Game scheduled for Sunday at noon: Newcastle versus Chelsea, a significant encounter in the quest for Champions League, with an unexpected kick-off time.
Chelsea's Europa Conference League Tussle Causes Weekend Shift against Newcastle
Get ready for a Premier League thriller this weekend as Chelsea take on Newcastle, but the match's start time has left fans a tad perplexed.
Both teams are battling for a spot in the Champions League, and this game couldn't be more pivotal. Newcastle is currently in a top-four position on goals scored, but their recent draw with Brighton allowed Chelsea to close the gap. A win for the Blues could see them overtake their opponents and take a significant step towards Europe's elite.
It's not just Newcastle and Chelsea who are in a neck-and-neck race; Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are also in the mix, making this game a must-watch.
So, why is the match starting at an unusual time? The answer lies with Chelsea's participation in the Europa Conference League. Their upcoming semi-final against Djurgarden on Thursday demands their full attention, leaving them unable to play on the following Saturday, thus causing a fixture change.
A Newcastle club statement confirmed the switch, explaining that the game will now take place on Sunday, May 11th, at 12pm BST, instead of the initially scheduled 12:30pm BST on Saturday, May 10th. The match will still be broadcast live on TNT Sports.
Typically, TNT Sports show the 12:30pm kick-off on a Saturday, but they're making use of the 12pm Sunday slot this time around. This move means that UK viewers will enjoy three live games on TV on Sunday afternoon. Sky Sports will also broadcast Nottingham Forest vs Leicester and Liverpool vs Arsenal following Newcastle vs Chelsea.
Newcastle vs Chelsea: talkSPORT Coverage
If you're intrigued about this weekend's game, you're in luck! talkSPORT will provide live and exclusive coverage from St. James' Park. Reshmin Chowdhury will host, while commentary comes from Sam Matterface and former England defender Danny Mills. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2, simply click HERE for the live stream.
Remarks from the Camp
Newcastle's Dan Burn has labeled this game as a 'cup final'. Speaking about the Champions League race, Burn said, "As long as we're picking up points and ticking over, that's what you want. We're always quite a positive group who believe what the gaffer is doing. We always feel like we're mentally where we want to be... It is a cup final, really - it's huge."
Don't miss out on this riveting encounter between Chelsea and Newcastle, and prepare yourself for a nail-biting race for the Champions League spot!
Enrichment Data:
Behind the scenes, the rescheduling of the Newcastle vs Chelsea match is a result of Chelsea's participation in the Europa Conference League, a competition that can impact Premier League fixture timing due to its scheduling overlaps[3]. While the specific reason for the exact timing isn't provided, Premier League fixtures can change due to clubs' involvement in UEFA competitions, TV scheduling, policing requirements, and other logistical considerations[3][5].
- The upcoming Premier League game between Chelsea and Newcastle is being broadcast live on TNT Sports, originally scheduled for 12:30pm BST on Saturday, but has been shifted to Sunday, May 11th at 12pm BST due to Chelsea's participation in the Europa Conference League.
- The rescheduling of the Newcastle vs Chelsea match is not an isolated incident; it is a result of overlaps between Premier League fixtures and UEFA competitions, such as the Europa Conference League.
- In the race for the Champions League, both Newcastle and Chelsea are closing in on the top-four positions, with Newcastle currently holding the advantage on goals scored.
- The Champions League is not the only European competition that matters for these teams, as Chelsea is also competing in the Champions League and both teams have ambitions in the European leagues.
- Dan Burn of Newcastle has labeled the upcoming game against Chelsea as a 'cup final', reflecting the importance of the match in the race for the Champions League spot.
