Five Premier League Festive Talking Points
The Boxing Day matchday is upon us, marking one of the most exciting times in the football calendar. As you continue to enjoy your festive celebrations, here are five Premier League talking points to ponder while waiting for the festival of football to come over the next two days.
You can also find some of our EPLNews writers’ opinions in this video.
Boxing day Special: Santa’s gift for City | Liverpool runaway Champions?
Can Anyone Stop Liverpool?
Liverpool enter the festive season perched at the top of the Premier League table, a position they have thoroughly earned. Under new manager Arne Slot, who has taken over seamlessly from Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have been the standout team of the campaign. Slot deserves significant credit for maintaining Liverpool’s high standards while introducing his own style.
With just one league defeat this season, Liverpool boast a four-point lead at the summit, despite having played one game fewer than their closest rivals. While history shows that no lead is insurmountable—even at Christmas—none of Liverpool’s challengers seem as complete or consistent as Slot’s well-oiled machine.
Half of the Premier League’s Christmas Day leaders (16 out of 32) have gone on to win the title. However, Liverpool have managed it just once in their six previous attempts. Despite this statistic, they look strong favourites to lift the trophy come May.
Can Arsenal Overcome the Loss of Bukayo Saka?
Just as Arsenal seemed to be finding their rhythm, a major setback has disrupted their season. Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, sustained against Crystal Palace, has ruled him out for a significant period. The sight of Saka limping off the pitch sent shockwaves through the Arsenal fanbase, and manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the fears of many: the Gunners will be without their most creative player for the foreseeable future.
Saka has been instrumental this season, contributing five goals and ten assists. His productivity will be almost impossible to replicate, particularly with Martin Ødegaard also having missed large portions of the campaign. Arsenal must now find a way to compensate for the loss of one of their most pivotal players.
With a sizeable gap already separating them from leaders Liverpool, Arsenal will need to adapt quickly to maintain their title challenge.
Bournemouth: Reaping the Benefits of Youth
Bournemouth have emerged as the surprise package of the season, sitting in the European places under the guidance of Andoni Iraola. Their success is underpinned by a savvy recruitment strategy, focusing on nurturing young talent. The Cherries have quietly assembled a squad brimming with potential and promise.
Key players include Milos Kerkez, the 21-year-old left-back whose tireless performances have drawn attention from top clubs, and the centre-back duo of Illya Zabarnyi (22) and Dean Huijsen (19), who have displayed remarkable composure for their age. Midfielder Alex Scott (21) is another gem in the making, while Antoine Semenyo, at 24, is expected to attract lucrative bids in the near future.
On and off the pitch, Bournemouth’s faith in emerging talent is paying dividends, setting them up for sustained success.
Will Any Promoted Teams Survive?
Last season was a grim one for promoted teams, as Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton all suffered immediate relegation. Collectively, they recorded the lowest combined points total in Premier League history, finishing with 16, 24, and 26 points respectively. Even points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest failed to alter their fate, highlighting the ever-widening gap between the Premier League and the Championship.
This season’s crop of promoted teams could face a similar fate. As of Christmas Day, Southampton and Ipswich occupy two of the bottom three spots, with Leicester hovering just above the relegation zone. Wolves’ emphatic victory over Leicester last weekend exposed the challenges facing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, while Southampton are already eight points adrift of safety. Ipswich, meanwhile, are yet to secure a home win this season.
The growing disparity between the Premier League and the Championship raises the question: is the league becoming a closed shop?
Newcastle’s Defining Festive Run
Newcastle have found their form after an inconsistent start to the season. Eddie Howe’s side have won three consecutive league games, scoring 11 goals in the process. They have also secured a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, adding to the feel-good factor on Tyneside.
Currently five points off the Champions League places, Newcastle face a critical run of fixtures that could shape their season. First up is a Boxing Day clash with top-four rivals Aston Villa at St James’ Park. This is followed by challenging away trips to Manchester United, Tottenham, and Arsenal (in the Carabao Cup).
With Alexander Isak in sensational form and Sandro Tonali excelling in midfield, Newcastle’s confidence is high. Additionally, the return of Sven Botman to the under-21s squad is a welcome boost, as the Dutch defender could play a pivotal role in the latter half of the campaign.
This festive period promises plenty of drama and intrigue in the Premier League. From title contenders to relegation battlers, every team has something to fight for. Stay tuned as the action unfolds.