Why there is no 12:30pm kick-off in the Premier League this Saturday with top-flight undergoing schedule change

This weekend’s Premier League action got underway earlier than usual, despite no lunchtime game being scheduled for this afternoon.

Nottingham Forest beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power to move up to fifth in the first Friday night game of the season since the opening match.

Earlier this season, Manchester United beat Fulham on Friday, August 16 before Liverpool sealed victory over Ipswich the following morning.

But that’s not the case this weekend…

Why is there no 12:30pm kick-off?

There is no Saturday lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League this weekend due to no games being selected for broadcast.

Under the Premier League’s current broadcast deal, TNT Sports occupies the 12:30pm slot with Package A.

TNT screens 52 English top-flight games a season, which are divided by Saturday lunchtime and two rounds of midweek fixtures.

That leaves the British broadcaster with 32 picks from the remaining 36 Premier League Gameweeks and four blanks to factor in.

Unfortunately for fans, TNT have made this Saturday the first Gameweek without a morning offering after eight straight picks.

While there will be no official reasoning behind their decision as the timing of their blanks is not mandated, European action has surely played a part.

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TNT Sports hold the bulk of the UK rights to Champions League football, and exclusive UK coverage of Europa League, and Europa Conference League action.

Liverpool Man City, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United‘s European adventures were all shown by them in midweek – with Arsenal the exception on Amazon Prime.

Leading Premier League broadcaster Sky Sports has selected Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates to battle the Gunners on Sunday.

Sky also screened Leicester vs Forest on Friday night, in addition to Everton‘s evening clash with Fulham.

Meanwhile, games involving Spurs, Chelsea and United are all ineligible for Saturday 12:30pm selection due to the three teams playing European football on a Thursday night.

This has left just four potential Premier League fixtures for TNT to choose from, and they have decided none would justify good viewing figures.

Clubs have to be featured a minimum of once a season in TNT’s 12.30pm slot – with a maximum number of six.

The remaining four fixtures are Villa at home to Bournemouth, with TNT already at Villa Park this week for the Champions League.

Similarly, City host Southampton, with both teams playing a Saturday morning fixture already this season, and the champions on the network for a game at the Etihad in midweek.

Brighton, who have had a joint-record two 12:30pm kick-offs this term, entertain Wolves, who are yet to be scheduled for their slot.

Finally, that leaves Brentford, who have the second smallest stadium in the Premier League behind Bournemouth, and Ipswich Town, who ticked their Saturday morning quota against Liverpool.