5 Christmas football fixtures that can’t be missed

December means wall-to-wall football fixtures and the Premier League schedule is particularly intense this Christmas, giving fans a huge number of matches to watch on various broadcast platforms. Here are five of the best to look out for over the typically busy festive period.

 

5 Christmas football fixtures that can’t be missed

 

Arsenal vs. West Ham (December 15, BT Sport)

Not many people would have backed either Arsenal or West Ham to qualify for the Champions League this season, but both clubs are right in the race. Momentum over the Christmas football fixtures can provide a huge boost for the Gunners as they seek to return to Europe’s elite, but the Hammers will not go down without a fight.

A recent thrilling yet slightly fortunate 3-2 home win over Chelsea, another London rival, showed that David Moyes’ side are a force to be reckoned with. West Ham’s last meeting with Arsenal was a 3-3 draw in February. This one might not match that for thrills and spills, but will be a sign of which of these sides are real top-four contenders.

 

Newcastle United vs. Manchester City (December 19, Sky Sports)

Beating Burnley might be the kickstart Newcastle need to turn their season around, but a daunting festive schedule will be a serious test of Eddie Howe’s mettle. Pep Guardiola’s men have been in superb form of late with Bernardo Silva rivalling Mohamed Salah to be regarded as the league’s outstanding player this season.

Newcastle are unbeaten in three at home and will need to keep collecting points in front of a packed and passionate crowd that is enjoying having their club back after the Mike Ashley era. City won a wild match 4-3 away to Newcastle in May, so hopefully this game will be just as fun.

 

Brighton vs. Brentford (Boxing Day, Sky Sports)

A pair of sides with patchy recent form meet in the last televised game on Boxing Day, with both Brighton and Brentford needing to turn their form around soon if they are to avoid a relegation battle.

Graham Potter has won plenty of plaudits for how Brighton play but they still lack goals, while the Bees have been fun to watch in their first season in the Premier League. Brentford have already won twice on the road in the league this season and will be targeting a third victory here. Brighton fans recently aired their frustrations after a draw with Leeds and will be hoping for a win to cap off the Christmas football fixtures.

 

Manchester United vs. Burnley (December 30, Prime Video)

Could this be the season that Sean Dyche fails to keep the Clarets in the Premier League? Things look bad for Burnley right now and a festive trip to a resurgent United does not look likely to yield points for Dyche’s men, at least on paper.

However, Burnley have a surprisingly good recent record at Old Trafford. While they lost away to United in April, they had taken six points from their previous four visits, an unbeaten mini-run.

For new interim boss Ralf Rangnick, this will be the last chance to assess his United squad before the January transfer window opens, providing the opportunity to add some more quality. United academy graduate Dwight McNeil looks Burnley’s best chance of getting out of trouble.

 

Chelsea vs. Liverpool (January 2, Sky Sports)

Players will be running on fumes by the time this blockbuster clash arrives early next month as the busy schedule of Christmas football fixtures draws to a close.

Having set the early pace and topped the table for weeks, Chelsea have stumbled a little of late but their December fixtures are soft – they could well be back on top by the turn of the year. Liverpool, meanwhile, are building up a head of steam under Jurgen Klopp and with Salah in irresistible form this promises to be an unmissable contest at Stamford Bridge.

Salah, of course, had a brief spell at Chelsea earlier in his career so the Egyptian superstar will be particularly motivated to impress. As things stand, however, Salah and Sadio Mane might both be unavailable for this game due to the Africa Cup of Nations, but Liverpool are in negotiations to delay their departure date to allow them to play in the Chelsea clash.

With Naby Keita also heading for Cameroon, Liverpool’s squad will be harder hit by AFCON than most. Having their African stars available for one of the toughest games Liverpool face for the rest of the season could be decisive in what looks set to be a mouth-watering title tussle.

 

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