Premier League Boxing Day Tradition
With Christmas approaching just around the corner, one of the biggest traditions in English soccer will soon be upon us and with the Boxing Day schedule being the most anticipated of any Premier League season, it will mean a festive feast of world-class sporting action.
Action that will see each of the Premier League’s 20 entrants take to the field and with the battlelines being drawn at both ends of the table, this is usually a pivotal day in any top-flight campaign that takes place.
For those at the sharpest end of the table, they will look to keep their championship charge alive and for those who are struggling at the bottom, they will be aiming to earn some much-needed points in their bid to beat the drop.
Add in the handful of teams that have desires of playing in Europe next season and there will be plenty of Boxing Day subplots to dissect, while you are digesting the leftovers from your Christmas Dinner.
Which means, it is time to look at the 10 games that are taking place on Boxing Day and with that in mind, here is our bumper festive preview for December 26th:
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Liverpool vs Leeds
Sunday 26th December 7:30AM EST
Title chasing Liverpool will welcome Leeds to Anfield on Boxing Day and with the Merseyside outfit looking to regain the Premier League crown they won two seasons ago, they will need to continue their recent positive momentum.
Momentum that has thrust them right into title contention for this season and with the race for the Premier League trophy looking like it will be a three-horse race, the Merseyside men cannot afford to cede ground to their title rivals.
Wolves vs Watford
Sunday 26th December 7:30AM EST
Wolves have struggled to find the back of the net during the first half of this Premier League season and although they are defensively sound, it is a lack of goals which could hamper their hopes of earning a place in Europe next season.
While when it comes to being defensively sound, that is not a statement that can be attached to Watford and with Claudio Ranieri’s men now looking like they will be in a relegation battle, they may have to score their way out of trouble.
Burnley vs Everton
Sunday 26th December 10AM EST
There is no doubt that Sean Dyche has worked miracles as manager of Burnley over the past few years and each time you think the Clarets will get relegated, they have a habit of silencing the critics who forecast their demotion.
However, the struggle seems far more real this season and with a Boxing Day visit of Everton on the horizon, they will aim to get the better of a Toffees’ side that are currently finding themselves in a rather sticky situation.
Manchester City vs Leicester
Sunday 26th December 10AM EST
Pep Guardiola’s light blue juggernaut has been picking up pace as of late and with the Etihad outfit doing their best to ward off the likes of both Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the table, they will soon prepare for the visit of Leicester on Boxing Day.
It has certainly been a campaign of fits and starts for Leicester and although they are capable of mixing it with the biggest teams in the land, their usual watertight defence has let them down on too many occasions this season.
Norwich vs Arsenal
Sunday 26th December 10AM EST
While although Norwich will be favourites for relegation out of the Premier League this season, they have at least shown more fight under new manager Dean Smith and with that alone, their hopes of survival have been given something of a boost.
On Boxing Day, they will welcome a rather resurgent Arsenal and although it has taken time for Mikel Arteta to make the Gunners squad his own, it seems as the hard work both on and off pitch is starting to pay dividends.
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Sunday 26th December 10AM EST
It has been a difficult period for Tottenham as of late and with COVID-19 being the reason for a number of postponements, they will certainly be grateful to return to the playing field against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
While the Eagles will look to do the double over Spurs this season, after previously recording a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park. Then again, that London Derby reverse came before a certain Antonio Conte was named as Tottenham manager.
West Ham vs Southampton
Sunday 26th December 10AM EST
West Ham are quickly becoming one of the neutrals favourites in the Premier League and with David Moyes managing to cultivate an exciting squad mixed with both youth and experience, they will aim to return to European competition next season.
Something that their Boxing Day opponents can only dream off and with Southampton failing to get any real consistency under their belts, it looks like being a case of mid-table malaise at best for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Sunday 26th December 12:30PM EST
While although many would have expected Aston Villa to get some form of uplift after appointing Steven Gerrard as manager, nobody would have expected it to be this positive and all of a sudden, the West Midlands outfit are looking upwardly mobile.
Something that they will aspire to be against Chelsea on Boxing Day and with the Blues looking to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race, they will need to improve on recent sluggish performances.
Brighton vs Brentford
Sunday 26th December 3PM EST
There is no doubt that Brighton are easy on the eye and although they are neat and tidy when it comes to competing in the Premier League, they do consistently struggle to convert their chances into goals.
While on Boxing Day they will welcome the visit of hardworking Brentford and with the Bees currently in the relative safety of mid-table, they are making a rather bright start to life in the Premier League.
Newcastle vs Manchester United
Monday 27th December 3PM EST
Even though Newcastle may in theory be the richest club in the world, there is every chance that they will be the richest club in the EFL Championship soon and if results do not pick up, relegation is a near certainty at the end of the season.
This Boxing Day sees them play host to Manchester United and with Ralf Rangnick seemingly getting the Red Devils back on track, the aim will be to secure a top-four finish and a subsequent return to the Champions League.
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