Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace today for an unusual kick-off time of 12pm at Selhurst Park.
Amad holds off Crystal Palace challenges during Manchester United’s last trip to Selhurst Park(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Crystal Palace’s participation in the Europa Conference League this season has led to Manchester United playing at the unusual time of midday on Sunday afternoon. Supporters were left scratching their heads when the game at Crystal Palace this weekend was moved to the unusually early time.
Ordinarily, Premier League matches kick off at 8pm on a Friday or Monday night, 12.30pm, 3pm or 5.30pm on a Saturday and 2pm or 4.30pm on a Sunday. However, sometimes the Premier League has to use unconventional time slots due to clubs participating in Europe and this is the case this weekend.
Palace played away at Strasbourg on Thursday night in the Europa Conference League meaning their game would need to be played on Sunday or Monday. We have seen games kick off at 2pm this season if at least one club has been in action on Thursday night.
But this could not be used this weekend as TNT Sports has chosen the match for live coverage. The broadcaster would usually show the game at 12.30pm on a Saturday and they are unable to move the fixture to 2pm because these slots are reserved for Sky Sports matches.
With a full schedule of midweek matches in the Premier League next week, a late kick-off at 7pm on Sunday was not available, leaving midday as the only time available for the match.
The first train leaving Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday is at 8.05am and will arrive at London Euston just an hour before kick-off. The Premier League states they work with local authorities to announce changes around six weeks before fixture dates to allow fans to make travel arrangements for matches.
Should United win on Sunday, they will move a point above Palace in the Premier League table.
