The Match of the Day running order can be a point of contention for a number of reasons.
If your team’s on last it can be seen a sign that the BBC are biased against you (which is nonsense, we can assure you). Alternatively, if you’re regularly first up, you can use it as ‘evidence’ of who the real entertainers of the league are.
Of course, there’s also the small matter of being able to get off to bed earlier if you don’t have to wait until the end of the broadcast. Look, some of us work on Sunday mornings, or just like our beauty sleep.
So, without further ado, here are the teams most popular this season with Gary Lineker and co.
According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool lead the league in more than one respect, having been treated to the MOTD opener three times – more than any other club.
But when it comes to percentages, Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasers trail Manchester United. Jose Mourinho’s team have been first up for two of their five Saturday kickoffs – a rate of 40% – while Liverpool’s 3/8 strike rate amounts to 37.5%.
As for the fans who have the longest wait, both Watford and Crystal Palace have that honour with three last-ups apiece. However the Eagles could have watched one of their three games live on the Friday night and got to bed early the following evening.
The following teams have been first on Match of the Day on more than one occasion:
Liverpool – 3
Burnley – 2
Chelsea – 2
Hull City – 2
Leicester City – 2
Manchester United – 2
West Bromwich Albion – 2
Julian Finney/Getty Images
And the teams to appear last…
Crystal Palace – 3
Watford – 3
Hull City – 2
Southampton – 2
Stoke City – 2
West Ham United – 2
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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