Why is Nottingham Forest v Brentford the only Premier League game this Sunday?

The Premier League action comes thick and fast this weekend with the top ten clubs all playing on Saturday.

European contenders Aston Villa and Brighton will kickstart game week seven in the early slot, exclusively live on talkSPORT.

talkSPORT will then broadcast Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth as one of the six 3pm fixtures on September’s final day.

In-form Tottenham and Liverpool have been chosen as the television pick for Saturday’s late game, but curiously that has left just one game airing to start October on Sunday.

Nottingham Forest host Brentford, with Fulham’s London derby with Chelsea taking place on Monday instead.

Why is there only one Premier League game this Sunday?

There is no official reason as to why Sky Sports have opted against filling both slots of their ‘Super Sunday’ schedule.

However, it is most likely due to Sunday, October 1 being the opening day of the Women’s Super League.

Sky has committed to showing up to 44 WSL matches during the 2023/24 campaign as part of their broadcasting deal to help grow the women’s game.

And Sky will hope fans stay tuned for the derby between Chelsea and Tottenham that will follow their coverage of Forest against Brentford rather than try and compete for viewers with a different Premier League game.

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Another reason could be Sky’s coverage of the Ryder Cup this weekend.

The TV station hold the rights to the showpiece golf competition and will be showing all the action on Sunday.

Sky may have elected to keep Sunday afternoon free as they also want as many punters glued to the Ryder Cup as possible.

As always, TNT Sports’ main slot is the Saturday 12.30pm kick-off while Amazon Prime’s first matchday won’t be until December so another broadcaster couldn’t choose a separate Premier League game to screen.

Another factor to consider would be European commitments, with Manchester United, Newcastle, Man City and Arsenal all having to play Saturday due to their involvement in the Champions League.

Three of the teams in the Europa League and Europa Conference League have already been chosen for Saturday’s TV coverage.

Of the remaining available teams, a potential lack of police resources and security would be an issue.

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West Ham could theoretically play this Sunday due to being in the Europa League as David Moyes’ men host Sheffield United.

But West Ham Women are also at home that day, as are fellow WSL London sides Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs.

That leaves just Everton, who play at home to Luton Town at Goodison Park a day before Everton Women battle Brighton over the road at Walton Hall.

However, the Hatters cannot play on Sunday, as their previously postponed fixture against Burnley has been rescheduled to Tuesday.

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