Premier League fans will be disappointed to learn that there is no early kick-off scheduled for this weekend. The 12:30pm kick-off time, which usually gets the top-flight action underway on Saturdays, will not be broadcast live on television this week. Instead, the fixtures are spread out across the weekend at some unusual times. So why is there no 12:30pm kick-off this Saturday?
The absence of the early kick-off is due to no games being selected for broadcast. The slot is typically picked by TNT Sports, but they have opted to show an 8pm game instead. This decision is likely influenced by the European fixtures taking place in midweek.
Several Premier League teams, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton, West Ham, and Aston Villa, are all featuring in European competitions. As these teams are playing in midweek, they require sufficient recovery time and cannot have an early slot on Saturday.
This explains why the Burnley vs Manchester United match will be shown at the changed time of 8pm on TNT Sports. The absence of an early kick-off allows these teams to have adequate rest and preparation before their weekend fixtures.
The Premier League fixtures for this weekend are as follows:
Saturday, September 23:
– Crystal Palace vs Fulham – 3pm
– Luton vs Wolves – 3pm – live on talkSPORT 2
– Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest – 3pm
– Brentford vs Everton – 5:30pm
– Burnley vs Manchester United – 8pm – live on talkSPORT
Sunday, September 24:
– Arsenal vs Tottenham – 2pm
– Brighton vs Bournemouth – 2pm
– Chelsea vs Aston Villa – 2pm
– Liverpool vs West Ham – 2pm
– Sheffield United vs Newcastle – 4:30pm
Only three 3pm games will be taking place in the Premier League this weekend, with three matches moved due to European participation. Brighton vs Bournemouth, Chelsea vs Aston Villa, and Liverpool vs West Ham will all be played at 2pm on Sunday instead. Arsenal and Newcastle are also scheduled to play on Sunday afternoon.
This scheduling change is a common occurrence on weekends following a round of Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League fixtures. The 12:30pm slot is filled by teams not featuring in those competitions following a European matchweek.
Premier League fans may be disappointed by the absence of the early kick-off this weekend, but the spread-out fixtures provide an opportunity to watch a variety of matches at different times. Whether it’s the intense rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham or the clash between Liverpool and West Ham, there will still be plenty of exciting action to enjoy throughout the weekend.
For fans who want to keep up-to-date with all the latest football fixtures, results, and standings, talkSPORT offers a new match center. This platform provides comprehensive coverage and allows fans to stay informed about their favorite teams and players.
Although there may not be an early kick-off this weekend, Premier League fans can still look forward to an exciting round of matches. The absence of the 12:30pm slot is a temporary change influenced by European fixtures, and normal scheduling is expected to resume in the following weeks. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the weekend of Premier League football!