Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has cheekily forecast next season's fixture list in his "crystal ball". Mourinho has a long-standing complaint that his Chelsea team get a raw deal when the fixtures come out.
He claims the Blues are handed away games after internationals and Champions League matches but rivals Arsenal get a home game. Mourinho expects the same thing to happen when the Premier League reveal dates for the new season, next Thursday.
He predicts Chelsea's first game of the new season will be away because it comes after a midweek international. Mourinho said: "I think in England you say, 'I have looked into my crystal ball'. So this is what I saw. For sure our first game will be away from home.
"After international matches, Arsenal always play at home, Manchester United and Liverpool are 50-50, Chelsea always away. So, with an international match on the 16th and the first Premier League game on the 19th, Chelsea will be away.
"Players will arrive back from their national teams on the 17th in the afternoon and we travel on the 18th to play away on the 19th."
The Chelsea boss went on to claim his team will be asked to play away after all the Champions League dates. Mourinho said: "Last season was unbelievable. After the Champions League, Chelsea was nearly always away, especially after the group phase matches.
"There is protection to some clubs, nothing for others. I don't know the intention but I know the reality, it is impossible to deny it. Sometimes matches after Champions League can be on a Sunday or Monday to have one more day to rest. Never for us.
"I am here for the third year, I still don't know who is in control but for other teams it looks like perfect fixtures."
At Christmas, the former Porto boss expects his champions to play twice in three days as others get extra rest. Mourinho said: "In the Christmas period, one day between matches.
"Again other teams have two days' rest between matches. But these situations make us stronger, because we know from the beginning, we are not in an easy position. Last game of the season, for sure away, two years running for us at Newcastle. Arsenal at home. Man United and Liverpool, we will see."
