Why there is no Premier League football this weekend as top-flight stops for mid-March break

There will be no Premier League football this weekend as the top-flight pauses for a scheduled mid-March break.

We are coming into the final quarter of the 2024/25 season, but before the final crescendo, there is a pause.

It’s nothing for supporters to be worried about though, as the domestic action will be back next weekend.

Here, talkSPORT.com looks into why the Premier League won’t be on.

Why there is no Premier League football this weekend

Well, it’s another international break.

The March international break is one of four scheduled stoppages across each season as countries around the world compete.

In Europe, World Cup qualifiers are taking place, so Premier League players from all teams will be helping their countries.

The last international break was in November, so it’s been about four months without one.

However, Premier League fans shouldn’t despair because this is the final one of the season.

Getty

Getty

Of course, international breaks are important because they allow time for qualifying for the major tournaments.

But you get the impression that some Premier League managers would rather they weren’t a thing.

It’s a different story for Pep Guardiola though, as despite not being pleased for his players, he loves it from a personal perspective.

Speaking after a win over Fulham much earlier in the season, the Manchester City manager said: “International break? I love it! I would have an international break every two weeks!

“For the players, it’s a problem – that’s why we always defend the players. I’m going to rest, and after the international break – my energy is back.

“December, January, February, and March are terrible here, and we need energy back.

“But the players have to go, that’s why they cannot rest – and this is a problem!”

Due to the lack of rest, there have been many times when players from up and down the league have been injured on international duty.

AFP

Guardiola enjoys a personal break but isn’t happy that his players get no rest[/caption]

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard was a recent high-profile example of this, while players have also spoken out against the fixture list.

Man City midfielder Rodri, who is now out for the season with an ACL injury, has even suggested that players might strike if the schedule isn’t changed.

So, though the Premier League stops, the football doesn’t for the majority of top-flight players.

And England will be in action twice over the next few days, with both games live on talkSPORT.

Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first games as England manager having been appointed in late 2024 to replace Gareth Southgate.

The German has been brought in to win the World Cup, and that is it.

His first squad has provoked a lot of conversation, with Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn making it, and the journey to potential glory starts against Albania and Latvia.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of both games, with Adrian Durham hosting both.

Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and England icon Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.