they are ready to keep the glory of the La Liga in the Champions League. Our authorities should do the same.”
Mourinho is already understood to be considering his reaction to the fixture list.
Should Chelsea reach the quarter finals and semi finals of the Champions League, three out of four matches will be followed by games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
