Premier League confirms seven Boxing Day fixtures as festive schedule returns | OneFootball

The Premier League has confirmed seven Boxing Day fixtures, restoring a festive tradition after last season’s scaled-back programme. Only Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Newcastle United took place on 26 December last term.

The league said in a statement that announcing early gives supporters more than three months to plan travel, following consultation with the Football Supporters’ Association and club Fan Advisory Boards. It added that clubs will have at least a 60-hour break between games, reflecting commitments to ease festive congestion amid expanding European and international calendars.

Boxing Day begins at Villa Park, where Aston Villa host Leeds United at 12:30pm on TNT Sports. The 3pm blackout will be lifted, with four simultaneous matches including Tottenham at home to Bournemouth and Everton against Sunderland.

In the evening, Liverpool visit Hull City, before the day ends with Newcastle United hosting Manchester City at St James’ Park.

The action continues on Sunday, 27 December. Coventry City face Chelsea at 2pm on Sky Sports, then Manchester United meet Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, before Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace to close the weekend.

A midweek round follows on 29 and 30 December, with Manchester City heading to Goodison Park and Liverpool away at Villa Park, testing squad depth. Early in January, the calendar features Manchester City against Tottenham on Sunday, 3 January, as fixtures are spread across nearly two weeks to ease past turnaround complaints.

Source: Goal.com

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