Just one Premier League match is being televised today (Image: Getty)
Domestic football has returned following an exhilarating midweek of European action. With the next international break not due until mid-November, teams can now concentrate on building momentum as we approach the festive period.
However, the absence of a 12.30pm Premier League game today has left some fans puzzled. After last night’s East Midlands derby between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest, five more Premier League matches are scheduled for this afternoon. But that’s not all – three Championship games will also be televised, along with two each from League One and League Two.
Moreover, one of the most anticipated fixtures in European football is set to take place later tonight. Here, Express Sport provides all the details including which matches are being broadcasted, how to watch them, and the reason behind the conspicuously missing early kick-off.
Why is there no 12.30pm Premier League match?
The lunchtime kick-off has become a cherished part of the Premier League schedule, but today, fans will have to wait until 3pm for top-tier football to commence. The simple explanation for this is that no games have been chosen for TV broadcast.
Under the current broadcast agreement of the Premier League, TNT Sports occupies the 12.30pm slot every Saturday. The company, which holds the majority of the rights to Champions League, Europa League and Conference League football in the UK, only broadcasts 52 Premier League matches each season.
Out of these, 20 matches are aired during two rounds of midweek fixtures that TNT have secured, leaving them with a mere 32 picks remaining. Given that there are 36 more rounds of fixtures scheduled throughout the season, TNT has been compelled to leave four Saturdays vacant, one of which is today.
Everton are in action against Fulham in the late kick off (Image: PA)
Premier League
Just one Premier League match is being televised today: Everton vs Fulham at Goodison Park. The match, kicking off at 5.30pm, will be aired live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.
The teams are currently exhibiting contrasting form, with Sean Dyche’s Toffees unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches, including two victories in their last three. On the other hand, Fulham started the new season brightly, suffering just one defeat in their first six games. However, consecutive losses to Manchester City and Aston Villa have altered the atmosphere at Craven Cottage, and Marco Silva will be eager to rebound with a win.
Should they secure a victory, they’ll move above Tottenham and Newcastle, and go level with Chelsea’s points tally, although all three teams will still have a game in hand. Everton, who started the weekend perilously close to the relegation zone, could match Fulham’s points total with a win – and victory by three goals or more would see them overtake their west London opponents.
Leeds’s clash with Bristol City is one of three Championship games being televised (Image: Getty Images)
Championship
Of the three televised Championship matches, Leeds United vs Bristol City is arguably the standout fixture. Daniel Farke’s team, currently in third place, are eager to rectify last season’s play-off final loss to Southampton and return to the top flight.
They’ve kicked off the season impressively, boasting six victories and suffering just one defeat in their first 11 matches. Conversely, the Robins, embarking on their 10th successive season in the second tier, have made a characteristically mediocre start, with three wins, six draws, and two losses to date. Their record against Leeds is particularly dismal, with only one victory and 15 losses in their past 18 encounters with the Whites, a streak dating back to 2010.
Coventry City vs Luton Town and Watford vs Blackburn have also both been chosen for television coverage. Both Coventry and Luton have had disappointing starts to the campaign, each enduring six losses so far. Meanwhile, a mere three points separate Watford and Blackburn, both of whom harbour aspirations of reaching the play-offs this term. All three matches kick off at 12.30pm and will broadcast on Sky Sports+.
League One
In League One, the spotlight will be on the Mansfield Town vs Birmingham City match. Table-toppers Birmingham are looking to widen their lead following a strong start to the season.
They kick off the weekend with a four-point advantage over second-placed Wrexham and an extra game to play, having secured victories in nine of their first 11 matches. However, Mansfield are hot on their heels, and a victory could bring them within two points of Chris Davies’ squad.
The other match being televised is Reading vs Bristol Rovers. The Royals, currently seventh, have enjoyed a successful run, winning four of their last five league games, while Rovers have also been performing well, with three victories in their last four matches.
League Two
Turning to League Two, the selected TV matches are Colchester United vs Salford City and Morecambe vs Chesterfield. Danny Cowley’s U’s have been stuck in a rut, drawing six of their last nine games.
A victory would significantly distance them from the relegation zone, but Salford, who sit four points above them, will certainly have something to say about that. Karl Robinson’s team have suffered three losses in their last six league games, but have managed to collect four points from their last two matches, and seven from their last four.
Meanwhile, Morecambe, languishing at the bottom of the table with just one win from 13 games, will be desperate for a victory against Paul Cook’s side. However, this may prove challenging given Chesterfield’s unbeaten run in their last six league games.
Real Madrid are facing Barcelona this evening (Image: Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
The first El Clasico of the season is set to take place tonight, with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu. The two Spanish powerhouses are currently battling it out at the top of La Liga, separated by a mere three points.
Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, has hit the ground running, guiding the Catalan giants to nine victories in their first 10 league games. Their recent 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night showcased just how lethal they can be against elite competition.
In contrast, while Real Madrid remain undefeated in La Liga, they haven’t quite displayed the same level of fluidity and cohesion as Flick’s squad. The addition of Kylian Mbappe has somewhat muddled their attacking dynamics, and some believe the French star may be responsible for Jude Bellingham’s sluggish start to the season.
However, as demonstrated by their remarkable comeback against Dortmund on Tuesday, Carlo Ancelotti’s team is packed with superstar talent capable of conjuring up moments of brilliance at any given moment, regardless of the opposition. Madrid will also be seeking retribution after suffering a defeat to Barca in a pre-season friendly back in August.
To watch this highly anticipated match, you’ll need a subscription to Premier Sports (previously known as Viaplay Sports). You can sign up here.
Barcelona thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1, thanks to a hattrick from Raphinha (Image: Getty)
Full TV line-up for fixtures on Saturday, October 26
- Everton v Fulham (5:30pm), Sky Sports Premier League
- Bristol City v Leeds United (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Coventry City v Luton Town (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Watford v Blackburn Rovers (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Mansfield Town v Birmingham City (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Reading v Bristol Rovers (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Colchester United v Salford City (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Morecambe v Chesterfield (12:30pm), Sky Sports+
- Real Madrid v Barcelona (8pm), Premier Sports
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1966572/Premier-League-tv-channel-efl