Premier League: three-way match in the lead, City on the lookout, United on the relaunch, here is the Boxing Day program

2023-12-26 12:23:27

Will Arsenal Gunners lose their lead? Which team will finish the calendar year at the top of the championship? Here are the first major issues of the 19th and 20th days of the Premier League, which will be played from this Tuesday, December 26, Boxing Day, to January 2. The podium stands at one point. Arsenal, leader (40 points), is chased by Liverpool and Aston Villa (39 points each).

To maintain their first place, the Gunners must first defeat West Ham on December 28. The Hammers, 6th, took on Manchester United (2-0) on Saturday. Arsenal will then play their final match of the year on December 31 at 12th-placed Fulham.

Liverpool: solid behind, Salah in front

His first pursuer intends to score plenty of points in this distance duel. The direct confrontation between the Gunners and Liverpool ended in a draw at Anfield (1-1 on December 23). The Reds travel to relegated Burnley on December 26. They will then have to quickly digest the New Year and challenge Newcastle, 7th, on January 1.

Undefeated in the Premier League since September 30 (2-1 against Tottenham), its only defeat of the season, Jürgen Klopp’s team is performing well. It is carried by Mohamed Salah, author of twelve goals, the second best total in the championship behind Erling Haaland (14). Liverpool has regained its defensive solidity, in particular thanks to its hinge, made up of Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk. No one has conceded fewer goals than the Reds (16).

Ten Hag in danger at Manchester United

But the most unexpected member of the top three is undoubtedly Aston Villa. Coached by Unai Emery, the team beat Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal within a month. His last match of the year is scheduled for December 30 against Burnley. Before that, she will travel to Old Trafford for an enticing match against Manchester United on December 26.

The stakes are not the least for the Red Devils. In the midst of a sporting crisis, the club is posting results far from expectations: 8th in the Premier League and last in its Champions League group. Manchester already have 13 defeats this season, including eight in the league, their worst total before Christmas since 1930-1931.

13 – Manchester United have lost 13 matches in all competitions this season – only in 1930-31 (16) have they ever lost more before Christmas in a campaign, a season in which they finished bottom of the top-flight. Woe. pic.twitter.com/UlMh59eSec

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 23, 2023

“We continue to lose points. We have to look in the mirror, question ourselves. We know it’s not enough,” said Luke Shaw on Saturday after the defeat at West Ham (2-0). The team has just gone four games without scoring a single goal, a first since 1992. Erik ten Hag knows he is in the hot seat before the match against Aston Villa and that at Nottingham Forest on December 30.

City more discreet than usual

The other Manchester team, more discreet than usual this year, could take advantage of the holiday period to make up part of their gap on the leader. Pep Guardiola’s Citizens have a six-point deficit on Arsenal, with one more game to play. Training in the sky blue jersey also benefits from a lenient schedule for this Boxing Day.

She will first face Everton, 16th, on December 27, then Sheffield, bottom, three days later. Although Manchester City have just been crowned club world champions, the team has however only won one of their last six Premier League matches. A record far from its usual standards.

For formations at the back of the pack, the period is also crucial. The first non-relegation team, Nottingham, is only two points ahead (14) over Luton, having played one more match. Sheffield, last, is not completely left behind with 9 points on the clock, but must no longer be left behind.