This Sunday breaks tradition with no 14:00 GMT kickoff.
The 14:00 slot normally dominates the weekend lineup.
Usually at least one Sunday match fills that slot, and this year it’s often doubled because four clubs juggle Europa and Conference fixtures on Thursday, forcing teams to space games out.
Four games opened last Sunday, while just two occupied the classic Saturday 15:00 window.
This weekend flips the script: five Saturday 15:00 clashes and a lone Sunday showdown, Liverpool versus Arsenal at 16:30. For my money, this packed Saturday will boost TV ratings.
Saturday also hosts matches at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00, with a final 20:00 fixture on Monday.
Aston Villa’s Champions League run forces the early Sunday slot to vanish.
Villa had been slated to host Fulham at 14:00 on Sunday.
Because Unai Emery’s side faces Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, Nov 3, the Fulham tie has been shifted to Saturday 20:00. Will Villa’s reshuffled schedule give them extra rest for the Barcelona clash?