With the festive period in English Premier League now well and truly upon us, the stock of number of clubs will change match after match now. While elsewhere in Europe the major football leagues are preparing to take their winter break, there will be no breather for the EPL clubs and players.
The Christmas period is always important for any team trying to win the Premier League as the games come thick and fast. Four games in nine days is never easy for any team. So let us look at the fixtures of some of the few teams that has big chance of holding that Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
Arsenal: Gunners are still the team to beat. But you can't ignore what happened at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City last week. They were outplayed and outclassed in every department. Having spent the majority of the season at the summit of the league this season, a loss against Chelsea and Arsene Wenger's side will drop to fourth. If Arsenal lose against Chelsea, not only would they lose the momentum going into the Christmas period, but players confidence will also take a hit. Arsenal players have started looking bit fatigue off late and squad depth will be key in this period. They face Chelsea on Monday night and follow it with a tricky away fixture against West Ham United on Boxing Day and then face Newcastle away in the following fixture and end their run with Cardiff at home. So by no means they have an easy fixtures during the festive period. If Arsenal manage to get through the Christmas period with some favourable results, then they might end their long wait for trophy this season.
Liverpool: With the top clubs so close together in the standings and the duo of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge missing a considerable amount of time to injury - Liverpool have the toughest task ahead during the festive period. The first big test of Liverpool's title credentials was passed with flying colours as they hammered Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane last weekend. But come Boxing Day they will take on in-form Manchester City side who have been in some splendid goal-scoring form. No team has left the Etihad Stadium without being bruised. But the biggest card might be in Liverpool's hand this time, Luis Suarez. Currently the best player in the league, the Reds will be praying for one thing that he continues with his form during the festive period as well. He has been scoring goals for fun and with fixtures against City, Chelsea coming up and that too both away from home, Liverpool have the toughest task in hand to keep hold of their No.1 spot.
Manchester City: Manchester City's rout of every opponent they face at home would be enough to keep them right up their during the Christmas period. They've scored an unbelievable 22 goals in their last four home matches. After edging Fulham during the weekend - they take on Liverpool on Boxing Day at home and then follow it up with another home fixture against Crystal Palace. Considering their home form and the depth in the squad they will surely be able to take maximum points out of these two. However, it's been a completely different story away from Etihad. In their last four away results, they have two losses and a draw to show. And with Swansea on the New Year's day they might drop a few point there but if they manage to pull this one off as well so don't be surprised if we see them top of the league after the festive period.
Chelsea: Jose Mourinho's squad has faced plenty of frustration in his first year at the helm since his return but they have still managed to be right in the mix of the things. Currently they are fifth on the table and take on Arsenal as they start off their busy festive period. They have a decent record at Emirates Stadium, but victory in this showdown will help them to top spot and will also push Gunners down to No.4. Chelsea will also know that a second successive defeat for the Gunners in EPL will fuel the suspicion that their fine form over the first half of the season cannot be sustained. Blues' difficult Christmas period will continue as they clash with Liverpool on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge and judging by the current form this might be a tricky fixture for the home team. If Chelsea can figure out this period, they will surely be knocking on that top spot come May.
Everton, Tottenham and Newcastle: Though these teams will surely not win the title but will have a huge say for the Champions League spots provided they finish fourth or higher. While neither of the three teams have particularly tough fixtures, except Tottenham who travel to Old Trafford on New Year's day. The congested fixture list does require squad rotation to prevent injuries piling up. Bench strength will be the key and while unrest in the team may spoil Tottenham's run as Everton look to be best equipped to handle the trying period.
Manchester United: Surely, Manchester United knew that life after Alex Ferguson would be hard, but they probably did not expect it to be quite this hard. They find themselves eighth in the table, eight points behind the league leaders. David Moyes' first season in charge hasn't been a smooth ride, but Saturday's 3-1 win over West Ham should set the club up for a positive Christmas period. With away games against Hull City and Norwich City, United will be looking for nothing less than six points. The final game will be against Spurs at Old Trafford, so United might be the biggest winners during this period and this might see them close the gap. Moyes and Co. will be looking to finish in top four at least this season as their hopes of retaining the title have suffered a massive blow.
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