POLICE today admitted both Saints v Pompey Premiership derbies next season will probably be played on a Sunday.

The 2003/04 fixtures were released this morning and handed Saints a home clash against their south coast rivals on Saturday, December 20.

The return game at Fratton Park is scheduled for Saturday, March 20.

But Chief Supt Paul Stickler, head of Southampton police division, said both matches - the first league meetings between the clubs for 15 years - should be played on the following day.

In a statement issued on behalf of Southampton and Portsmouth police, Stickler said: "Contrary to the published fixture list, the Southampton v Portsmouth match is planned to go ahead on Sunday, December 21 at 12noon.

"This is subject to confirmation by Southampton Football Club and the Premiership League.

"The March fixture at Fratton Park will also take place on a Sunday, subject to confirmation."

Chief Supt Stickler, based at Southampton Central police station, added: "We have no reason to suspect that there will be any problems with these games.

"The matches are an exciting prospect for both cities and we will be putting together our policing plan in due course in the same way as we will for every other football fixtures in the coming season.

"We do expect a charged atmosphere and an extra competitive edge for such prestigious derby games and our job will be to ensure that everybody enjoys themselves and that nobody spoils what are certain to be two very special matches."

Saints' opening fixture is away to promoted Leicester on August 16 with their first home match against Birmingham the following Saturday.