Why did Hull vs Sunderland kick-off at 3pm this Sunday? Championship clash handed strange time after fixture change
Yesterday at 10:51 AM
Championship football returns this weekend but Hull and Sunderland have had to wait longer than others to get back on the pitch.
The second tier restarted after the international break on Friday, with a busy schedule of games taking place on Saturday too.
However, league leaders Sunderland have had to wait to play against Hull until all other teams have played after their fixture date was changed.
And talkSPORT.com has taken a look at why this was the case…
Why is Hull vs Sunderland on Sunday?
Hull vs Sunderland is being played on a Sunday as it was chosen for TV coverage.
The game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
A 3pm kick-off is the typical Sunday start time when a Championship game is moved, with two more fixtures set for the time in the coming weeks.
The date change from an original 3pm Saturday kick-off was confirmed three months ago in July, with Hull releasing a statement.
It read: "Six of Hull City's Sky Bet Championship fixtures have been selected for live Sky Sports coverage, with two other matches moved…
"A brace of home matches against North East opposition will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football: Sunderland on Sunday 20 October at 3pm and Middlesbrough on New Year's Day at 5:30pm."
It is no surprise that this game was moved for TV coverage as it is a meeting between two Northern rivals.
Sunderland are top of the Championship after winning six of their first nine games under Regis Le Bris, drawing with Leeds last time out.
Hull turned around their poor start to the campaign just before the break, winning three straight games to rise up the table.
A heavy defeat to Norwich sent them into the break on a negative spin though, but Tim Walter's side will be confident they can return to winning ways.
It's set to be a thriller, so if you are unable to watch the game this weekend talkSPORT will have you covered.
Sam Matterface will keep you up to date on all the action on the Sunday Session.
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