Manchester United have been handed a boost with their next Premier League game against Burnley kicking off late this weekend.
The Red Devils are on a miserable run of form with a 3-1 loss to Brighton making it three defeats from four games domestically.
Erik ten Hag’s side will look to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start when they face Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
But United will then face a quick turnaround, with their Premier League trip to Burnley scheduled to take place just three days later.
Why is Burnley v Man United at 8pm?
This game was rescheduled for television purposes having been picked for broadcast by TNT Sports.
It was originally set to take place at 3pm the same day, but it wasn’t moved to TNT’s main slot, which is the Saturday 12.30pm kick-off.
That is because the Premier League agreed last season that clubs playing in Europe on Wednesday nights were not be expected to play in the early weekend fixture.
TNT’s compromise was to instead look at other kick-off times rather than forfeit its selected matches, such was the case when Manchester City beat Newcastle 1-0 last month days after winning the Super Cup.
And with United away in Munich on Wednesday, the only available slot to play Burnley on Saturday was 8pm.
Sky Sports occupy the 5:30pm slot and are screening Brentford against Everton, with TNT looking to maximise their viewers by avoiding a clash of games.
Andrew Georgiou, President of Sports at Discovery, told the Times: “We are happy to have the 12.30 kick-off that we purchased as part of the package but the reality is the clubs and the league have agreed that if there is a club playing in the Champions League on a Wednesday night they cannot play in the 12.30pm Saturday kick-off.
“At 12.30pm on the Saturday, it’s perfect for us, it’s our time slot. Unfortunately the Premier League and the clubs have agreed that if that happens it can’t start at 12.30pm so we have to find another slot.
“I don’t think we can be asked to change our picks. What we have to do is find out the best time-slot to accommodate the club’s needs and our needs in terms of which matches we pick.
“I don’t think we should be expected to change our picks on the basis of who is playing on a Wednesday night.
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Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as pundits share score prediction ahead of Burnley clash in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest will be looking to make it two wins out of two when they take on Burnley at the City Ground this evening (7:45pm).
Steve Cooper’s team recorded a big win at Chelsea before the international break, while the visitors will be looking to get their first point of the season on the board. Ahead of the clash, the Clarets will be without defender Hjalmar Ekdal, winger Darko Churlinov and striker Michael Obafemi.
But head coach Vincent Kompany will welcome back Aaron Ramsey and Vitinho to the fold. As for the Reds, there is hope Felipe will return after sustaining a knee injury, while Danilo is a doubt.
READ MORE: Vincent Kompany makes bold Burnley admission ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
READ MORE: Callum Hudson-Odoi explains how Steve Cooper was key in Nottingham Forest transfer
Speaking ahead of tonight’s clash, both Chris Sutton and Paul Merson have agreed that the Reds will claim their third win of the season.
Sutton wrote BBC Sport predictions column: “Burnley have already lost as many league games – three – as they did when they won the Championship last season.
A lot of people got excited about them because of the way they played expansive football to win promotion under Vincent Kompany, but this is the Premier League, and you’ve got to be able to defend if you want to pick up points.
“That is their issue at the moment. They have got some very good young players and I like the idea of what they are trying to do, but there also has to be an element of being practical too.
The Clarets beat Forest at the City Ground in the Carabao Cup last month but both teams made a lot of changes. This time, I am expecting Steve Cooper’s side to come out on top.
“They have got a bit more nous about them and although they will miss Brennan Johnson after his move to Tottenham, Taiwo Awoniyi is absolutely flying at the moment.”
Sutton’s prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Burnley.
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley decision labelled ‘stupid’ ahead of Premier League .
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