No 12.30pm Premier League Kick-off for Second Week in a Row

Premier League fans will not be able to enjoy a 12.30pm kick-off this Saturday for the second week in a row. TNT Sports, the broadcaster holding the 12.30pm slot, has decided not to show any games this weekend.

Typically, Premier League fans can indulge in an early afternoon football fest on TNT Sports, following the BBC's Football Focus and receiving updates on the 3pm games from Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports. However, this weekend, supporters will have to wait until 3pm for their football fix.

Last weekend, the absence of a 12.30pm kick-off was due to Arsenal's Champions League match against Porto. As a result, Arsenal faced Newcastle on Saturday night instead of in the afternoon.

TNT Sports holds the Saturday 12.30pm slot in the current broadcast deal with the Premier League. They have the rights to screen 52 live matches each season, divided into the lunchtime slot and midweek evening fixtures. However, for the third weekend this season, TNT Sports has chosen not to use one of their 52 games, resulting in no game at 12.30pm.

Instead, there will be a total of six kick-offs at 3pm, including matches between Newcastle and Wolves, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, Brentford and Chelsea, Everton and West Ham, and Fulham and Brighton.

Premier League fans need not worry, as TNT Sports will resume showing games from March 9, starting with the clash between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford.