Football on TV today – Why no Premier League match at 12.30pm and what to watch in the UK

Domestic football is back after an exhilarating midweek of European action. With the next international break not scheduled until mid-November, teams can now focus on building momentum heading into the festive period.

However, the absence of a Premier League match at 12.30pm today has left some fans perplexed. Following last night's East Midlands derby between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest, five more Premier League matches are scheduled for this afternoon. But that's not all: three league matches will also be televised, as well as two each from League One and League Two.

Additionally, one of the most anticipated matches in European football will take place later tonight. Here, Express sport provides all the details, including which games are being broadcast, how to watch them and the reason for the glaring absence of the early kickoff.

Why is there no Premier League match at 12:30 p.m.?

The midday kick-off has become an important part of the Premier League schedule, but today fans will have to wait until 3pm for top-flight football to begin. The simple explanation is that no games were chosen for the television broadcast.

Under the Premier League's current broadcast deal, TNT Sports fills the 12:30 p.m. slot every Saturday. The company, which owns the majority of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League football rights in the UK, broadcasts just 52 Premier League matches each season.

Of those, 20 matches are broadcast over two rounds of midweek matches that TNT has secured, leaving them with only 32 choices remaining. Since there are 36 extra days scheduled throughout the season, TNT was forced to leave four Saturdays vacant, including one today.

Premier League

Only one Premier League match is broadcast today: Everton v Fulham at Goodison Park. The match, which kicks off at 5.30pm, will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

The teams are currently in contrasting form, with Sean Dyche's Toffees unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches, including two wins in their last three. On the other hand, Fulham have started the new season on a high, suffering just one defeat in their first six games. However, back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Aston Villa have changed the atmosphere at Craven Cottage, and Marco Silva will be eager to bounce back with a victory.

If they secure a victory, they will overtake Tottenham and Newcastle and equal Chelsea's points total, although all three teams will still have a game in hand. Everton, who started the weekend dangerously close to the relegation zone, could match Fulham's points tally with a win – and victory by three goals or more would see them leapfrog their west London opponents.

Championship

Of the three televised Championship matches, Leeds United v Bristol City is undoubtedly the most remarkable lighting fixture. Daniel Farke's side, currently third, are eager to rectify last season's play-off final defeat to Southampton and return to the top flight.

They started the season impressively, with six wins and just one loss in their first 11 matches. Conversely, the Robins, entering their 10th consecutive season in the second division, have had a typically poor start, with three wins, six draws and two defeats to date. Their record against Leeds is particularly dismal, with just one win and 15 defeats in their last 18 meetings with the Whites, a streak dating back to 2010.

Coventry City v Luton Town And Watford v Blackburn were also both chosen for television coverage. Coventry and Luton have had disappointing starts to their campaigns, each suffering six defeats so far. Meanwhile, just three points separate Watford and Blackburn, who both have aspirations of reaching the play-offs this season. All three matches will kick off at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.

League 1

In League One, the spotlight will be on Mansfield Town v Birmingham City match. Leaders Birmingham are looking to extend their lead after a strong start to the season.

They begin the weekend with a four-point advantage over second-placed Wrexham with a further game to play, having won nine of their opening 11 matches. However, Mansfield are hot on their heels and a win could bring them within two points of Chris Davies' side.

The other televised match is Reading against Bristol Rovers. The Royals, currently seventh, have enjoyed a run of success, winning four of their last five league games, while Rovers have also performed well, with three wins in their last four games.

League Two

Concerning Ligue 2, the selected TV matches are Colchester United v Salford City And Morecambe v Chesterfield. Danny Cowley's U's have remained stuck in a rut, drawing six of their last nine games.

A win would move them significantly clear of the relegation zone, but Salford, who sit four points above them, will certainly have something to say about that. Karl Robinson's side have suffered three defeats in their last six league matches, but have managed to pick up four points from their last two matches and seven from their last four.

Meanwhile, Morecambe, who are languishing at the bottom of the table with just one win in 13 games, will be desperate for a victory against Paul Cook's side. However, this may prove difficult given Chesterfield's unbeaten run in their last six league matches.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

The first El Clasico of the season takes place tonight, with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu. The two Spanish powers currently face each other at the top of La Liga, separated by just three points.

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has taken over, guiding the Catalan giants to nine wins in their first 10 league matches. Their recent 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night showed just how deadly they can be against elite competition.

On the other hand, although Real Madrid remain undefeated in La Liga, they have not quite displayed the same level of fluidity and cohesion as Flick's team. The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has muddled their attacking dynamic somewhat, and some believe the French star could be responsible for Jude Bellingham's slow start to the season.

However, as his remarkable comeback against Dortmund on Tuesday demonstrated, Carlo Ancelotti's team is full of superstars capable of conjuring up moments of genius at any time, regardless of the opposition. Madrid will also be looking for revenge after suffering a defeat against Barca in a pre-season friendly in August.

To watch this highly anticipated match, you will need a subscription to Premier Sports (formerly Viaplay Sports). You can register here.

Complete TV schedule for the matches on Saturday October 26

• Everton v Fulham (5:30 p.m.), Sky Sports Premier League
• Bristol City v Leeds United (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Coventry City v Luton Town (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Watford v Blackburn Rovers (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Mansfield Town v Birmingham City (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Reading against Bristol Rovers (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Colchester United v Salford City (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Morecambe v Chesterfield (12:30 p.m.), Sky Sports+
• Real Madrid v Barcelona (8 p.m.), Premier Sports