Unconventional Sunday: The Reason Behind the Premier League’s Single Match

The Premier League‘s schedule for this weekend is unlike any other, with only one match taking place on Sunday. The unusual setup is a result of a combination of factors, including cup competitions, player welfare, and the expansion of the UEFA European calendar.

Reasons Behind the Scheduling Change

The Premier League has made several adjustments to accommodate the needs of its teams. One of the main reasons for the single match on Sunday is the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Crystal Palace. The match was delayed due to Palace’s UEFA Conference League match on Thursday, December 18, which made it impossible for them to play a cup game during the normal midweek slot.

Player Welfare and Recovery Time

Premier League rules dictate that teams cannot play two matches within 60 hours. If Arsenal and Palace had played their league games on Sunday afternoon, they would not have had the required recovery time before their Tuesday night cup clash. To avoid this, the league shifted the weekend fixtures forward, resulting in only one match taking place on Sunday.

European Competition Impact and Broadcaster Agreement

The expansion of the UEFA European calendar has caused a busy fixture schedule this December. Crystal Palace’s match against KuPS on December 18 forced their domestic cup game to be pushed back, which in turn forced the Premier League to shift their weekend fixtures forward. Additionally, Sky Sports and the Premier League agreed to move the Everton vs Arsenal and Leeds vs Crystal Palace matches to a special Saturday 8pm slot to satisfy TV contracts and prioritize player welfare.

Boxing Day Preparation

The league has front-loaded this weekend’s schedule to ensure most teams have a full four-day break before the festive period begins in earnest. With the traditional Boxing Day fixtures beginning on Friday, December 26, the league has made adjustments to accommodate the needs of its teams.

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