Premier League facing fixture chaos in 2024/25 which could impact Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea
The Premier League is set for a scheduling nightmare as the fixture list for the 2024/25 season has been revealed, with several clashes already guaranteed.
Top-flight clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea should Mauricio Pochettino's side climb to sixth place, could be facing up to three midweek fixture clashes between European matches and the Carabao Cup. It also highlights the lack of room in the calendar for FA Cup replays, given that two Champions League match rounds are scheduled for the last two midweeks of January.
This means that FA Cup replays during the third and fourth rounds are unfeasible due to the eight Champions League matches in the new format, compared to the current six group games. FA chiefs feel they were forced into this decision.
The first date conflict next season is set for September, during the midweek of 17/18th, as the third round of the Carabao Cup - when top-flight clubs in European competition enter - coincides with the first Champions League match day, reports the Daily Star. The following week's schedule includes the first Europa League match day, with the third round of the Carabao Cup also slated for September 24/25th.
Top-flight clubs might have to juggle their Carabao Cup fixtures, with Champions League participants potentially playing on September 24/25th and Europa League teams the week before.
UEFA has already made the decision to give the Europa League its own "exclusive" midweek spotlight for the opening matches. The Carabao Cup quarter-finals are set to clash with the Europa Conference League match day six on December 18th, and there's no easy solution in sight.
READ MORE: Arsenal can prove title credentials by passing huge test Liverpool have already failed
READ MORE: The only way Tottenham can qualify for the Champions League if they finish 5th in Premier League
However, there's no such drama for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, as the EFL is keeping the two-legged ties in January. The EFL believes they'll have to squeeze the matches into an already busy calendar.
Meanwhile, UEFA are distancing themselves from any date clashes, instructing national bodies to resolve it themselves without expecting any concessions from Europe's football chiefs. Last week, the FA dropped a shock announcement, revealing a six-year deal with the Premier League to eliminate FA Cup replays, sweetening the deal with £33m for grassroots football and promising a more relaxed summer break.
However, the EFL are furious, claiming they've been overlooked in the decision-making process. Their clubs are protesting over the shake-up, with chief executive Trevor Birch labelling it "disappointing and frustrating" and he's advocating for compensation to cover their revenue losses.