Premier League clubs' average Match of the Day positions revealed
- Gary Lineker shared the average running order positions of Premier League clubs on Match of the Day during a podcast.
- Liverpool and Manchester City had the highest average positions, while Nottingham Forest fans criticized the coverage of their recent win.
- The discussion highlighted how match significance and timing affect the running order decisions made by the BBC.
During an episode of 'The Rest is Football' podcast, Gary Lineker discussed the average running order positions of Premier League clubs on Match of the Day for the 2023/24 season. He revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City shared the top spot, indicating their prominence in the league. The conversation arose after Nottingham Forest fans criticized the show for not airing their victory over Liverpool first, as Aston Villa's match against Everton was prioritized instead. Lineker explained that the selection of matches for the running order is influenced by the significance of the games, particularly focusing on title contenders as the season progresses. He noted that the timing of the season also plays a role in these decisions, with early matches receiving less emphasis compared to those later in the campaign. The average positions for all clubs were shared, highlighting that despite relegation, Luton Town had a respectable average position of 10th, while Brighton, despite their entertaining style, ranked 15th. This discussion sheds light on the editorial choices made by the BBC regarding match coverage and the factors that influence these decisions throughout the season.