If it looks like you haven’t seen the Premier League for a long time, that’s because you haven’t. In fact, there were proposals that there would be no Premier League until October, so it would be a month without the English top flight.
For six teams, that is the case. There are three games, Manchester United-Leeds, Brighton-Crystal Palace and a long-awaited Chelsea-Liverpool that are postponed due to situations related to the Queen’s funeral.
Regardless, there are still seven games on the schedule for Premier League fans. However, after that, there is the international break in September. The break lasts two weeks, since the international teams play two or three games.
The highlights of this weekend’s abbreviated Premier League calendar are up for debate. There is no game that really jumps out at you. However, a number of games are quietly intriguing.
There are two games on Friday to start the weekend. Villa host Southampton at the same time as two promoted teams, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, battle it out.
The following day, Tottenham host a struggling Leicester City to cap off three games on the schedule. Tottenham is unpredictable. A 2-0 loss in the Champions League is the most recent result. Regardless, Spurs sit in third place after six games, while Leicester are still looking for their first win of the season.
Sunday also brings a couple of interesting games. It’s a 7am kick-off between Brentford and Arsenal. The two London clubs want to continue with a decent start to the season. Brentford Community Stadium has not been kind to visitors this season.
Ultimately, Everton and West Ham meet in the weekend’s final from Goodison Park.
NBC coverage
There’s sure to be a lot to talk about between the NBC crew, which consists of Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Mustoe and Tim Howard on Saturday and Sunday. Friday’s coverage keeps Mustoe but includes Ahmed Fareed and Danny Higginbotham.
This weekend’s games are spread out, to say the least. The only overlap in the schedule comes in the two games on Friday. Therefore, there is no Goal Rush, as there is no need to bounce between games. It is effectively the antithesis of Championship Sunday, where all 20 teams play at the same time.
Make sure to watch the Premier League in 4K, if possible. This weekend, there is only one 4K game. Wolves host Manchester City in 4K, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30am on Saturday.
EPL commentators on NBC; September 16 to 18
All times below are US Eastern Time.
Friday, September 16
15:00 Aston Villa vs. Southampton. USA Network, Universe, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. —Joe Speight and Andy Townsend.
15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham. Premium Peacock — Rob Palmer and David Phillips.
Saturday, September 17
7:30 a.m. – Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City. USA Network, Universe, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — IN 4K. —Stewart Gardner and Jim Beglin.
10am: Newcastle v Bournemouth. USA Network, Universe, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. —Pien Meulensteen and Stephen Warnock.
12:30 p.m.: Tottenham vs. Leicester City. NBC, Universe, Peacock Premium, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. —Peter Drury and Graeme Le Saux.
Sunday, September 18
7am – Brentford v Arsenal. USA Network, Telemundo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — Jim Proudfoot and Efan Ekoku.
9:15 a.m. – Everton vs. West Ham United. USA Network, Telemundo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — Conor McNamara and Stephen Warnock.
