Why is Brentford vs Arsenal kicking off at 5:30pm? TNT Sports move London derby due to Premier League blockbuster
Brentford and Arsenal clash in a London derby this weekend but fans will notice a strange change to the usual Saturday action.
The Gunners are one point off the top of the Premier League table and will be aiming for a crucial three points as they travel across the capital.
Mikel Arteta’s side take on the Bees who are looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool and get back to winning ways.
Due to unusual circumstances, the game will kick-off in the evening and there is also set to be an unusual difference in the UK broadcast schedule…
Why is Brentford vs Arsenal kicking off at 5:30pm?
Brentford vs Arsenal is kicking off at 5:30pm on Saturday evening after swapping times with Manchester City vs Liverpool.
The London derby was originally scheduled to kick-off at 12:30pm.
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However, it has been changed as a knock-on effect from Man City and Liverpool being denied the evening slot due to concerns over fan trouble.
Manchester’s local safety advisory group that includes the local police did not give permission for the match to go ahead at 5:30pm.
That was due to previous clashes between supporters after a young Man City fan was injured and other fans were racially abused during the last game between the two sides at the Etihad in December.
There were also issues following the league fixture at Anfield last season, with the City team bus reported to have been vandalised as they left Merseyside.
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Therefore, that game was moved to the 12:30pm slot, forcing Brentford and Arsenal to swap and take the early evening kick-off time instead.
Despite the change though, the game will remain on TNT Sports who usually have Saturday’s early kick-off every weekend.
They will now be broadcasting the action at 5:30pm, with Sky Sports instead showing the 12:30pm kick-off after the channels agreed to a swap.
Arsenal will be aiming to keep up with the league leaders who will now be playing before them on Saturday.
And should results go their way, they may be sitting at the top of the Premier League come full-time...
Brentford vs Arsenal: Betting
Match Odds
Brentford - 15/4
Draw - 13/5
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Arsenal - 8/11
*odds correct as of 13:30 21/11/23
See more Premier League odds here
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