Boxing Day: Premier League Preview
Boxing Day traditionally falls on December 26, the day after Christmas. For many people, that day is known as a day for shopping, but for many football fans it is also synonymous with interesting football. That is certainly the case in England: this year there are 5 matches scheduled for this day in the Premier League. Read a brief explanation below.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is a public holiday that originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated on the day after Christmas. In most other European competitions there is normally a short winter break of two weeks, but in the Premier League the matches continue as usual. They also plan a number of matches in other British sports competitions on this day.
Over the years, more than 4,000 matches have been played on Boxing Day. The team with the highest number of matches is West Brom, short for West Bromwich Albion FC. They have played 106 matches so far. The club that collected the most points on this day is Manchester United. In 96 games it was able to earn 171 points.
And matches are also played throughout the rest of the week. Interesting matches this week include Arsenal – West Ham and Liverpool – Newcastle. These duels will help decide who comes or stays on top.
Which matches are played on this day?
The matchday starts at St. James’ Park with the match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. The players from Nottingham are on the brink of relegation, because with 14 points they are only 2 points ahead of Luton. That club is now in the third last place. Newcastle United are having a good season and are in 7th place, so on paper it seems like a done deal. On the other hand, Newcastle lost 1-0 to the same Luton on December 23. The clubs have not yet played each other this season, but they have met twice in the past five Premier League seasons. Newcastle won both games.
The next teams to compete against each other are Bournemouth and Fulham. These teams are in 12th and 13th place respectively, with only one point difference. The winner will therefore automatically finish above the other. But the teams can even move up several places, because Chelsea and Wolverhampton also have only one point more than Bournemouth. That team managed to beat Manchester United 3-0 on December 9. The players from Bournemouth are on a good run and are undefeated in their last 6 games. Fulham still has to come to terms with the defeat against Burnley on Saturday, December 23.
At the same time, Sheffield United are playing against Luton Town. Sheffield United prevented Aston Villa from finishing in first place on Friday, December 22, breaking a streak of 15 unbeaten Villa games. Luton Town in turn surprised by beating Newcastle 1-0.
In the evening, Burnley, the team of coach Vincent Kompany, will compete with Liverpool. The Reds are eager to beat the Gunners from Liverpool, who are in the lead with one point more. Burnley also urgently needs some points, because with 11 points it is now in penultimate place. And if Sheffield can beat Luton Town, Burnley will be in last place. Looking at the statistics, it also seems almost certain that Liverpool will win, as in their past 8 meetings Burnley have only managed to win once.
To end the day, Manchester United and Aston Villa face each other. United urgently need to get their house in order, as their inconsistent results have left them only in 8th place in the Premier League. They also lost to West Ham on Saturday, December 23, which is in 6th place with 2 points more. So they can compete against Aston Villa at their own Old Trafford. That team is doing very well and is now in 3rd place. It was striking that they could not beat Sheffield United on Friday, December 22. With a win they would become (shared) leader.
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