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.
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