How the hectic Christmas schedule will shape the 2025/26 Premier League title chase and relegation battle

Turkey, presents, avoiding politics talk with family members… there are countless Christmas traditions in England and, for many, top of that list is the bumper festive fixture list to keep you occupied in and among the festive celebrations.

Kicking off on Saturday, December 20 with Newcastle v Chelsea – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – through to Thursday, January 8, the Premier League will serve up 50 matches, with each team playing at least five times throughout the just under four weeks ahead.

With little time for teams to rest and recover between games, this hectic schedule could well shape the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.

All fixtures UK time.

Arsenal

The Gunners still just about lead the way following a dramatic and nervy win over Wolves, but injuries and a slight dip in form have seen their lead at the top cut to just two points ahead of the busy period.

Tricky trips to Everton and Bournemouth will be big tests for Mikel Arteta’s side, while Brighton and Aston Villa will hardly be welcome Christmas guests at the Emirates, especially given an inconvenient Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace while most people will be thawing their turkey.

If Arsenal still find themselves on top of the tree by the end of their match against Liverpool, they will certainly be giving thanks.

Everton (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 20:00Crystal Palace (h)*Tuesday, December 23, 2025 – 20:00Brighton (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Aston Villa (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 20:15Bournemouth (a)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 17:30Liverpool (h)Thursday, January 8, 2026 – 20:00

*Carabao Cup

Aston Villa

Sitting third, and just three points behind the leaders, are a Villa side hoping to gatecrash the title picture this season.

Currently on a six-game winning streak in the league, if Unai Emery’s side are to do the unthinkable in 2026, they must first encounter three ghosts of Premier-League-title-wins past as they take on Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal over nine days before hosting Nottingham Forest and visiting Palace in the new year.

Manchester United (h)Sunday, December 21, 2025 – 16:30Chelsea (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 17:30Arsenal (a)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 20:15Nottingham Forest (h)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 12:30Crystal Palace (a)Wednesday January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Highlights: Aston Villa end Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten streak with injury-time Buendia winner

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bournemouth

In some parts of the world, cherries are synonymous with the Christmas period, but Andoni Iraola will hope opponents will not be looking at his Bournemouth side as an appetising dish over the next few weeks.

Matches against the three London clubs look a tough task but after their astonishing draw at Old Trafford, there should be more confidence heading into this stretch of games, especially when they have home advantage.

Burnley (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Brentford (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Cheslea (a)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Arsenal (h)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 17:30Tottenham Hotspur (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Brentford

The Bees will be looking to put some distance between themselves and the teams below them in the table, including Wolves, who they travel to at the weekend.

With 17 points from a possible 24, Keith Andrews’ side boast the fifth-best home record in the division this season – their only loss coming against Manchester City – so they will be pleased the schedule has handed them three matches at the G-Tech Stadium.

Like the Premier League’s own Kevin McCallister, they will be poised to defend their place of residence against would-be intruders Bournemouth, Spurs and Sunderland.

Wolves (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Bournemouth (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Tottenham Hotspur (h)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 20:00Everton (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Sunderland (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Brighton

With six wins, five draws, five defeats, 25 goals scored, 23 conceded, 23 points and currently slap, bang in 10th place, Brighton’s season so far is like unwrapping a pair of socks on Christmas Day: just fine, but nothing special.

The festivities present an opportunity to change that, but potentially favourable fixtures against two of the current bottom three are offset by away trips to the current top two, meaning if the results go as expected, mid-table will likely be where the Seagulls remain come the new year.

Sunderland (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Arsenal (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00West Ham (a)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Burnley (h)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 15:00Manchester City (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Brighton Manager Fabian Hurzeler

Image credit: Getty Images

Burnley

Heading into the Christmas period, Scott Parker’s side are on a dismal run of seven straight defeats as they find themselves mired in the relegation zone.

Things don’t get much easier for the beleaguered boss following a trip to former side Bournemouth, with a run of games in which they will be clear underdogs, and could effectively seal their Premier League fate before the decorations come down.

But stranger things have occurred over the festive period in the past, and the Turf Moor crowd will be clinging on to the famous Christmas movie quote that “faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to”.

Bournemouth (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Everton (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Newcastle (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Brighton (a)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 15:00Manchester United (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 20:15

Chelsea

Fourth-place Blues have received an early present in the form of a fit Cole Palmer, who was back on the scoresheet in their recent victory over Everton.

The question over whether Enzo Maresca’s side are title challengers or not will likely be unwrapped after these five testing fixtures, including a trip to St James’ Park and a visit to the Etihad in the new year.

Newcastle (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 12:30Aston Villa (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 17:30Bournemouth (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Manchester City (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 17:30Fulham (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

‘I have nothing to add’ – Chelsea boss Maresca refuses to elaborate on ‘worst 48 hours’ comments

Video credit: SNTV

Crystal Palace

Flying high so far this season, Palace might end up being a victim of their own success, with a fixture list stuffed tighter than the turkey threatening to undermine their ambitions.

With the addition of UEFA Conference League and Carabao Cup engagements to their league outings, the Eagles face seven games in 21 days, including three in six days before Christmas Day, leaving little time for those at the club to do their shopping.

KuPS (h)*Thursday, December 18, 2025 – 20:00Leeds (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 20:00Arsenal (a)**Tuesday, December 23, 2025 – 20:00Tottenham (h)Sunday, December 28, 2025 – 16:30Fulham (h)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 17:30Newcastle (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Aston Villa (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

*UEFA Conference League

**Carabao Cup

Everton

Like the many random Christmas selection boxes dished out, you’re never quite sure which Everton you’re going to get.

For their upcoming opponents, it’s unclear whether the Toffees they find will be sweet or just get stuck in their teeth.

Following their date with Arsenal, David Moyes’ side face teams all below them in the table, so they will hope to find some consistency and collect the points to propel them upwards.

Arsenal (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 20:00Burnley (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Nottingham Forest (a)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Brentford (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Wolves (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Fulham

With three London derbies and two home matches, Marco Silva’s side do not leave the capital for the entire Christmas period, meaning there will be no need for any Chris Rea on the team bus stereo this year.

Will Fulham take advantage of the lack of travel to claw themselves away from trouble?

Nottingham Forest (h)Monday, December 22, 2025 – 20:00West Ham (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Crystal Palace (a)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 17:30Liverpool (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Chelsea (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Leeds

Similarly, Leeds’ fixtures keep them very much in the north of England, but it’s certainly a more daunting task for Daniel Farke’s men.

Two trips to the north-east, as well as Liverpool, and hosting old rivals Manchester United in quick succession, might put something of a downer on those from Elland Road who are dreaming of a white Christmas.

Crystal Palace (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 20:00Sunderland (a)Sunday, December 28, 2025 – 14:00Liverpool (a)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 17:30Manchester United (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 12:30Newcastle (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 20:15

Liverpool

You’d usually expect those decked out from head to toe in red to be rather jolly this time of the year, but that’s not the case at Anfield, following an autumn collapse that has seen their title defence come apart at the seams faster than that jumper your granny lovingly knitted for you.

Then there’s the Mohamed Salah saga, and his upcoming absence for AFCON duty with Egypt strangely might not be a bad thing – an unthinkable sentence to even contemplate just one year ago.

Arne Slot’s side will be targeting wins from their home fixtures at least, and to rediscover their form from last season for their three trips to London.

Tottenham Hotspur (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 17:30Wolves (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Leeds (h)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 17:30Fulham (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Arsenal (a)Thursday, January 8, 2026 – 20:00

‘No issue to resolve’ – Slot on Salah’s future

Video credit: SNTV

Manchester City

TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown suggested earlier this month that City had begun to ‘purr’ in the title race, but that appears to have turned into a full-on growl, with Pep Guardiola’s side almost predictably closing in on top spot.

The festive period hands them the perfect opportunity to take back first place from Arsenal, and like a wide-eyed child receiving their new favourite toy on Christmas Day, few will see them letting it out of their grasp for a while.

West Ham (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Nottingham Forest (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 12:30Sunderland (a)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 20:00Chelsea (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 17:30Brighton (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Manchester United

Despite serving up a Christmas cracker against Bournemouth, United will be hoping manager Ruben Amorim will be their shepherd guiding them on what has become their own long road to Bethlehem as they seek a place in the top four.

Fixtures against struggling sides will look enticing, although they will be without their three wise men of Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo for this period, with the trio all on AFCON duty.

Aston Villa (a)Sunday, December 21, 2025 – 16:30Newcastle (h)Friday, December 26, 2025 – 20:00Wolves (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 20:15Leeds (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 12:30Burnley (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 20:15

Newcastle United

Much like ‘A Christmas Carol’, there would have been a risk of Christmas being cancelled entirely across Tyneside following the painful derby defeat to Sunderland in their last league outing.

The Magpies will indeed be working hard throughout the festive period, looking to kick-start a season that has yet to ignite so far. Three games in front of home supporters will be welcome, while trips to Old Trafford and Turf Moor will be seen as an opportunity to improve their record on the road.

Chelsea (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 12:30Manchester United (a)Friday, December 27, 2025 – 20:00Burnley (a)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Crystal Palace (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Leeds (h)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 20:15

Nottingham Forest

With trees being such a positive motif of the month, Forest will be hoping the one that adorns their crest can inspire similar joy at the City Ground in the coming weeks, especially with the visits of City and Everton to the east Midlands.

Away from home, potential six pointers at Fulham and West Ham will be key in the battle against the drop for Sean Dyche and his team.

Fulham (a)Monday, December 22, 2025 – 20:00Manchester City (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 12:30Everton (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Aston Villa (a)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 12:30West Ham (a)Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 20:00

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche

Image credit: Getty Images

Sunderland

Given their performance so far this season, Sunderland will be very familiar with the concept of surprise packages, with the Black Cats defying expectations to avoid being found at the bottom of the tree so far this season.

An unbeaten home record (I’ve already made the Home Alone reference above, so can’t do it again) will be put to the test when City arrive at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day, as well as long trips to Brighton, Spurs and Brentford to contend with.

Brighton (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Leeds (h)Sunday, December 28, 2025 – 14:00Manchester City (h)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 20:00Tottenham Hotspur (a)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Brentford (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs face three sides not far above them in the league, so will hope to pick up enough points against Liverpool, Palace and Sunderland to catapult themselves back into the top-four conversation in the new year.

Thomas Frank will be forgiven for thinking he is currently going through a George Bailey revelation from ‘It’s a Wonderful life’ as he looks at Brentford from the outside following his summer switch from west to north London, but will be back at his old stomping ground to kick off 2026, hoping to prove he has made the correct decision.

Liverpool (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 17:30Crystal Palace (a)Sunday, December 28, 2025 – 16:30Brentford (a)Thursday, January 1, 2026 – 20:00Sunderland (h)Sunday, January 4, 2026 – 15:00Bournmouth (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

Highlights: Spurs record back-to-back wins as Son watches on

Video credit: TNT Sports

West Ham United

The Hammers might well be in a giving mood when they travel to the Etihad, knowing that there are certainly more winnable matches on the table in the coming days and weeks.

Premier League survival will depend heavily on West Ham’s results against Fulham, Forest and Wolves, with whom they are currently involved in the relegation scrap.

Manchester City (a)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Fulham (h)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Brighton (h)Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – 19:30Wolves (a)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 15:00Nottingham Forest (a)Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – 20:00

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Seemingly already doomed, there is more debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie than whether Wolves will be playing top-flight football next season, but their own Star of Bethlehem to follow for the rest of the campaign is to avoid the Derby County record of just 11 points from 38 matches set in 2008.

Trips to Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton are hardly likely to help their cause, but as Arsenal nearly found to their cost, it would be unwise to underestimate Rob Edwards’ side.

Wolves will be hoping to catch at least one of their upcoming opponents full of too much Christmas dinner.

Brentford (h)Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 15:00Liverpool (a)Saturday, December 27, 2025 – 15:00Manchester United (a)Tuesday, December 2025 – 20:15West Ham (h)Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 15:00Everton (a)Wednesday, January 7, 2026 – 19:30

‘A wonderful moment for the team at the bottom’ – Arokodare goal gets Wolves back on level terms

Video credit: TNT Sports

Full Festive Premier League fixtures

All fixtures in UK time.

Saturday 20 December