Chelsea have had four of their six league matches scheduled to take place in December moved for a televised audience in the United Kingdom. The Premier League announced the modifications on Monday, October 19, with Xabi Alonso’s men facing Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, among other teams.
The Blues open the month by hosting Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, December 2, with kick-off now set for 7.30pm on Sky Sports. Liverpool visit West London on Saturday, December 5, with the game’s kick-off moved to 12:30 pm (TNT Sports).
Alonso’s men face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, December 12, kick-off at 17:30 (Sky Sports). Their next league match, before the Christmas holiday, sees them entertain Aston Villa on Monday, December 21, with an 8 pm (Sky Sports) kick-off.
However, the game against Villa is not definite at the moment as it might be played on Saturday, December 19, also at 8 pm. The date and time will be confirmed depending on whether either team will participate in the Carabao Cup.
The rescheduling comes with Chelsea sitting fourth in the table on 13 points after seven games, eight points behind leaders Manchester City. The Blues’ victory was Everton’s first defeat of the campaign as Chelsea recorded their first league clean sheet in nine months.
However, the fixture list for the Blues’ Christmas fixtures in England was already publicised before the modifications on Monday. Their adventure begins on Sunday, December 27, when they visit Coventry City at 2:00 pm before challenging Ipswich Town on Wednesday, December 30, with a 20:15 kick-off at Portman Road.
Chelsea Face Liverpool at Anfield in Carabao Cup Fourth Round
The Blues’ Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, with an 8 pm kick-off (Sky Sports, ITV). Xabi Alonso’s men registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Luton Town in the second round in August. They progressed to the fourth round after a thrilling 6-3 win over Leeds United.
The match marks Alonso’s return to Anfield as a Chelsea manager after spending five years at the club in his playing career. It will be a nostalgic journey for the Spanish tactician as well as the Blues’ supporters who registered a famous 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup in 2018.
However, the Reds have had the upper hand in the rivalry since then, after beating the Blues in two League Cup finals in 2022 and 2024. Chelsea have not won the competition since 2015, and their fans hope the Wembley final on March 21 will be their day of celebration.