While the Premier League fixtures were released a few months back, Sky and TNT Sports have both had their wicked way with the list, adjusting games for TV broadcasting.
Fans are, of course, somewhat split on the jiggery-pokery, not least those who have made travel plans well in advance. Yet, it is part and parcel of the modern Premier League that the traditional 3 pm Saturday kick-off no longer feels like the norm.
Monday Night Football also divides opinion, particularly when fans are forced to travel home late on a ‘school night’. While there’s not quite the fervour of what you’d see in the NFL, nor the scrutiny of NFL Monday Night Football odds, Sky’s broadcast and accompanying analysis with Jamie Carragher have become something of an institution.
But who’s been lined up for MNF so far this season? Let’s give a quick rundown. Note that fixtures are subject to change.
Aug 24th Fulham vs. Chelsea
The first-ever Premier League game for Xabi Alonso is a London derby, with one of the shortest trips of the season for Chelsea fans. Chelsea have topped the net-spend table all summer, whereas Fulham have been a bit more frugal. It’ll be a difficult one to call here.
31st August Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
An early test for the champions. Villa have been raided, including by Arsenal for Ezri Konsa, again and again by other clubs, so it will be a new-look side under Unai Emery. The Spaniard is a master of his craft, though, so Arsenal won’t take this lightly. The Gunners are favourites to retain the title, but this is the kind of test where they must prove it.
14th September Leeds United vs. Newcastle United
Speaking about clubs raiding your talent, Newcastle will also be smarting from losing Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali, as well as Eddie Howe. There’s a good feeling around Leeds at the moment, as if there is a confidence that they can establish themselves as permanent residents in the Premier League.
12th October Coventry City vs. Newcastle United
There’s a long old International break coming in mid-September, which is why there is almost a month without MNF. This one will see Frank Lampard’s Coventry welcome Newcastle. Coventry have outspent several bigger clubs, so it’s a big punt on survival. They’ll hope to emulate Sunderland’s exploits last season, but there is no guarantees it will work.
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19th October Tottenham Hotspur vs. Coventry City
Two MNF fixtures in a row for Lampard. A visit to London will be a tough match, but it’s really up in the air with Spurs at the moment. They have been busy, sure, but it’s not quite clear whether the new signings were the right ones. Regardless, it surely can’t be any worse than last season, can it?
2nd November Newcastle United vs. Everton
While the Premier League fixtures were released a few months back, Sky and TNT Sports have both had their wicked way with the list, adjusting games for TV broadcasting.
Fans are, of course, somewhat split on the jiggery-pokery, not least those who have made travel plans well in advance. Yet, it is part and parcel of the modern Premier League that the traditional 3 pm Saturday kick-off no longer feels like the norm.
Monday Night Football also divides opinion, particularly when fans are forced to travel home late on a ‘school night’. While there’s not quite the fervour of what you’d see in the NFL, nor the scrutiny of NFL Monday Night Football odds, Sky’s broadcast and accompanying analysis with Jamie Carragher have become something of an institution.
But who’s been lined up for MNF so far this season? Let’s give a quick rundown. Note that fixtures are subject to change.
Aug 24th Fulham vs. Chelsea
The first-ever Premier League game for Xabi Alonso is a London derby, with one of the shortest trips of the season for Chelsea fans. Chelsea have topped the net-spend table all summer, whereas Fulham have been a bit more frugal. It’ll be a difficult one to call here.
31st August Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
An early test for the champions. Villa have been raided, including by Arsenal for Ezri Konsa, again and again by other clubs, so it will be a new-look side under Unai Emery. The Spaniard is a master of his craft, though, so Arsenal won’t take this lightly. The Gunners are favourites to retain the title, but this is the kind of test where they must prove it.
14th September Leeds United vs. Newcastle United
Speaking about clubs raiding your talent, Newcastle will also be smarting from losing Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali, as well as Eddie Howe. There’s a good feeling around Leeds at the moment, as if there is a confidence that they can establish themselves as permanent residents in the Premier League.
12th October Coventry City vs. Newcastle United
There’s a long old International break coming in mid-September, which is why there is almost a month without MNF. This one will see Frank Lampard’s Coventry welcome Newcastle. Coventry have outspent several bigger clubs, so it’s a big punt on survival. They’ll hope to emulate Sunderland’s exploits last season, but there is no guarantees it will work.
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19th October Tottenham Hotspur vs. Coventry City
Two MNF fixtures in a row for Lampard. A visit to London will be a tough match, but it’s really up in the air with Spurs at the moment. They have been busy, sure, but it’s not quite clear whether the new signings were the right ones. Regardless, it surely can’t be any worse than last season, can it?
2nd November Newcastle United vs. Everton
Yes, we are going to see a lot of Newcastle on Monday nights in the early part of the season, which isn’t ideal for a lot of travelling fans, given the geography. Nonetheless, it’s a first MNF date for David Moyes and his boys. You’d really want to be taking the temperature of the season before predicting how this one will go.
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