The Premier League revealed on Saturday which matches would be broadcast live on television over the final two gameweeks of April, as well as the rescheduling of six previously postponed events.
It resulted in several odd fixture peculiarities, most notably Tottenham being handed 15 days off before the north London derby on Sunday, April 28.
That encounter, which might yet be rescheduled if Arsenal advances to the Champions League semi-finals, comes during an extremely demanding schedule for the Gunners, who play four times during Spurs’ break period.
According to The Mirror, that fixture, along with numerous other decisions, has sparked outrage among clubs, with some questioning the ‘purity’ of the fixture list and thinking it will play a significant influence in determining the title battle.
In a similar circumstance, Liverpool will travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday, April 24, to face Everton in the Merseyside derby, followed by a Saturday midday kickoff against West Ham – a very short turnaround between games.
However, if Mikel Arteta’s side advances to the Champions League semi-finals, Spurs-Arsenal might take the lunchtime TV slot.
This has caused some scheduling concern for both Liverpool and Arsenal, but championship rivals Manchester City are not affected.
That means Spurs have 15 days off between facing Newcastle and then Arsenal, whereas the Gunners face Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Wolves, and Chelsea – a brutal schedule.
Tottenham’s extended rest, and its potential benefit against Arsenal, are also thought to have consequences in the top-four race, perhaps giving them an advantage over Aston Villa and Manchester United, who do not benefit from such a long period of rest so late in the season.
City’s meeting against Tottenham is one of four outstanding matchups that have yet to be rescheduled, along with Spurs’ trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, the Blues’ away game at Brighton, and Manchester United’s encounter against Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola’s squad has avoided a trip to nightmare team Tottenham in the midst of a difficult run of games, with the meeting postponed owing to their involvement in the FA Cup semi-final.
The trip to Tottenham could have been rescheduled for the week before the north London derby, shortening their break before the meeting with Arsenal, but City’s second postponed fixture against Brighton has been moved into that slot, with the two sides squaring off on Thursday, April 25.
