Leeds United are scheduled to play our seventh Monday night fixture of the season when we take on Spurs in May, above the initial threshold of fixtures Sky Sports intended for each club.
United’s relegation run-in continues after an FA Cup clash with rivals West Ham this weekend. Both sides would likely trade guaranteed safety for a good FA Cup run.
For Leeds, the run-in is somewhat favourable, relatively speaking. There are a few mouthwatering six-pointers though, including away trips in May to both Spurs and the Irons.
Sky Sports confirm Spurs v Leeds United to take place on Monday 11th May
In the latest wave of confirmed televised fixtures, it’s no surprise that United’s trip to Spurs is due to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
On top of Leeds and Spurs being two of the bigger draws in the Premier League, our direct rivalry in the relegation scrap makes for interesting viewing.
The fixture has been given an extra degree of intrigue by the confirmation of ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as Spurs’ new boss. He replaces Igor Tudor on an eye-watering five-year contract as one of the highest-paid managers in the league.
Our trip to North London is now due to take place on Monday 11th May at 8pm, on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
BBC reporter Dale Johnson explains why Sky Sports can bend rules on Leeds United fixture issue
In Leeds’ seven remaining games this season, three of them are either on a Monday or Friday night.
The BBC’s Dale Johnson has raised the issue this week. He outlined that, at the start of the season, Sky Sports (as the chief broadcaster) set out to ensure clubs would not be on either of those fixture slots more than five times in a season.
Leeds’ trip to Spurs now means we’re onto seven fixtures to be played on a Monday or Friday. That’s two above the supposed threshold.
Johnson explains how the volume of English teams competing Europe this season is to blame for Leeds’ fixtures being move around to Mondays and Fridays constantly.
“A team playing in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League is effectively shielded. In numerous weeks of the season they cannot play a Premier League game on a Friday or Monday,” Johnson writes. “This has been made worse by the expanded format of European football taking up four additional midweeks.
“If clubs in Europe also progress in the EFL Cup, they are locked out of further midweeks. That leaves the other clubs to fill the slots. But not all are equally attractive for TV coverage.
“Sky Sports naturally wants to show the biggest teams and the best games. And when nine teams are ruled out, the remaining clubs with the largest followings will be most attractive.”
Fans come last again for Leeds United as Spurs trip falls on awkward time
Unsurprisingly, Leeds fans are being put last by the broadcasters and the league in terms of priorities. It’s something that has been the case all season.
Prior to the break, Brentford had to come to Elland Road at 8pm on a Saturday. There was no train route back to London that night.
Of course, the broadcasters are somewhat tied to working with the clubs not playing in Europe. So, a big club like Leeds that aren’t in Europe are going to be Sky’s cash cow.
That being said, it’s far from ideal that our fans are again travelling for an impractical away day. We’ll still sell out, though.
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