The biggest Premier League games of the 2021 festive period

The biggest Premier League games of the 2021 festive period 

By Oli Dickson Jefford

It’s a hectic, dramatic, often decisive, part of the Premier League season.

While most of us will be tucking into obscene amounts of food and drink over the Christmas holidays, Premier League players will have to resist temptation to remain fit and sharp for a manic part of the domestic football calendar.

With the festive football season fast approaching, here are some of the crunch clashes to watch out for in between opening presents and eating yet another mince pie.

 

15th December: Arsenal vs West Ham

Two teams well in the hunt for European football face off at the Emirates in an intriguing clash on the 15th of December.

After a dreadful start to the season which saw many call for Mikel Arteta to be sacked, Arsenal have looked rejuvenated since- though recent losses to Man Utd and Liverpool have added a little pressure.

Meanwhile, David Moyes continues to do an incredible job at West Ham with his side punching well above their weight and spending most the season in the top Four.

With this match at the start of the busy period, it’ll be interesting to see if either side can start their Christmas campaign with victory.

 

19th December: Tottenham vs Liverpool

Europa Conference League humiliation against NS Mura aside, Antonio Conte’s reign at Spurs has started with a respectable seven points from nine in the league.

However, the Italian faces his first real test in the dugout when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool come to visit six days before Christmas Day.

Liverpool have looked superb this season, contending for the title alongside Chelsea and Man City, and have had the edge over Spurs in recent seasons.

The outcome of this match could have huge implications for Liverpool’s title hopes, Spurs’ European challenge- and show how much of an impact Conte has had in his opening few months.

 

27th December: Newcastle vs Man Utd

While the rest of the league play on Boxing Day, Man Utd will travel to St James’ Park 24 hours later to take on Newcastle in a match that may have implications for both ends of the table.

After a recent slide down the table, Red Devils’ fans will hope that Ralph Rangnick has restored belief at the club and has pushed them back into the European race by this point.

Meanwhile, the Toon Army will be hoping to gain more precious points in their battle against relegation and will want new gaffer Eddie Howe to show his team have the ability to pull off a miracle survival.

25 years ago this would have been a battle for the title, but this Christmas both sides are fighting to achieve what would be considered the bare minimum for their seasons.

 

1st January: Arsenal vs Man City

The New Year period is often when clubs begin to meet for the second time in the season, and many will be intrigued to see this battle between the Citizens and the Gunners.

Back at the Etihad in August, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City humiliated Arsenal, and his former assistant manager Mikel Arteta, with a dominant 5-0 victory in which they tore the Londoners to shreds.

City are likely to be well in title contention for this point and will be eager for three points, though Arsenal are improved since that meeting and have their own European ambitions.

The visitors will be favourites to win, but it should be a much more competitive meeting than the one at the start of the campaign.

 

2nd January: Chelsea vs Liverpool

The festive period comes to a close with two teams that both looking to make a real title charge in 2022.

Chelsea were off the pace last season, but look a completely different beast under Thomas Tuchel with the likes of Edouard Mendy and Reece James in career-best form.

They’ve been flirting with the top of the table all season, although the loss of Ben Chilwell to injury is a blow, and they’ll hope to navigate the matches up to this safely despite his absence.

With Liverpool looking scarily good recently, Klopp will want to take all three points in this one after a draw at Anfield against the Blues in August - a match his side largely dominated.

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