Arsenal take on Wolves on Saturday. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal and Liverpool fans could be set for another weekend of despair in the Premier League title race if the top-flight table issued by Sky Sports is anything to go by. Following Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Everton on Monday Night Football, the broadcaster provided viewers with their customary update of how things now lie, but only after appearing to factor in the results of two games not even played yet.
The gaffe was quickly pounced upon by fans of the Gunners, joking that they now feared another two-goal loss this weekend that will effectively end their title chances. But they weren’t the only team altered, with Liverpool’s new statistics even more baffling.
The Reds were in third, but like Arsenal, their game with Fulham on Sunday seemed to have already been factored in. And fans of the Reds will be hoping the ‘prediction’ doesn’t ring true, given it would mean come Monday they too will be on 33 games played having narrowly lost, with their points tally still 71 but their goal difference down from +41 to +40.
Liverpool were 'predicted' more pain against Fulham. (Image: Getty)
Even stranger than that though, the premature three points awarded to the Cottagers had them placed 10th, up from their current position of 12th. But despite Liverpool’s goal difference only going down one, Fulham’s rises from -2 to zero, suggesting as well as winning they find a bonus goal from somewhere.
A number of Man City fans amusingly lauded the new table, having been inadvertently given a game in hand after returning to the top of the table. Pep Guardiola’s men are not in league action on Saturday because of their FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley.
Of course, the errors are almost certainly down to a malfunction behind the scenes at Sky Sports, as opposed to any attempt to catch fans out or make bold predictions. But the broadcaster has since been the subject of ridicule from supporters of multiple clubs who joke that they have 'leaked' what will happen this weekend.
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Sky’s monopoly on English football has undoubtedly been weakened in the past decade, following the emergence of TNT Sports. In December, the Premier League finalised a new four-year deal with both companies, as well as the BBC, over the rights to show live football and free-to-air highlights from the 2025/26 season onwards.
It was duly announced Sky Sports will cover a minimum of 215 live matches per season, and for the first time, will broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of the campaign. TNT Sports meanwhile, will cover 52 live matches per season.
