The new Manx football season gets underway on Sunday afternoon as reigning Premier League champions St George’s face Corinthians at the Bowl.

The pair, who finished first and second in the top flight last season, meet in the campaign’s traditional curtain-raiser the Eric Fletcher Charity Shield.

Geordies finished 14 points clear of the Whites as they clinched a 12th league title in 14 seasons and will start the weekend’s encounter as marginal favourites.

However, form at this stage of the campaign is hard to predict and Corinthians were the only team to inflict a league defeat on the Glencrutchery Road side last term.

Geordies will be shy of a few of the regulars that helped them land a third Grand Slam last season for Sunday’s match with Sam Caine and Joey Morling away on holiday and Chris Bass Jr unavailable.

The versatile Johnny Myers should play some part despite missing last week’s friendly win over DHSOB with a back injury.

One man that is likely to be in the squad though is Calum Morrissey.

The striker looked like he was signing for rivals St Mary’s earlier in the summer transfer window, but now appears to have had a change of heart and will continue his long association with the Glencrutchery Road club.

Douglas High School Old Boys’ full-back Phil Knox is also in contention to make his debut for the Saints after making the switch from Blackberry Lane.

Aside from that Chris Bass Sr’s charges will have a largely familiar feel to them with skipper Frank Jones, Jack McVey, Sean Quaye, Julian Ringham, Ciaran McNulty and Furo Davies all expected to feature.

The raft of youngsters that the club recruited last summer will fill in the gaps, Lewis Bridson and Joel Ibanez among those impressing in pre-season.

Corinthians go into the match without two of last season’s key performers. Chris Cannell is sidelined by injury while winger Josh Ridings is away travelling.

Defender Tom Smith has arrived from Laxey to cushion the blow of Cannell’s absence, but it will be the likes of last season’s 29-goal man Sean Doyle and attacking co-horts Ste Whitley and Dan Simpson that will be key to taking the battle to Geordies.

Kick-off is 2pm on Sunday, not 3pm as stated in the Examiner. Twitter updates @manxfootyblog.