Premier League clubs have seen their schedules thrown into disarray following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Top-flight chiefs decided to postpone all of last weekend's matches as a mark of respect, a controversial call which was met with plenty of criticism from some of the game's biggest names. And after skipping a gameweek, four clubs are set to face more congestion in their calendars due to the period of national mourning, including three of the six biggest teams in the division.
Manchester United were due to welcome Leeds to Old Trafford on Sunday but due to the match being classed as a category A event for the local police force, the game has been postponed. The same goes for Chelsea versus Liverpool, which had been due to be held at Stamford Bridge later that afternoon.
So what next for the 'Big Six'? Here are each of their upcoming six fixtures in all competitions.
Manchester United
Kicking off with the club whose fixture postponement has taken most by surprise, United's clash with Leeds has fallen victim of strained police resources, despite it being far from London. Erik ten Hag and co will still be able to face Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday in the Europa League, but their next Premier League match will be on Sunday, October 2 against Manchester City.
Ten Hag's side will need to cram in the game against Leeds as well as a trip to Crystal Palace, who they were due to face last Sunday. It's going to be a busy campaign for the Red Devils, and they can't enjoy home comforts for a while yet.
- Sheriff Tiraspol [A] - 15/9 (Europa League)
- Manchester City [A] - 2/10
- Omonia Nicosia [A] - 6/10 (Europa League)
- Everton [A] - 9/10
- Omonia Nicosia [H] - 13/10 (Europa League)
- Newcastle [H] - 16/10
Liverpool
Moving to Merseyside now where Liverpool also have a European fixture this week, taking on Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday. After that, Jurgen Klopp's men host Brighton & Hove Albion and Glasgow Rangers following the international break to precede a tricky run of fixtures.
Arsenal, Manchester City and West Ham are to come amidst another clash with Rangers, making this an even tougher period for an already faltering team. The Reds will be hoping to refresh themselves during a period of relative downtime.
- Ajax [H] - 13/9 (Champions League)
- Brighton [H] - 1/10
- Rangers [H] - 4/10 (Champions League)
- Arsenal [A] - 9/10
- Rangers [A] - 12/10 (Champions League)
- Manchester City [H] - 16/10
Arsenal
Having enjoyed a booming start to the season, Mikel Arteta is scheming to take Arsenal back in the top four this term. However, with Europa League to contend with it was always going to be tricky - and it's only got more difficult.
Thursday's game at home to PSV Eindhoven has been called off due to it being a category A fixture, putting their European schedule into flux. Thankfully, the Gunners do have a Premier League match to look forward to before the international break, facing Brentford on the road.
- Brentford [A] - 18/9
- Tottenham Hotspur [H]- 1/10
- Bodo/Glimt [H] - 6/10 (Europa League)
- Liverpool [H] - 9/10
- Bodo/Glimt [A] - 13/10 (Europa League)
- Leeds [A] - 16/10
Chelsea
As the Graham Potter era begins, Chelsea are another outfit who only have European football to enjoy before this month's internationals. Red Bull Salzburg are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and they'll be confident of causing an upset after holding AC Milan to a draw on matchday one.
Beyond Potter's first match in the dugout, a relatively straightforward run of fixtures follows. However, the Blues will need to significantly improve their performances if they're going to make a success of his early days.
- Red Bull Salzburg [H] - 14/9 (Champions League)
- Crystal Palace [A] - 1/10
- AC Milan [H] - 5/10 (Champions League)
- Wolves [H] - 8/10
- AC Milan [A] - 11/10 (Champions League)
- Aston Villa [A]- 16/10
Tottenham Hotspur
Beginning to fire on all cylinders under Antonio Conte's guise, Tottenham would've been relishing a trip to Manchester City last Saturday before it was called off. Fortunately for Spurs, though, they're able to play in both Europe and domestic competition before their players fly away to represent their nations.
After travelling to face Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, Conte and co host Leicester City on Saturday. With only one postponed fixture to fit in, Tottenham shouldn't be too disgruntled by the change in scheduling.
- Sporting Lisbon [A] - 13/9 (Champions League)
- Leicester City [H] - 17/9
- Arsenal [A] - 1/10
- Eintracht Frankfurt [A] - 4/10 (Champions League)
- Brighton [A] - 8/10
- Eintracht Frankfurt [H] - 12/10 (Champions League)
Manchester City
Last but certainly not least, the champions. Like Spurs, City only have the one game to reschedule and their supporters can see them in action both midweek and on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's team host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday before making the trip to Molineux to face Wolves on Saturday. Then it's the aforementioned Manchester derby, as the Citizens look to take control of the Premier League title race and continue challenging for that allusive European crown.
- Borussia Dortmund - 14/9 (Champions League)
- Wolves [A] - 17/9
- Manchester United [H] - 2/10
- Copenhagen [H] - 5/10 (Champions League)
- Southampton [H] - 8/10
- Copenhagen [A] - 11/10 (Champions League)
Get involved! Which 'Big Six' team has impressed you the most this season? Join the debate in the comments section.
Varying on the amount of fixtures which teams have to fit into their respective calendars, it's going to a serious logistical challenge to fit all of the games in soon. Each 'Big Six' club has a jam-packed schedules due to their participation in European football and the League Cup, meaning that there're no free midweek slots from now until January.
That's because of the winter World Cup kicking off on Sunday, November 20 and running for nearly a month, a tournament which plenty of their players will be competing in and hoping for glory. Like in the days of Covid-affected football, be braced to remark your calendars in the months ahead.
