Unusual Newcastle United vs West Ham Premier League kick-off time explained

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Off the bench to score late again please 🫡

It is a huge game for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who desperately need to improve their recent away form if they are to stand any realistic hope of staying up this season.

The game is scheduled for the slightly unusual kick-off time of 5.30pm BST on a Sunday afternoon. Here’s why.

Premier League schedule moved because of FA Cup final

Sunday games in the Premier League usually take place at 2pm or 4.30pm.

However, the Football Association (FA) struck a deal with the Premier League last summer to ensure that no other top-flight fixtures were played in England on the same day as the FA Cup final.

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Our away record has been woeful this season! 😬

That was played at Wembley between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s side emerging victorious.

As such, almost the entire Premier League schedule was moved to Sunday, aside from a few notable exceptions.

Aston Villa played and beat Liverpool on Friday night, while Arsenal host Burnley on Monday. Beaten FA Cup finalists Chelsea host Spurs on Tuesday night at 8.15pm BST, while City travel to Bournemouth half an hour before then.

Newcastle versus West Ham was also selected for television coverage, which partly explains why it is being played at a relatively unique time.

This is a huge game for the Hammers, and all eyes will be on how Nuno approaches it after last weekend’s disappointment at Arsenal.

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