Football fans in the UK are experiencing a slight deviation from the traditional match schedule this Sunday, as three fixtures will kick off at the unusual time of 2.05pm. The matches in question feature Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion, and West Ham United vs Liverpool.
The scheduling change is primarily due to television arrangements, which often influence kick-off times in the modern game. Crystal Palace’s Sunday encounter against Manchester United was shifted from its original Saturday slot to accommodate Palace’s participation in the UEFA Conference League. This alteration created a need to adjust the other Sunday matches to avoid any potential overlap, resulting in the three games starting five minutes later than the customary 2pm.
Sky Sports, which broadcasts all fixtures in the 2pm window, made the request for this adjustment, and the Premier League along with the participating clubs were in agreement. Historically, the 2.05pm kick-off time has been infrequently used, occurring only 46 times in the Premier League’s history—all on Sundays. This Sunday marks a noteworthy occasion as it is the first time that three games will kick off simultaneously at this time.
The introduction of the 2.05pm slot was first utilized back in September 2010, with the latest occurrence prior to this weekend documented in May 2021. Fans may recall notable matches that have taken place during this time, such as Liverpool’s stunning 6-0 victory over Aston Villa in February 2016 and the thrilling 4-2 comeback by Arsenal against Tottenham in December 2018.
In terms of scoring, matches that have started at 2.05pm have seen an average of 2.74 goals, with very few matches ending in a goalless draw. This pattern showcases the potential for exciting footballing action, and viewers are hopeful that today’s fixtures will live up to the thrill typically associated with matches in this time slot.
The Premier League has also experimented with other unusual kick-off times over the years. The 4.05pm slot has been used 77 times, aimed at avoiding overlaps from earlier televised games. Moreover, evening fixtures, including the growing trend of 8.15pm kick-offs on midweek rounds, continue to enrich the viewing experience for fans.
Overall, the move to a 2.05pm start is a testament to the evolving nature of football broadcasting, as networks seek to optimize viewership while providing thrilling matchups for dedicated fans.