Why is there no Premier League match at 12:30 pm this Saturday? Lunchtime football was absent during the packed weekend
This weekend's Premier League action will contain just three Saturday matches, with no matches scheduled for lunchtime.
English top-flight football has seen numerous changes and calendar alterations recently as we approach the end of the 2023/24 season.
Elite clubs will be under more pressure than ever as the second legs of the Champions League, Europa and Europa Conference League quarter-finals take place this week.
To make things more difficult, the FA This weekend the Cup semi-finals will also be played.
This has led to only two Premier League matches being scheduled for the 3pm slot, with relegation-threatened Luton as hosts. Brentfordwhile Sheffield United entertain fellow fighters Burnley.
Why is there no game at 12:30 pm this Saturday?
In short, there is no kick-off on Saturday lunchtime at the first division this weekend because no games were selected for broadcast.
A key reason behind this is the European and FA Cup commitments which limit TNT Sports in choosing a marquee match to screen.
Under the Premier League's current broadcast deal, TNT Sports occupies Saturday's 12:30pm slot with Package A.
TNT broadcasts the rights to 52 Premier League matches per season, with only three left to broadcast this campaign.
Both Manchester United and Manchester City and Chelsea They are involved in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and are therefore unavailable.
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Liverpool, Aston Villaand West Ham also play on Thursday night in the Europa League, meaning they have to play on Sunday.
Tottenham and Brighton are not involved at all, with the clubs' respective matches against Man City and Chelsea postponed due to the latter's involvement at Wembley.
TNT has occasionally moved its Saturday timeslot early to 8 pm if the clubs involved have played. a Champions League match away from home earlier that week.
However, ArsenalWolves' trip to Wolves, live on talkSPORT, is shown by rival broadcasters Sky Sports from 7.30pm
This has resulted in only the fourth weekend of the Premier League season in which TNT will not broadcast a live match at any time.
The Premier League's regular schedule of lunchtime kick-offs will return for the next three Saturday lunchtimes, before the final weekend of the season sees all matches take place on Sunday 19 May.
