Saints V Arsenal is being shown on free to air channels across the United States Of America on Boxing Day.

Saints have a chance to up their profile across the pond with 112 million households in America having access to the Boxing Day clash with Arsenal on free to air TV.

The game in the USA has grown in recent years and most Premier League fixtures are shown live, but only on pay per view specialist channels, but that is all changing and certain games are being shown on mainstream free to watch channels, a move that will greatly increase audience viewing figures.

NBC will show it nationally as well as Spanish Language channel Telemundo.

NBC will have their anchorman leading the coverage direct from St Mary's and former Saints defender Graeme Le Saux will be his sidekick to summarise.

But there could be a drawback to Uncle Sam and the authorities are worried that an increase in the popularity of "Soccer" in the States could see an increase in soccer related hooliganism.

New York Police chief Frank Regan commented.

" As the popularity of Premier League soccer increases we in New York have seen an increase in soccer related incidents, yesterday graffiti appeared on the Empire State Building saying "Pompey are sh*t" we feel this is directly related to Saturday's coverage and will be putting extra officers on the street"

" We can assure the public that they are entirely safe to walk the streets before during and after a screening of a Premier League game and that incidents such as the ones in California when charity boxes kept disappearing from bars in the vicinity of stadiums where English club Portsmouth were playing on a pre season tour will not happen in New York City, God Bless America"

Photo: Action Images

Zambucco added 09:49 - Dec 26 The problem with this is, I have a feeling the stadium will have more than a few empty seats. St Mary's never looks good on tv when the Northam end is shown mainly due to the large buffer between rival fans. Let's hope the game keeps the viewers eyes firmly on the pitch COYR!
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SaintBrock added 10:29 - Dec 26 More than a few regular fans will skip this match not so much because of the late timing or compelling domestic pressures but simply because at the moment we are just plain awful to watch and un likely to surprise us. A mediocre team usually attracts mediocre crowds. The solid core of 15000 who have been there through thick or thin, rough or smooth, success or failure will be the ones who can be relied upon to attend irrespective of circumstances. Get off the armchairs lads and get down there!

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legod7 added 12:17 - Dec 26 SaintBrock, There you are saying some regular fans will not go because of the "plain awful " way we are playing. Your words not mine. I will be there as usual but interestingly you haven't said whether you will be there. Do you go every week or are you an armchair supporter ?
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BUCK added 10:15 - Dec 27 I gaurentee Saint brock is an armchair supporter.ive now not missed a home game in 27 years. True supporters will be there thick and thin. Bring on west ham where they have 9 first team players out
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