With the Premier League season coming up to the busiest period we are taking a look at who has the hardest and easiest run in over the Christmas Period.
The Christmas and New Year period has to be the busiest point of the season with most clubs playing at least 7 games during December. Not only do they have League games, but also League Cup and Continental run ins. With this happening there is also another factor to bring up: natural causes. The weather can also play a massive part in this month with snow and frosts causing the most damage and making it a nightmare for fans travelling around the country.
With Arsenal sitting at the top of the league and a few points clear of the chasing pack, they will be hoping to capitalise on their current good form. Starting December with a home game against Hull this should be a relatively easy test for the Gunners. Next stop is a Champions League game against Napoli with Arsenal top of their group they will be hoping for no less than 3 points. Over the Christmas period and within a space of 15 days they face Everton at home followed by Manchester City and Chelsea; this could be a tough few weeks for the leaders.
Manchester United face a tough start to December with games against Tottenham away, Newcastle and Everton at home. These teams will be stern opposition for the Reds. The second half of the month is relatively easy, where they will be hoping to pick up points against teams they should easily beat.
United’s neighbours Manchester City haven’t had an easy start to the campaign and after spending over £90 million in the summer, still need to find consistency. Probably the toughest test this month with Munich away in the Champions League followed by Arsenal at home. This is a period of three straight away days. Next stop is a League Cup outing to Leicester, who can be stubborn opponents and it could be a chance to rotate players. The following game sees them play Liverpool at the Eithad.
Chelsea have a relatively quiet Christmas period and will be hoping they can keep their unbeaten home form under Mourinho. That’s until they play Arsenal away and Liverpool at home. These games will prove if they can challenge for the title this year.
Tottenham are another club who dipped into the market this summer, spending well over £90 million. They have a nice Christmas period with most of their games at home. They will be hoping their good run of form in both the Europa League and the League Cup where they will be wanting to qualify to the next rounds. However, they start this month with a tricky game at home to Manchester United.
Liverpool have had a great start to the season, their best since 2008/2009 and with no League Cup or Europa League action this month, they will be hoping they can keep this pressure on. However December doesn’t look pretty for the Reds with trips to Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea away, they will be hoping injuries don’t rack up and that Suarez and Sturridge carry on their great form. With easy home games and Anfield becoming a fortress again they will be hoping to win the majority of these.
What’s your take? Which side has the easiest Premier League run-in?
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