Why there are no Premier League games this Saturday amid drastic fixture schedule change

There will be a huge hole in the typical Premier League schedule this weekend.

In a very rare switch, the top-flight has no fixtures taking place on a Saturday afternoon.

It means fans will have to clue themselves up on the changed plan if they want to tune in to any of the action as the season run-in continues. 

Here’s why there won’t be any matches played in the usual prime slots and when they are being played instead…

Why are there no Premier League game this Saturday?

There will be no Premier League fixtures on Saturday due to a major schedule change.

An agreement was made with the FA last summer that would see the top-flight move any games scheduled for the same day as the FA Cup Final.

And with that huge game between Manchester City and Crystal Palace happening this weekend, it means things have been altered. 

The final takes place on Saturday at Wembley Stadium, with no Premier League games on the day at all.

The FA’s statement on the change ahead of this season read: “The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.” 

However, the top-flight has actually defied an extra rule that was put in place. 

Alongside there being no game on the Saturday of the final, there was also not meant to be any fixture played beforehand. 

“Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the Final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event,” the FA statement continued. 

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That isn’t going to happen now, after Manchester United and Tottenham’s games were moved to Friday due to their upcoming Europa League final. 

United will be taking on Chelsea and Spurs are facing Aston Villa, with both games live on the talkSPORT network.

It was a change that led to some controversy, as Spurs’ opponents Villa opposed the switch happening with only 10 days’ notice. 

But to allow the same amount of time to recover before the European final, things had to move and the FA must have agreed to it. 

Therefore, the entire agreement has been altered slightly, with just this Saturday seeing no Premier League games scheduled. 

Instead, Sunday has the biggest bill of top-flight action, as five games get going across 12pm, 2:15pm, 3pm and 4:30pm. 

Everton vs Southampton kicks things off in the early start as the Toffees say goodbye to Goodison Park, and talkSPORT has live commentary of that game from Nigel Adderley and Andy Townsend.

Then, West Ham host Nottingham Forest at 2:15pm, with Leicester vs Ipswich and Brentford vs Fulham scheduled for 3pm. 

Arsenal face Newcastle in a huge game at the Emirates that kicks off at 4:30pm. 

You can follow updates of all that action on talkSPORT with Sam Matterface on the Sunday Session.

Brighton vs Liverpool takes place on Monday, while Man City vs Bournemouth and Crystal Palace vs Wolves are on Tuesday.

Those games will also be broadcast on the talkSPORT network.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 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.

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