Gary Lineker explains how Match of the Day running order is picked as mid-season change revealed

Gary Lineker has explained how the Match of the Day running order is chosen, revealing the most exciting game is always first up on the show.

The 62-year-old often gets accused of being biased by fans when their team isn't on first on Match of the Day.

The running order of the BBC programme normally hints at which Premier League fixtures are the most and least entertaining.

Lineker himself and the pundits have a say in the running order, but, ultimately, it's the editor's decision.

It changes halfway throughway the season when the title race hots up and positions start to matter.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: "It is a combined effort but it is ultimately the editor's decision.

"Generally you get the best match on first, it is Match of the Day.

"Obviously when you cover a sporting event, the main focus is on the leaders. You don't watch a horse race and focus on the back six... Towards the second half of the season, whoever is top of the league has to come into your thinking when deciding."

Last Saturday's show opened with Tottenham's big 5-2 win over Burnley as the former England international admitted it was "difficult" to select the running order because there was "so many great games."

Then came Nottingham Forest's shock win at Stamford Bridge ahead of Manchester City's 5-1 victory over Fulham.

Lineker also said winning results are preferred to games which end in draws.

The Leicester City legend added: "We put Forest beating Chelsea 1-0 on second on Saturday night, ahead of Manchester City scoring five because it is a big story... You take all those things into account."

Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day for more than two decades, will return to our screens on September 16 when the league campaign resumes following the international break.