Why does the Premier League game between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest kick off so early on Monday?

Premier League fans are more than used to games being played on different days of the week by now, with Thursday and Friday fixtures the most recent additions to the English top flight’s schedule. Monday matches date back to the league’s formation in 1992, but this Monday promises to be an unorthodox one.

Two Monday fixtures, one unusual kickoff

Not only are there two Monday games, Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest and Everton vs Manchester City, but one of them kicks off at a highly unusual time.

The match between the Toffees and City will get going at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT), the regular slot for a Monday fixture in the Premier League. However, Chelsea’s home clash against Forest starts at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT), bringing some unexpected early action.

Why does Chelsea vs Forest start so early?

Premier League Monday matches typically kick off later in the day to give local supporters, many of whom are working during daytime hours, the chance to attend.

This Monday, however, is the first Monday in May, a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. That public holiday means significant numbers of fans are off work and free to head to Stamford Bridge earlier than usual.

Big stakes in the Premier League this Monday

Both Monday games could have major implications at different ends of the Premier League table.

Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Aston Villa on Sunday means Forest are now just three points clear of the relegation zone. A win in London would open up a six-point gap with three games remaining, while a loss would set up a nervous finish to the season.

Chelsea, currently ninth, are chasing European qualification, which they can only secure by finishing in the top seven. A sixth-place finish, four points away, could still bring Champions League football if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League.

Eleventh-placed Everton, one point behind Chelsea, are also pushing for Europe next season. The real headline at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, though, is City’s title chase. Pep Guardiola’s side are six points behind leaders Arsenal but could draw level by winning their two games in hand.

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