Crossword Genius

Battle with new formats prior to start of decisive card game (8,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stamford bridge

'battle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'new formats prior to start of decisive card game' is the wordplay.
'new' is an anagram indicator.
'prior to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'start of' says to take the initial letters.
'card game' becomes 'bridge' (bridge is a kind of card game).
The initial letter of 'decisive' is 'd'.
'formats' anagrammed gives 'stamfor'.
'stamfor'+'d'+'bridge'='STAMFORD BRIDGE'

'with' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for stamford bridge that I've seen before include "Premiership venue" , "battleground" , "battle" , "Premier League spot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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