Unconventional Premier League Schedule for the New Year

The Premier League has introduced an unconventional match schedule during the first full weekend of the New Year, featuring games at unusual times that deviate from traditional norms.

On Saturday, Sky Sports in the UK broadcasted the early kick-off between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, alongside the late kick-off featuring Bournemouth and Arsenal. Typically, TNT Sports showcases the early match on Saturday; however, they have secured the rights to air the much-anticipated clash between Leeds and Manchester United on Sunday at 12:30 PM.

Subsequently, four matches are set to commence at 3 PM: Everton will face Brentford, Fulham will take on Liverpool, Newcastle will clash with Crystal Palace, and Tottenham will battle Sunderland, all available for viewing on Sky Sports. The day will conclude with a significant matchup as Manchester City hosts Chelsea at 5:30 PM, also on Sky.

The Premier League aims to provide clubs with a minimum of 60 hours of recovery time between matches. Due to the midweek fixtures during the Christmas period, several games originally scheduled for Saturday have been moved to Sunday. Liverpool, Tottenham, and Manchester City all played on Thursday, alongside Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Sunderland, and Leeds, preventing them from participating again on Saturday.

Chelsea, having played on Tuesday, enjoys more recovery time before facing City, which was likely chosen as the standout match for Super Sunday. Notably, all 3 PM kick-offs will be accessible for live viewing, as there is no blackout on Sundays—unlike Saturdays, when Football League attendances are protected. Discussions are anticipated soon that may lead to the removal of this blackout altogether.

Additionally, the Premier League is mindful of midweek scheduling, particularly with the FA Cup’s third round approaching next weekend. On Tuesday, West Ham will meet Nottingham Forest in a crucial match at the bottom of the table, with both teams scheduled to play on Saturday.

Wednesday’s fixture list includes a near-complete slate of six games kicking off at 7:30 PM, highlighted by Bournemouth’s match against Tottenham and City’s encounter with Brighton. At 8:15 PM, Burnley will square off against Manchester United, while Newcastle will face Leeds. The week will culminate in an exhilarating match on Thursday, where Arsenal takes on Liverpool in a significant clash at the top of the table.

Following the FA Cup third round, fixtures are expected to revert to their regular schedule. The Premier League will recommence on January 17, featuring a 12:30 PM kick-off for the Manchester derby, where United will meet City, while Nottingham Forest will welcome Arsenal for the late kick-off at the City Ground.

In the week leading up to this, the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals will occur, with Newcastle facing Manchester City and Arsenal meeting Chelsea in their quests to reach Wembley and secure the first available trophy of the season.