English Premier League enters Boxing Day

The Premier League is entering a critical phase in the coming period, as matches from four rounds will take place between 26 December and 8 January, with results that could have a major impact on the English championship.

The holiday “mini-marathon” begins with the 18th matchday, which has only one game scheduled on Boxing Day, even though 26 December is traditionally a fully football-focused day in England, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

Football matches on 26 December have been a decades-long tradition in England, but this year the Premier League scheduled only Manchester United vs. Newcastle on that date, citing growing scheduling pressures due to the expansion of European club competitions as the main reason for the change.

Riding high after qualifying for the League Cup semifinals, leaders Arsenal will host Brighton, coached by Babis Kostoulas and with long-term injured Stefanos Tzimas, aiming for their third consecutive league win to remain at the top of the table. Brighton, on the other hand, has not tasted victory in their last four Premier League matches (0-2-2).

Meanwhile, Manchester City will face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the first Saturday fixture. A win would allow City to temporarily climb to the top of the table, increasing pressure on Arsenal to secure a victory. The Citizens have won their last five league matches, while Forest needs points to distance themselves further from the relegation zone.

Third-placed Aston Villa is on a ten-match winning streak across all competitions, including seven in the league, but faces a tough challenge against fourth-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The two teams are separated by seven points, and Chelsea comes off a draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Defending champions Liverpool have the chance to celebrate their third consecutive Premier League win as they host bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Anfield, who remain winless in the league. West Ham, coached by Dinos Mavropanos, sits five points behind Nottingham Forest and six points above safety; they will aim to return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats and a total of six matches without a victory (0-3-3).

The fixtures for Matchday 17 and the Premier League standings are as follows:

Fixtures:

• Manchester United vs. Newcastle – 26/12

• Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City – 27/12

• Arsenal vs. Brighton – 27/12

• Brentford vs. Bournemouth – 27/12

• Burnley vs. Everton – 27/12

• Liverpool vs. Wolves – 27/12

• West Ham vs. Fulham – 27/12

• Chelsea vs. Aston Villa – 27/12

• Sunderland vs. Leeds – 28/12

• Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham – 28/12

Standings (after 17 games):

Arsenal – 39

Manchester City – 37

Aston Villa – 36

Chelsea – 29

Liverpool – 29

Sunderland – 27

Manchester United – 26

Crystal Palace – 26

Brighton – 24

Everton – 24

Newcastle – 23

Brentford – 23

Fulham – 23

Tottenham – 22

Bournemouth – 22

Leeds – 19

Nottingham Forest – 18

West Ham – 13

Burnley – 11

Wolves – 2

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