helsea and Tottenham Hotspur have seen their Premier League matches rescheduled to the rare 7pm Sunday slot this weekend, a move driven by their European commitments.
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Unusual Timing Explained
Chelsea will host Brentford, while Tottenham travels to Southampton, both kicking off at 7pm.
This timing deviates from the traditional final weekend game slot of 4:30pm, which will instead feature the Manchester derby between City and United at the Etihad Stadium.
The change allows both Chelsea and Spurs extra recovery time after Thursday night European fixtures.
Chelsea’s Conference League match against Astana in Kazakhstan involves a grueling 16-hour round trip, with kick-off scheduled at 3:30pm local time due to a five-hour time difference.
Similarly, Spurs face Rangers in the Europa League, with their match chosen for live broadcast by TNT Sports.
Broadcasters Influence Scheduling
Typically, TNT Sports broadcasts Premier League games at 12:30pm on Saturdays.
However, Spurs’ Europa League commitments necessitated the use of the 7pm Sunday slot to avoid scheduling clashes with Sky Sports.
Criticism from Fan Groups
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has criticized the decision, citing significant challenges for match-going fans.
“The Sunday evening kick-off slot is really unpopular with match-goers as public transport options are limited and it’s no good for families with young kids,” an FSA spokesperson said.
They also condemned the Premier League for prioritizing broadcasters over fans by allowing conditional scheduling, which often leads to rescheduled fixtures when teams progress in European tournaments.
Future Implications
This weekend is not the only instance of a 7pm kick-off. Manchester United’s clash with Fulham on January 26, 2025, has also been set for this slot, following their Europa League game against Rangers three days earlier.
The growing reliance on this timing raises questions about balancing broadcast demands with the needs of fans, especially for those traveling or with family commitments.
