Manchester City have learned their fate over the course of the Christmas period, with the Premier League announcing the club's schedule earlier than usual
A Manchester City fan in a Santa suit
Man City's Christmas fixtures have been confirmed(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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The Premier League have announced Manchester City's fixture dates covering the Christmas period, with Manchester United's complaints regarding timing paying dividends. United were among a number of teams in the English top flight who requested that officials bring forward their Christmas announcement, in a bid to allow fans better planning for fixtures.
While all Premier League matches are defaulted to 3pm on a Saturday, the league and broadcasters reserve the right to make alterations dependent on which fixtures they want to broadcast. That can sometimes prove problematic, however, as Newcastle United fans voiced their frustrations at having to travel 292 miles all-round to watch their club play against the Reds at 8pm on Boxing Day last year.
Reports suggest that United held meetings with the Premier League, alongside the Football Supporters Association, urging executives to announce schedules for the festive period earlier, so fans can book travel and accommodation in advance. The Football Supporters Association were also incredibly critical of the League's decision on the timing of United vs Newcastle a little over 12 months ago, considering it was the longest away day of the Gameweek.
A statement at the time read: "The Premier League's TV selections for Xmas and NY have finally been announced a fortnight after they were supposed to be. Newcastle United's game at Old Trafford - the longest trip of that Gameweek - has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless."
Having listened to complaints, the Premier League have now released their fixtures for the festive period a month earlier than last year, much to the delight of teams and fans across the country.
Manchester City Christmas fixtures
Manchester City will travel to St. James Park to face Newcastle United on Boxing Day, with kick-off slated for 8pm. Their clash with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, meanwhile, has been brought forward to Tuesday, December 29.
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That game will get underway at 8.15pm. The first game of the New Year for the Cityzens takes place against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium at 4.30pm on Sunday, January 3.
A trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United then ensues on Wednesday, January 6. Kick-off for that match is also 8.15pm. All of those matches will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
A statement on Manchester City's website confirming the changes read: "As part of an ongoing dialogue between the Premier League and the Football Supporters' Association, broadcasters agreed to bring forward the announcement of live selections for match rounds 17-20 to give supporters greater notice of changes over the festive period and New Year."
The club added that their dates and times for November and the rest of December's fixtures will be confirmed at a later date.
Fixtures in full
Newcastle United vs Manchester City - Saturday December 26th, 8pm (Sky Sports)
Everton vs Manchester City - Tuesday December 29th, 8.15pm (Sky Sports)
Manchester City vs Tottenham - Sunday January 3rd, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Leeds United vs Manchester City - Wednesday January 6th, 8.15pm (Sky Sports)