Why is there no 12:30pm Premier League game this weekend? Fans must wait for top-flight action

Premier League fans are going to have to wait longer than usual to get their football fix this Saturday afternoon…

Typically, the first top-flight game each Saturday kicks off at 12:30pm, but there will be no early start this weekend.

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Instead, the three fixtures scheduled for 3pm are going to be the first bit of top-flight action of the day.

Chelsea will be hosting Burnley, Aston Villa are set to be taking on Leeds United and Brentford are facing Brighton.

But what is the reason for there being no early kick-off on Saturday? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Why is there no 12:30pm game this weekend?

Originally, there was meant to be a 12:30pm start in the Premier League on Saturday, February 21.

However, there was a fixture change at the start of the month.

Manchester City vs Newcastle was scheduled to take place in the early slot, with the game live on TNT Sports.

But as the Magpies are playing away in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs on Wednesday, the game was moved.

Man City released a statement on the enforced change, writing: “The kick-off time for City’s Premier League fixture at home to Newcastle later this month has been moved from 12.30 to 20.00 (UK).”

“Pep Guardiola’s side play host to the Magpies at the Etihad on Saturday, February 21 in a key league assignment.

“The kick-off time has been revised due to Newcastle’s involvement in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 play-off tie the previous Wednesday away to Qarabag.”

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So, the game between City and Newcastle remains on TNT Sports, but will kick off at 8pm instead.

talkSPORT will also have live coverage of the game from the Etihad.

Ian Danter will be your host, with commentary coming from Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. Listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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There may not be an early kick-off on Saturday, but there is still a full set of Premier League fixtures coming up.

As mentioned, Chelsea vs Burnley, Aston Villa vs Leeds and Brentford vs Brighton are all lined up for 3pm on Saturday.

West Ham are then taking on Bournemouth at 5:30pm, with the rearranged Man City vs Newcastle game at 8pm.

Then, on Sunday, there are four fixtures to look forward to, as Crystal Palace host Wolves, Nottingham Forest play Liverpool and Sunderland take on Fulham at 2pm.

The north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham then takes centre stage from 4:30pm.

On Monday, Manchester United travel to face Everton, with that game also live on talkSPORT.

Commentary will be coming from Jim Proudfoot and former Man United captain Steve Bruce.