Santa's super six: holiday treats in the Premier League

REPEAT AFFAIR? Liverpool’s Stan Collymore scores the dramatic 4-3 winner against Newcastle in 1996. Pic: Stu Forster/Getty Images

EVER since Preston North End beat Aston Villa 3-2 on December 25th in 1889, football has been as much a part of Christmas as turkey and trimmings. So, there’s no guilt in planning a sofa soccerfest between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

There may not be a match on Christmas Day itself anymore (the last one was in 1965) but this year sees the return of Christmas Eve football as well as the usual St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day fixtures.

Here’s our guide to the six biggest matches to get you through the festive season…

Saturday December 23: Liverpool v Arsenal, 5.30pm

A title six-pointer at Anfield. The festive programme begins with a biggie, two teams with title aspirations going head-to-head in front of the Kop and under the lights. What could be better? Arsenal were top and Liverpool second after last weekend’s fixtures, but that would change if Aston Villa won their clash against Sheffield United last night.

Whatever happened, however, top spot will be up for grabs for both teams and that gives the fixture an extra edge. There’s something about going into Christmas top of the table that really adds to title credentials.

As for the match, this is tough one to predict. It might depend on which star players has the biggest impact — Saka for Arsenal or Salah for Liverpool. That’s a tantalising prospect — good enough to give up on the last-minute shopping and start the festivities a little early.

Sunday December 24: Wolves v Chelsea, 1pm

There hasn’t been a Premier League match on Christmas Eve in 28 years, but the scramble for television money has seen that principle overturned for 2023. Whether you see that as crazy or exciting, it does set up the prospect of some afternoon entertainment at Molineux — and a chance to leave the present wrapping to somebody else.

The last Christmas Eve fixture saw Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 in a thriller in 1995, with goals from Brian Deane, Tony Yeboah and Gary McAllister for Leeds and Andy Cole for the visitors. Let’s hope for something similar this time. Although fans in the stadium may enjoy the final whistle less than those on the sofa – with the prospect of a public transport nightmare on the way home.

Tuesday December 26: Manchester United v Aston Villa, 8pm

Title clamour, United glamour. There will be one team with their sights firmly set on a title push at Old Trafford on St Stephen’s Day; but the Christmas surprise is that it won’t be Manchester United. Aston Villa’s remarkable rise under Unai Emery has been fascinating to watch, and they have little to fear after recent home wins against Manchester City and Arsenal in succession. Even so, the glamour of the fixture lies with United, who will guarantee a huge global audience – most of them hoping that Erik ten Hag’s men rediscover their missing tinsel and remind us why they are still England’s biggest club, even if the results don’t show it.

Villa could certainly teach United a thing or two about how to press, and how to score goals. Could this be the moment the tide turns?

Thursday, December 28: Brighton v Tottenham, 7.30pm

The beautiful game? If you had to pick a fixture to watch in the Premier League purely for the quality of the football on show, then this is the one. Yes, Manchester City also embrace the beautiful game when at their best, but Brighton and Spurs have been playing with the kind of abandon that guarantees goals at both ends.

Some of Brighton’s football is simply stunning, and they have dominated possession in almost every match this season, scoring more than 30 goals. The fact that they have also conceded just as many may be a frustration for Seagulls fans, but it’s great fun for everyone else.

The new Spurs are equally cavalier, and we know from Tottenham’s performance at the Etihad that coach Ange Postecoglou won’t compromise on his principles. It should be fun at the Amex.

Sunday December 31: Fulham v Arsenal, 2pm

This is another festive fixture which looks like it has goals in it. Fulham have hit five against West Ham at home, five against Forest, three against Wolves and three against Sheffield United in recent months, so Arsenal know they are in for a game. Especially as Marco Silva’s men have also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. But it’s also an opportunity for the Gunners to strengthen their title hopes at Craven Cottage and improve their goal difference in the process — because Fulham won’t be putting nine men behind the ball, that’s for sure. It’s good news for neutrals and a possible late Christmas present for Saka, Martinelli and Co, too...

Monday, January 1: Liverpool v Newcastle, 8pm

A Kop and Toon thriller to soothe the hangover? Nicely timed on New Year’s Day the Liverpool v Newcastle fixture has a long history of providing entertainment.

Remember those 4-3 classics in 1996 and 1997? United are not quite the swashbuckling side of the Keegan era, but they are certainly capable of scoring goals at Anfield and are on a mission to qualify for the Champions League for the second year in a row. For Liverpool, as so often, it’s about top spot; and outscoring Newcastle would be an excellent way to start the New Year and prove to everyone they are genuine title contenders in 2024.