Why there are TWO 5:30pm Premier League games this weekend with Arsenal and Chelsea in bizarre clash

Arsenal and Chelsea will both kick-off their Premier League matches at 5.30pm on Saturday in a unique fixture quirk.

The Saturday teatime slot traditionally holds just one Premier League match but fans will be treated to a double header this weekend.

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The Gunners continue their title charge when Everton head to the Emirates Stadium while Chelsea face a tough test in their hopes of a top-four finish at home to Newcastle.

Chelsea’s match with Newcastle was the original choice in the slot with Arsenal’s clash set to take place on Sunday.

But the Gunners’ progression in the Champions League saw the game brought forward by 24 hours.

Arsenal, who secured a late 1-1 in their round-of-16 first leg with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, host the Bundesliga outfit next Tuesday, live on talkSPORT.

Tuesday was the only possible day to play the second leg due to north London rivals Tottenham hosting Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

If the Premier League opted against moving Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Everton then Mikel Arteta’s men would have played their home matches against Everton and Bayer Leverkusen just 54 hours apart.

The Premier League aims to schedule at least a 72-hour gap between kick-off times to protect player welfare.

How to follow Arsenal vs Everton and Chelsea vs Newcastle

Both fixtures will take place at 5.30pm this Saturday.

Fans can follow the action on talkSPORT as part of Gameday Phone-in with Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy from 5.30pm.

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Both matches will be broadcast live and simultaneously on Sky Sports.

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Arsenal vs Everton: Preview

Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they host Everton this weekend.

Victory over Brighton in their previous league fixture and Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, handed the Gunners a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

And that could extend to ten points before City kick off against West Ham on Saturday evening with a win over David Moyes’ side.

But Arsenal could have their work cut out against an Everton side who are unbeaten on the road since December.

Chelsea vs Newcastle: Preview

Chelsea will be hoping to put their midweek Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain behind them for the visit of the Magpies.

The Blues were beaten 5-2 at the Parc des Princes in a match that saw boss Liam Rosenior’s decision to start goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen over Robert Sanchez failing to pay off.

Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, four points adrift on fourth-placed Aston Villa in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Sandwiched in between the double header with PSG, Chelsea face a Newcastle side with one eye on their Champions League second leg against Barcelona next Wednesday.

The 12th-placed Magpies were pegged back in added time in midweek when Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw.

The Champions League arguably presents Eddie Howe’s men with their best opportunity of qualifying for the competition again next season.