The festive period is always extremely busy for Premier League clubs and this season things are set to be even more hectic due to the campaign having started later.
Especially for teams involved in European competitions and still in the Carabao Cup, this period will be extremely challenging, with managers having to make good use of their squads.
Sportsmail takes a look at who has it worst over the festive period, taking into account games from December 8th to January 18th.
The dates of many of these fixtures are subject to change.
Manchester United are among the Premier League clubs that are facing a hectic schedule
ARSENAL
Number of games – 11
Days without a game – 31 (average of 3.1 days off per game)
Arsenal face a hectic schedule at a crucial time for Mikel Arteta given their Europa League involvement.
Arsenal have struggled against various sides this season but might take some confidence from the fact that they don’t have to face many of the Premier League’s leading lights in the league during this period.
Arsenal could play 12 games in this period as they look to drasticially improve their situation
ARSENAL FIXTURES
December 10 – Dundalk (away) – Europa League – 5.55pm
December 13 – Burnley (home) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 16 – Southampton (home) – Premier League – 6pm
December 19 – Everton (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 22 – Manchester City (home) – Carabao Cup – 8pm
December 26 – Chelsea (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 29 – Brighton (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – West Brom (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 9 – Newcastle (home) – FA Cup – 5.30pm
January 14 – Crystal Palace (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 18 – Newcastle (home) – Premier League – 8pm
ASTON VILLA
Number of games – Nine
Days without a game – 27 (average of 3 days off per game)
With no European fixtures and their involvement in the Carabao Cup over, Aston Villa’s schedule isn’t too bad in terms of the amount of fixtures that they will play.
There are some very tough games for Dean Smith’s side, however, with the sequence of matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool (in the FA Cup), Liverpool and Everton set to provide a major test.
While Aston Villa don’t have too many games, they do face some tough fixtures in this period
ASTON VILLA FIXTURES
December 12 – Wolves (away) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 17 – Burnley (home) – Premier League – 6pm
December 20 – West Brom (away) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 26 – Crystal Palace (home) – Premier League – 3pm
December 28 – Chelsea (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 1 – Manchester United (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 8 – Liverpool (home) – FA Cup – 7.45pm
January 13 – Tottenham (home) – Premier League – 8.15pm
January 16 – Everton (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
BRIGHTON
Number of games – Nine
Days without a game – 26 (average of 2.89 days off per game)
Another team without any European commitments, Brighton will hope that they can pick up quite a lot of points during this period.
Some of their games are rather close together, however, so Graham Potter may have to rotate his side quite often.
Brighton may have to rotate their team with many of their games being in close proximity
BRIGHTON FIXTURES
December 13 – Leicester (away) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 16 – Fulham (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 20 – Sheffield United (home) – Premier League – 12pm
December 27 – West Ham (away) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 29 – Arsenal (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – Wolves (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 10 – Newport County (away) – Premier League – 7.45pm
January 13 – Manchester City (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 16 – Leeds (away) – Premier League – 3pm
BURNLEY
Number of games – Eight
Days without a game – 27 (average of 3.375 days off per game)
Burnley have one of the most favourable schedules, with Sean Dyche’s side playing just eight games.
In addition, most of those fixtures are well spread out, allowing plenty of time for recovery.
Burnley, who are set to only play eight games, have one of the best schedules in this period
BURNLEY FIXTURES
December 13 – Arsenal (away) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 17 – Aston Villa (away) – Premier League – 6pm
December 21 – Wolves (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 27 – Leeds (away) – Premier League – 12pm
December 29 – Sheffield United (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 3 – Fulham (home) – Premier League – 12pm
January 9 – MK Dons (home) – FA Cup – 3pm
January 16 – West Ham (away) – Premier League – 3pm
CHELSEA
Number of games – Nine
Days without a game – 30 (average of 3.33 days off per game)
Although they are out of the Carabao Cup, it is still a busy time for Chelsea, with Frank Lampard eager for his side to show consistency.
With Chelsea having a talented squad, Lampard should have enough options to get through this period without too much trouble.
Chelsea have a lot of games but Frank Lampard has a talented squad that he can choose from
CHELSEA FIXTURES
December 8 – Krasnodar (home) – Champions League – 8pm
December 12 – Everton (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 15 – Wolves (away) – Premier League – 6pm
December 21 – West Ham (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 26 – Arsenal (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 28 – Aston Villa (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 3 – Manchester City (home) – Premier League – 4.30pm
January 10 – Morecambe (home) – FA Cup – 1.30pm
January 15 – Fulham (away) – Premier League – 8pm
CRYSTAL PALACE
Number of games: Nine
Days without a game – 27 (average of 3.375 days off per game)
There are undoubtedly some difficult games for Crystal Palace during this set of fixtures, but the games are quite well spread out.
Roy Hodgson should be able to name something resembling his strongest XI for most games.
Crystal Palace have some very difficult fixtures but the games are quite well spread out
CRYSTAL PALACE FIXTURES
December 13 – Tottenham (home) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 16 – West Ham (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 19 – Liverpool (home) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 26 – Aston Villa (away) – Premier League – 3pm
December 28 – Leicester (home) – Premier League – 3pm
January 2 – Sheffield United (home) – Premier League – 3pm
January 8 – Wolves (away) – FA Cup – 7.45pm
January 14 – Arsenal (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 17 – Manchester City (away) – Premier League – 7.15pm
EVERTON
Amount of games – Ten
Days without a game – 26 (average of 2.6 days off per game) – potentially 25 (average of 2.27 days off per game)
Everton’s involvement in the Carabao Cup could have contributed to an even-more packed schedule. The silver lining to defeat for Carlo Ancleotti’s side against Manchester United means their schedule eases up slightly.
Another concern for the Everton manager is that his team won’t have much time for recovery in between many of their fixtures.
Everton have a lot of games in a short space of time but were knocked out of the Carabao Cup
EVERTON FIXTURES
December 12 – Chelsea (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 16 – Leicester (away) – Premier League – 6pm
December 19 – Arsenal (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 23 – Manchester United (home) – Carabao Cup – 8pm
December 26 – Sheffield United (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 28 – Manchester City (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 1 – West Ham (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 9 – Rotherham (home) – FA Cup – 12pm
January 12 – Wolves (away) – Premier League – 8.15pm
January 16 – Aston Villa (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
FULHAM
Amount of games: Eight
Days without a game: 26 (average of 3.25 days off per game)
As Fulham look to move up the table they face some difficult games during the festive period.
However, they don’t have to play as much as many other sides and their fixtures are quite well spread out.
Fulham have some tough games in this period but don’t have to play as much as other sides
FULHAM FIXTURES
December 13 – Liverpool (home) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 16 – Brighton (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 19 – Newcastle (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 26 – Southampton (home) – Premier League – 3pm
December 30 – Tottenham (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 3 – Burnley (away) – Premier League – 12pm
January 9 – QPR (away) – FA Cup – 3pm
January 15 – Chelsea (home) – Premier League – 8pm
LEEDS
Amount of games: Eight
Days without a game: 29 (average of 3.625 days off per game)
Another side without any European or Carabao Cup commitments, Leeds should be able to get through this schedule without too much impact on the overall fitness of the squad.
There are some challenging games during this period, though, such as clashes away to Manchester United and Tottenham.
Leeds have fewer games than many other clubs and should be able to cope with their schedule
LEEDS FIXTURES
December 11 – West Ham (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 16 – Newcastle (home) – Premier League – 6pm
December 20 – Manchester United (away) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 27 – Burnley (home) – Premier League – 12pm
December 29 – West Brom (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – Tottenham (away) – Premier League – 12.30pm
January 10 – Crawley (away) – FA Cup – 1.30pm
January 16 – Brighton (home) – Premier League – 3pm
LEICESTER
Amount of games: Nine
Days without a game: 29 (average of 3.22 days off per game)
Leicester’s Europa League involvement means they have more games than some clubs during this period.
However, the fixtures are quite well spread out, even though there are some tough games for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
There are some difficult games for Leicester but the fixtures are mostly well spread out
LEICESTER FIXTURES
December 10 – AEK Athens (home) – Europa League – 8pm
December 13 – Brighton (home) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 16 – Everton (home) – Premier League – 6pm
December 20 – Tottenham (away) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 26 – Manchester United (home) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 28 – Crystal Palace (away) – Premier League – 3pm
January 3 – Newcastle (away) – Premier League – 2.15pm
January 9 – Stoke (away) – FA Cup – 3pm
January 16 – Southampton (home) – Premier League – 8pm
LIVERPOOL
Amount of games: Nine
Days without a game: 31 (average of 3.44 days off per game)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has frequently complained about his side’s fixture list, but, in this period at least, they have quite a lot of time between most matches.
Klopp will hope that his team avoid further injuries but this schedule shouldn’t pose too many problems for his squad.
Jurgen Klopp may not have too many complaints regarding Liverpool’s festive fixture list
LIVERPOOL FIXTURES
December 9 – Midtjylland (away) – Champions League – 5.55pm
December 13 – Fulham (away) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 16 – Tottenham (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 19 – Crystal Palace (away) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 27 – West Brom (home) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 30 – Newcastle (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 4 – Southampton (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 8 – Aston Villa (away) – Premier League – 7.45pm
January 17 – Manchester United (home) – Premier League – 4.30pm
MANCHESTER CITY
Amount of games: 12
Days without a game: 28 (2.33 days off per game)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could be forgiven for being rather aggrieved with his team’s packed schedule.
City play 12 games during this period having made the Carabao Cup semi-final and have little time to prepare for many of those fixtures.
Manchester City face a daunting schedule and many of their games are in quick succession
MANCHESTER CITY FIXTURES
December 9 – Marseille (home) – Champions League – 8pm
December 12 – Manchester United (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 15 – West Brom (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 19 – Southampton (away) – Premier League – 3pm
December 22 – Arsenal (away) – Carabao Cup – 8pm
December 26 – Newcastle (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 28 – Everton (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 3 – Chelsea (away) – Premier League – 4.30pm
January 5/6 – Manchester United (Carabao Cup semi-final)
January 10 – Birmingham (home) – FA Cup – 1.30pm
January 13 – Brighton (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 17 – Crystal Palace (home) – Premier League – 7.15pm
MANCHESTER UNITED
Amount of games: 11
Days without a game: 30 (average of 2.72 days off per game)
It is clear that Manchester United face a particularly busy schedule, especially after they made it through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Everton.
There also isn’t much time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to rest between many of their matches.
Manchester United face a very busy schedule, especially if they progress in the Carabao Cup
MANCHESTER UNITED FIXTURES
December 8 – RB Leipzig (away) – Champions League – 8pm
December 12 – Manchester City (home) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 17 – Sheffield United (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 20 – Leeds (home) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 23 – Everton (away) – Carabao Cup – 8pm
December 26 – Leicester (away) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 29 – Wolves (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 1 – Aston Villa (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 5/6 – Potential Carabao Cup semi-final
January 9 – Watford (home) – FA Cup – 8pm
January 17 – Liverpool (away) – Premier League – 4.30pm
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Amount of games: 10
Days without a game: 28 (average of 2.8 days off per game)
Despite not being in Europe, Newcastle are likely to found their squad stretched to the limit during this period.
Steve Bruce’s side have a busy run of games that includes some tough fixtures.
Newcastle are set for a very busy festive period with games in various different competitions
NEWCASTLE FIXTURES
December 12 – West Brom (home) – Premier League – 3pm
December 16 – Leeds (away) – Premier League – 6pm
December 19 – Fulham (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 22 – Brentford (away) – Carabao Cup – 5.30pm
December 26 – Manchester City (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 30 – Liverpool (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 3 – Leicester (home) – Premier League – 2.15pm
January 9 – Arsenal (away) – FA Cup – 5.30pm
January 12 – Sheffield United (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 18 – Arsenal (away) – Premier League – 8pm
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Amount of games: Nine
Days without a game: 27 (average of 3 days off per game)
Sheffield United are desperately in need of points and they will certainly hope to improve their situation somewhat during this period.
Chris Wilder’s side do have the benefit of some of their games being well spread out.
Sheffield United have struggled but their schedule over Christmas ins’t particularly hectic
SHEFFIELD UNITED FIXTURES
December 13 – Southampton (away) – Premier League – 12pm
December 17 – Manchester United (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 20 – Brighton (away) – Premier League – 12pm
December 26 – Everton (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 29 – Burnley (away) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – Crystal Palace (away) – Premier League – 3pm
January 9 – Bristol Rovers (away) – FA Cup – 3pm
January 12 – Newcastle (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 17 – Tottenham (home) – Premier League – 2pm
SOUTHAMPTON
Amount of games: Eight
Days without a game: 28 (average of 3.5 days off per game)
Southampton take on both Manchester City and Liverpool in this period.
However, while there may be some difficult games, they don’t have too many fixtures to cope with overall.
Southampton don’t have to play as many games as some of the other Premier League sides
SOUTHAMPTON FIXTURES
December 13 – Sheffield United (home) – Premier League – 12pm
December 16 – Arsenal (away) – Premier League – 6pm
December 19 – Manchester City (home ) – Premier League – 3pm
December 26 – Fulham (away) – Premier League – 3pm
December 29 – West Ham (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 4 – Liverpool (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 9 – Shrewsbury (home) – FA Cup – 8pm
January 16 – Leicester (away) – Premier League – 8pm
TOTTENHAM
Amount of games: 12
Days without a game: 27 (average of 2.25 days off per game)
Given that they will play games across four different competitions during this period, it is of little surprise that Tottenham will have to cope with a very busy fixture list.
There will be very little turnaround between games for Jose Mourinho’s side, and the Tottenham boss may be tempted to field several youngsters against Marine in the FA Cup.
Tottenham face an extremely busy fixture list as they play games across four competitions
TOTTENHAM FIXTURES
December 10 – Antwerp (home) – Europa League – 8pm
December 13 – Crystal Palace (away) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 16 – Liverpool (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 20 – Leicester (home) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 23 – Stoke (away) – Carabao Cup – 5.30pm
December 27 – Wolves (away) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 30 – Fulham (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – Leeds (home) – Premier League – 12.30pm
January 5/6 – Brentford, Carabao Cup semi-final
January 10 – Marine (away) – FA Cup – 5pm
January 13 – Aston Villa (away) – Premier League – 8.15pm
January 17 – Sheffield United (away) – Premier League – 2pm
WEST BROM
Amount of games: Eight
Days without a game: 28 (average of 3.5 days off per game)
West Brom find themselves in a difficult situation but they thankfully don’t have too many fixtures during this period.
The Baggies have some difficult games but also have plenty of time for recuperation between most matches.
West Bromwich Albion only have eight games to play during this year’s festive period
WEST BROM FIXTURES
December 12 – Newcastle (away) – Premier League – 3pm
December 15 – Manchester City (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 20 – Aston Villa (home) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 27 – Liverpool (away) – Premier League – 4.30pm
December 29 – Leeds (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 2 – Arsenal (home) – Premier League – 8pm
January 9 – Blackpool (away) – FA Cup – 3pm
January 16 – Wolves (away) – Premier League – 12.30pm
WEST HAM
Amount of games: Eight
Days without a game: 29 (average of 3.625 days off per game)
The trip to face Chelsea stands out as a tough fixture, but West Ham only have eight games during this period.
In addition, they have a significant gap between some of their fixtures so they should be able to deal with the situation well.
Compared to many other teams in the division, West Ham have a rather light schedule
WEST HAM FIXTURES
December 11 – Leeds (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 16 – Crystal Palace (home) – Premier League – 8pm
December 21 – Chelsea (away) – Premier League – 8pm
December 27 – Brighton (home) – Premier League – 2.15pm
December 29 – Southampton (home) – Premier League – 6pm
January 1 – Everton (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 11 – Stockport (away) – FA Cup – 8pm
January 16 – Burnley (home) – Premier League – 3pm
WOLVES
Amount of games: Nine
Days without a game: 27 (average of 3 days off per game)
There are some difficult games in this set of fixtures but there are several days between most of these matches.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo could give some of the club’s younger players opportunities at some stage.
Wolves have some difficult games in this period but don’t have as many fixtures as some times
WOLVES FIXTURES
December 12 – Aston Villa (home) – Premier League – 12.30pm
December 15 – Chelsea (home) – Premier League – 6pm
December 21 – Burnley (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
December 27 – Tottenham (home) – Premier League – 7.15pm
December 29 – Manchester United (away) – Premier League – 8pm
January 2 – Brighton (away) – Premier League – 5.30pm
January 8 – Crystal Palace (home) – FA Cup – 7.45pm
January 12 – Everton (home) – Premier League – 8.15pm
January 16 – West Brom (home) – Premier League – 12.30pm
OVERALL
AMOUNT OF GAMES
Manchester City – 12
Tottenham – 12
Manchester United – 11
Arsenal – 11
Everton – 10
Newcastle – 10
Chelsea – 9
Leicester – 9
Liverpool – 9
Aston Villa – 9
Brighton – 9
Crystal Palace – 9
Sheffield United – 9
Wolves – 9
Burnley – 8
Fulham – 8
Leeds – 8
Southampton – 8
West Ham – 8
West Brom – 8
AVERAGE DAYS OFF PER GAME
Leeds – 3.625
West Ham – 3.625
Southampton, West Brom – 3.5
Liverpool – 3.44
Burnley – 3.375
Crystal Palace – 3.375
Chelsea – 3.33
Fulham – 3.25
Leicester – 3.22
Aston Villa – 3
Sheffield United – 3
Wolves – 3
Brighton – 2.89
Manchester United – 2.72
Arsenal – 2.7
Newcastle – 2.54
Manchester City – 2.33
Everton – 2.27
Tottenham – 2.25
If Tottenham progress in the Carabao Cup Jose Mourinho’s side will have the busiest schedule
Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle all face particularly busy schedules, with the amount of games that they will play stretching into double figures.
Arsenal and Manchester United can take some solace from the fact that some of their games are spread out.
Manchester City and Tottenham play 12 games in this period, and Spurs have it worst out of all Premier League clubs with an average of just 2.25 days off between games.
