4 Must Watch EPL Games During The Festive Period
It may be a tough period for the players and managers, but English football fans love Christmas time. Not only do they get some time off of work and the chance to see family, the Premier League (EPL) also runs a hectic schedule that sees most teams play several times in a short period. Join us as we picked out four of the very best football matches on offer to you during the festive period.
Liverpool vs. Leeds (December 26)
On Boxing Day, the first game you’ll be able to watch is at Anfield where Liverpool will host Leeds United.
The game will kick off at 12:30 pm and will surely have a major impact on the ongoing three-horse title race.
For those with short memories, this fixture last season was one of the best games of football you can ever hope to witness. The Reds ultimately emerged with the three points but were made to work by the newly promoted side who scored three times but shipped four.
Liverpool have continued their prolific efforts in front on goal this season and currently have more goals than any other team in the league. Leeds appear to be suffering from the second-season syndrome. After such an impressive season last year, they are now floating around the relegation zone and could do with taking all three points, although that will be tough against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Aston Villa vs. Chelsea (December 26)
The teatime kick-off on boxing day will see Aston Villa host Chelsea.
Since changing their manager earlier this season The Villans have looked much stronger. In his first five games as Villa boss, Steven Gerrard has picked up three wins. The Liverpool legend can be forgiven for falling to defeats at Anfield to his boyhood club and at Villa Park to Premier League champions Manchester City. Villa pushed both sides really close and will be confident of going one better against Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had been the EPL’s frontrunner for a while but in the last few games, they seem to have veered off track. A loss to West Ham took them off of the top spot but they have continued to pick up points and wins since then, even if it has been in an unconvincing manner.
This game could be a significant one as Villa are very much capable of springing the upset that Chelsea will be desperate to avoid as they try to keep pace with City and Liverpool.
Everton vs. Newcastle (December 30)
A few days later we have a pivotal clash between two sides who have really struggled this season. The match is made more intriguing by the precarious position Everton manager Rafa Benitez finds himself in. A bad result against his former club Newcastle could well seal his fate.
After enjoying a blistering start to the Premier League season, The Toffees have desperately struggled for form. The crowd has unsurprisingly turned on the Liverpool legend who they never wanted at the club in the first place and Goodison Park is becoming more hostile towards him and the players with each passing week.
Luckily for them, on December 30 they’ll be facing what appears to be the worst team in the league. Despite the optimism surrounding their recent takeover, Newcastle has a very poor squad and Eddie Howe is struggling to put points on the board. They’ll undoubtedly dip into the transfer market in January but will be desperate to get a win in this one to kickstart their 2022 before it even begins.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool (January 2)
Two sides we’ve already mentioned will face off on January 2 in a game that will surely have a say about who will be the EPL winner come to the end of the season.
Right now, just one point separates these two sides who you’d expect to win all their games until they come up against each other in a couple of weeks’ time.
In terms of the 2021 Christmas fixture list, this is the glamour tie. The European champions against perhaps the best Liverpool side of all time.
This is simply a game that any self-respecting football fan will not miss.
What English Premier League games are you looking forward to watching over the festive period?