A new study has looked at 32 years of football matches on December 26th to reveal which teams truly have the best Christmas gift of all - a Boxing Day win
Couple watching football on TV
Fans clock up ten hours of watching football on boxing day (
Image: Getty Images)
It's been revealed that Manchester United top the Premier League charts when it comes to Boxing Day victories.
Stats from over 32 years of football show that the Red Devils boast more wins on December 26th than any other club, securing 21 victories and slamming in 76 goals.
On the flip side, it's been a tough time for Newcastle on Boxing Day, with the team suffering 15 defeats and letting in 45 goals.
Other big names like Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea, and Aston Villa have had their shares of ups and downs on this festive footballing event, finding themselves among the top 10 in both wins and losses.
This insight emerges just as a study involving 2,000 football fans reveals that 40% are most excited for the Boxing Day matches, a tradition that's become more anticipated than events like transfer deadline day (13%) or even the Carabao Cup final (10%).
Highlights of Boxing Day include a full schedule of matches and the quintessential turkey sandwiches during game-time viewing.
Fans typically indulge in a football marathon, clocking up to 10 hours watching back-to-back live action across five different matches.
A spokesperson from Lottoland Sportsbook, behind the survey, expressed: "There's just so much to love about it, and the Boxing Day fixtures are among the first people will look out for when they are released."
Interestingly, the research also uncovered that a quarter of supporters spare little thought for Premier League players having to 'work' over the festive period, with over a third lacking any sympathy at all.
Other reasons people enjoy watching football on Boxing Day include finally bidding farewell to 'Christmassy' TV and films and utilising it as a chance to take a break from family duties.
The research indicates that 34% are especially excited for this year's December 26 fixtures as the title race heats up. However, three in 10 confess that if their favourite team loses on Boxing Day, it has the potential to spoil their entire festive season.
A spokesperson for Lottoland Sportsbook commented: "Of course, watching loads of football is lots more fun if your team happens to be winning. Losing two or three games in quick succession is nobody's idea of a good time."
"But for the neutrals who don't have a particular horse in the race, the endless supply of action can only be a good thing."
TOP 10 TEAMS WITH THE MOST WINS ON BOXING DAY:
Manchester United - 21 Wins
Liverpool - 17 Wins
Arsenal - 16 Wins
Chelsea - 13 Wins
Tottenham Hotspur - 13 Wins
Everton - 11 Wins
Manchester City - 11 Wins
Blackburn Rovers - 7 Wins
West Ham United - 7 Wins
Aston Villa - 5 Wins
TOP 10 TEAMS WITH THE MOST LOSSES ON BOXING DAY:
Newcastle United - 15 losses
Aston Villa - 14 losses
Leicester City - 11 losses
Everton - 10 losses
Middlesbrough - 9 losses
Manchester City - 7 losses
Sunderland - 7 losses
Norwich City - 7 losses
West Bromwich Albion - 7 losses
Chelsea - 6 losses