Boxing Day 2024 brings Premier League Thrills with Key Matches Ahead
The Boxing Day matches of 2024 have arrived, and Premier League fans won't want to miss any of the action. The football festival kicks off on Thursday at 13:30 GMT with the clash between Manchester City and Everton FC at the Etihad Stadium. This special day will feature several other pivotal matches, including Chelsea FC versus Fulham FC at 16:00 and Liverpool FC against Leicester City at 21:00. The football festivities conclude on Friday when Arsenal FC hosts Ipswich Town at 21:15, as they chase the top spot.
With the festive atmosphere, Manchester City enters this Boxing Day with mixed feelings, grappling with unprecedented turmoil under Pep Guardiola's leadership. Since Halloween, the 'Citizens' have struggled significantly, achieving only one win, two draws, and suffering nine losses out of their last twelve matches. They've been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and now sit 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool, though they have one game in hand. City currently stands seventh with 27 points—an unusual sight for a club that's enjoyed immense success and financial power over the past fifteen years.
City's next opponents, Everton, are hovering near the relegation zone with only 16 points, albeit with one game still to play. Even more concerning is Leicester, who finds themselves entrenched in the relegation battle with just 14 points, facing a difficult trip to Anfield. The 'Foxes' have managed only one victory in their last seven outings and will challenge a Liverpool side still undefeated across all competitions since September 14.
Liverpool, boasting 39 points from 16 Premier League matches, has widened the gap between themselves and second-place as they recorded a significant win against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, all the meanwhile Chelsea could only manage a draw against Everton.
Currently, the Blues are preparing for a much-needed West London derby, as they look to extend their impressive winning streak to nine matches following their recent 0-0 stalemate against Everton. Chelsea currently sits second with 35 points, just edging past their rivals Arsenal, who are trailing closely with 33 points.
Continuing the Boxing Day festivities for the second consecutive year, Arsenal will take on Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium on Friday. Ipswich finds themselves languishing second from the bottom with merely 12 points and will keep an eye on the earlier match involving Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 'Wolves' are set to host Manchester United, who seek to improve their standing with 22 points amid difficulties. Portuguese coach Rúben Amorim has witnessed minimal improvement in results compared to his predecessor Erik ten Hag. Just last Sunday, Bournemouth, currently fifth with 28 points, triumphed over the 'Red Devils' and will now host Crystal Palace, situated 16th with 16 points.
Boxing Day 2024 marks another exciting chapter for Premier League enthusiasts, promising fiery matches and impassioned rivalries on the pitch.
