The "controversial planned Christmas Eve match between Arsenal and Liverpool" could now kick off at 12:30pm -- and be the only Premier League fixture that day, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. It is understood a "lunchtime start" for a game that would be shown live by Sky Sports is being discussed "amid the logistical problems of staging it" on Dec. 24 and "supporter opposition to the scheduling." Negotiations are "ongoing" about what would be the second-ever Premier League Christmas Eve match and "the first for 22 years." Other fixtures have also been considered for a Dec. 24 broadcast, including ManU's trip to Leicester City and Chelsea's game at Everton. But these look "increasingly likely" to be played on the evening of Dec. 22 "and the following lunchtime." The clubs are against the idea of Christmas Eve games for "a number of reasons" but also recognize they have an obligation to honor a £4.25B ($5.64B), three-year deal with Sky, which paid, on average, £11M ($14.6M) per game for its rights (TELEGRAPH, 10/12).
