For the first time in the history of Scottish football, the Premier League will split into two "mini-leagues" after 33 games. Until that point, each of the twelve teams in the top flight next season will play each other three times - either once at home and twice away or vice versa.

For the remaining five games of the season, the league will split with the top six teams battling it out for the Championship and a place in Europe and the remaining six fighting against relegation to the first division. Although points from the previous phase will be carried over for the run-in, those teams in the bottom section cannot finish higher than seventh place.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has admitted to tabling a bid for Leicester City midfielder Neil Lennon - and he intends to keep trying to persuade his Filbert Street successor Peter Taylor to sell. O'Neill knows all about the Northern Ireland star and what he can bring to Parkhead, having signed him from Crewe. With just Chris Sutton arriving at Celtic since O'Neill's appointment this summer and with a week to go before the start of the new season, the new manager is determined to renew his partnership with Lennon. The club would have to pay more than the £6 million spent on Sutton and they are believed to have made an offer in the region of £6.5 million for the 29-year-old.

Sunderland hope to complete the £3 million signing of Argentinian defender Julio Arca today after agreeing personal terms with the player. The 19-year-old jetted into the north east yesterday to discuss terms after Sunderland agreed a fee with his club.

Mark Viduka is poised to finally make his Leeds debut today after belatedly receiving clearance for his international work permit. Viduka joined Leeds recently following a £6 million move from Celtic, but the Department for Education and Employment initially rejected Leeds' permit application for the Australian. But Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale was always confident his club would win an appeal, which was held in London on Tuesday. With Leeds on a pre-season tour of Sweden, Viduka now looks set to play in the second of three matches against Lysekils.