The festive period is not as busy as it once was in the Premier League, with steps taken to make the schedule less crammed. It means, starting from this Sunday, Leicester City have a manageable four games in 14 days taking them through Christmas and into the new year.
But, the run of matches is often a period of surprise results, while it will see the Premier League reach its halfway stage. How the table looks after these next four games will be intriguing.
And so, we have taken a look at each of the relegation battlers’ four festive fixtures to see who has the trickiest run and who could gain ground.
West Ham, 14th, 19 points
Fixtures: Brighton (H), Southampton (A), Liverpool (H), Man City (A)
The Hammers share two of the same opponents as City in their festive four, also taking on league leaders Liverpool and reigning champions Man City. Like City, they also have a European contender and a fellow relegation battler.
Crystal Palace, 15th, 16 points
Fixtures: Arsenal (H), Bournemouth (A), Southampton (H), Chelsea (H)
While every other club at the bottom has a two home, two away split to their Christmas fixtures, Palace have three matches at Selhurst Park. However, two of those games are against second and third in Chelsea and Arsenal. With Bournemouth away, this is not an easy schedule either.
Everton, 16th, 15 points
Fixtures: Chelsea (H), Man City (A), Nottm Forest (H), Bournemouth (A)
The Toffees look to have the toughest run of the relegation battlers, with all four of their opponents currently sitting in the top six. They’ve only lost two of their last 11, but they’ll do well to keep up that form over Christmas.
City, 17th, 14 points
Fixtures: Wolves (H), Liverpool (A), Man City (H), Aston Villa (A)
Victory this weekend feels especially important given the three fixtures that follow, albeit Man City at home is now far from a write-off, given their form. But this is a tough schedule for van Ruud van Nistelrooy and his players. If they’re still outside the relegation zone by the end of it, they should be pleased.
Ipswich, 18th, 12 points
Fixtures: Newcastle (H), Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H), Fulham (A)
It helps City that Ipswich have such a tough run too. Newcastle may be 12th, but they’re only two points off sixth, and then title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea follow before a trip to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side going well. The Tractor Boys and Everton are the only two sides at the bottom not to play a relegation rival over Christmas.
Wolves, 19th, 9 points
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Man United (H), Tottenham (A), Nottm Forest (H)
As with City, this weekend’s showdown at the King Power Stadium looks a big one for Wolves given the fixtures that come after. However, Man United and Spurs are inconsistent. It could be a tougher start for incoming boss Vitor Pereira.
Southampton, 20th, 5 points
Fixtures: Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Brentford (H)
Whoever the new Saints boss is, they have a great chance to make up some ground with what is the kindest Christmas fixture list on paper of the relegation battlers. After Fulham away, they take on two sides in the fight at the bottom and then a Brentford side who have just one point from 21 on the road.
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