Fixtures backlog chaos

PREMIER League bosses are facing a backlash over their latest fixture reschedule.

Arsenal are likely to be unhappy as they face 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 been left facing his worst nightmare with the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday April 24 before Liverpool go to West Ham for the Saturday lunchtime TV slot on April 27.

Tottenham’s game with Manchester City on April 20 has been postponed because Pep Guardiola’s men have an FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea that weekend.

However, rather than reschedule Tottenham v City for the following midweek, Guardiola’s men will play Brighton on Thursday, April 25.

That gives Tottenham a complete break from their game at Newcastle on April 13 until they play Arsenal.

During those 15 days, Arsenal will face four games – with Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Wolves and their rearranged game with 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.

City now face a potentially easier game against Brighton earlier on rather than another trip to Tottenham, which had been a bogey ground for them until their FA Cup win in January.

Clearly, the fixture schedule has been left in chaos because of games called off for the FA Cup and also English clubs progressing in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.