Backlash over rejig of fixtures
PREMIER League bosses are facing a backlash over their latest fixture reschedule.
Arsenal are likely to be unhappy as they have a backlog of games, while Tottenham will get 15 days’ rest before the north London derby on Sunday, April 28.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also been left facing his worst nightmare.
The Reds play at Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, April 24 – followed by a trip to West Ham in the Saturday lunchtime slot on April 27.
Tottenham’s game with Manchester City on April 20 has been postponed as Pep Guardiola’s men have a FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea that weekend.
However, rather than reschedule Tottenham v City for the following midweek, the champions will play Brighton instead on Thursday, April 25.
That gives Tottenham a complete break from their game at Newcastle on April 13 until their home clash against Arsenal.
During those 15 days, the Gunners will face Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Wolves and Chelsea.
It could have implications in the title race as well as the battle for top four as Tottenham’s schedule gives them an edge over Villa, who are still in the Europa Conference League.
That has left people at various clubs questioning the “integrity” of the fixture list and the role the rescheduling might play in deciding who wins the title and gets into the top four.
Clearly, the fixture schedule has been left in chaos because of games called off for the FA Cup and also English clubs progressing in Europe.
City’s trip to Tottenham is one of four games which are yet to be rescheduled along with Manchester United v Newcastle,
Chelsea v Tottenham and Brighton v Chelsea.
The Premier League insist that their policy is always to reschedule games at the earliest opportunity.