Premier League sides face a busy Christmas schedule ahead of the FA Cup third round... but who does your side play in the coming weeks?

  • Premier League teams will play up to six time over the next couple of weeks
  • The likes of Manchester City have FA Cup and Carabao Cup commitments, too
  • But who faces the toughest run of festive fixtures among the top-flight clubs?
  • Sportsmail runs you through who and when each side plays over Christmas 

As many teams across Europe put their feet up for Christmas, the Premier League continues apace with a busy set of fixtures over the coming weeks.

With the Carabao Cup quarter-finals taking place this week and the FA Cup third round taking place early in January, Manchester City and Co face a tough schedule over the festive period.

Here, Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on who and when your side play over the next two-and-half weeks.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who lead the Premier League, face six matches in 18 days

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who lead the Premier League, face six matches in 18 days

 

Manchester City 

CITY'S XMAS RUN

Dec 19 - Leicester (a) - Carabao Cup

Dec 23 - Bournemouth (h)

Dec 27 - Newcastle (a) 

Dec 31 - Crystal Palace (a) 

Jan 2 - Watford (h) 

Jan 6 - Burnley (h) - FA Cup

(Premier League unless stated) 

Advertisement

With Pep Guardiola's side still fighting on four fronts, the league leaders face six matches in 18 days, starting with Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Leicester.


There are a few crumbs of comfort for City supporters, though. Their four Premier League games come against sides ninth or below (Bournemouth, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Watford).

The January 2 visit of Watford, meanwhile, is the only one of their matches to fall less than four days after their previous outing.

 

Manchester United  

UNITED'S XMAS RUN 

Dec 20 - Bristol City (a) - Carabao Cup

Dec 23 - Leicester (a) 

Dec 26 - Burnley (h) 

Dec 30 - Southampton (h) 

Jan 1 - Everton (a) 

Jan 5 - Derby (h) - FA Cup

Advertisement

Like their City rivals, Manchester United face a tough run of six matches over the festive period. And like the league leaders, they don't face any of the other so-called 'big six' in this time.

But United's schedule is much more cramped than City's. They begin their Christmas campaign a day later than their rivals and finish it a day earlier, meaning they face six matches in 17 days.

As a result, only twice in this period do Jose Mourinho's side enjoy a break of more than three days between matches. 

Manchester United will not face any of the other so-called 'big six' sides over the festive period

Manchester United will not face any of the other so-called 'big six' sides over the festive period

 

Chelsea

CHELSEA'S XMAS RUN

Dec 20 - B'mouth (H) - Carabao Cup

Dec 23 - Everton (a) 

Dec 26 - Brighton (h) 

Dec 30 - Stoke (h) 

Jan 3 - Arsenal (a) 

Jan 6 - Norwich (a) - FA Cup

Advertisement

Antonio Conte may have already conceded the Premier League title to Manchester City. But the Chelsea boss will know how crucial this period could be in determining the destinations of trophies come the end of the season.

The Premier League champions are still fighting on four fronts, meaning they also face six matches over the next two-and-a-half weeks. They begin their festive campaign with a Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth before four league games, finishing with a tough trip to Arsenal.

Conte's side are fortunate, however, that they enjoy a minimum gap of three days between each of their matches.

 

Liverpool

L'POOL'S XMAS RUN

Dec 22 - Arsenal (a) 

Dec 26 - Swansea (h) 

Dec 30 - Leicester (h) 

Jan 1 - Burnley (h) 

Jan 5 - Everton (h) - FA Cup

Advertisement

Last season, a sorry run in January derailed Liverpool's hopes of mounting a serious title challenge and saw them exit two domestic cups.

This time round, Jurgen Klopp's side head into Christmas on the back of an impressive win at Bournemouth. Following their Carabao Cup defeat by Leicester, too, they face only five matches between December 22 and January 5.

Their festive run begins with a trip to Arsenal and finishes with a Merseyside derby clash with rivals Everton at Anfield.

Liverpool follow their victory over Bournemouth with five matches between now and January 5

Liverpool follow their victory over Bournemouth with five matches between now and January 5

 

Arsenal 

ARSENAL'S XMAS RUN 

Dec 19 - West Ham (h) - Carabao Cup

Dec 22 - Liverpool (h) 

Dec 28 - Crystal Palace (a)

Dec 31 - West Brom (a) 

Jan 3 - Chelsea (h) 

Jan 7 - Nottingham Forest (a) - FA Cup

Advertisement

Unlike some of their rivals in the race for the top four, Arsenal's upcoming fixture schedule is not particularly appetising.

Six matches in 19 matches, including three London derbies and a clash with Liverpool. 

Between now and their FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest on January 7, Arsenal face matches with Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Ham, as well as league games against the Reds and West Brom.

 

Burnley

BURNLEY'S XMAS RUN

Dec 23 - Tottenham (h) 

Dec 26 - Man United (a) 

Dec 30 - Huddersfield (a) 

Jan 1 - Liverpool (a)

Jan 6 - Man City (a) - FA Cup

Advertisement

If Burnley believe they belong alongside the big boys of the Premier League, now is the time to prove it. 

Sean Dyche's side continued their mightily impressive form with another point and another clear sheet on Saturday against Brighton.

But now they must navigate a nasty run of fixtures, which includes league clashes with Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as an FA Cup tie at Manchester City. 

Sean Dyche's Burnley can prove they belong with the Premier League big boys over Christmas

Sean Dyche's Burnley can prove they belong with the Premier League big boys over Christmas

 

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino's side face a double edged sword in the coming weeks. They face only two matches between now and the end of 2018. And then three in the first seven days of the New Year.

Leicester

 Claude Puel's Leicester face a tough run of four matches in the next 12 days, with games against Manchester City and United to come this week. They then enjoy a (relatively) relaxing start to 2018, with two matches in six days.

Everton 

New boss Sam Allardyce has brought some much needed festive cheer to the blue side of Merseyside. But that could evaporate if results go against them in a tough run of four matches in 10 days. They welcome Chelsea and Man United ahead of January's glamour tie with Liverpool.

Everton have been in fine form since Sam Allardyce took over as manager

Everton have been in fine form since Sam Allardyce took over as manager

TOTTENHAM, LEICESTER AND EVERTON'S XMAS RUN

Tottenham

Dec 23 - Burnley (a)

Dec 26 - S'hampton (h) 

Jan 2 - Swansea (a)

Jan 4 - West Ham (h)

Jan 7 - AFC Wimbledon (h) - FA Cup

Leciester

Dec 19 - Man City (h) - Carabao Cup)

Dec 23 - Man United (h)

Dec 26 - Watford (a)

Dec 30 - Liverpool (a) 

Jan 1 - Huddersfield (h)

Jan 6 - Fleetwood (a) - FA Cup 

Everton 

Dec 23 - Chelsea (h) 

Dec 26 - West Brom (a) 

Dec 30 - Bounemouth (a)

Jan 1 - Man United (h)

Jan 5 - Liverpool (a) - FA Cup 

Advertisement
 

Watford

A home defeat by Bristol City in the Carabao Cup was not Watford's finest hour. But they will have the chance for revenge in the FA Cup. And the result does, at least, allow Marco Silva's side a bit more breathing space over Christmas. They face five matches between now and January 6, a run that includes a trip to Manchester City.

Huddersfield

The fixture gods appear to be shining brightly on David Wagner and his side at this most wonderful time of the year. Burnley are the only side currently in the top six that the new boys have to face ahead of their FA Cup trip top Bolton on January 6.

Southampton

The same can't be said for Mauricio Pellegrino, who has been dealt a tough hand between now and 2018. After facing Huddersfield, Southampton travel to Tottenham and Manchester United in the space of four days. 

Southampton, who lost at Chelsea on Saturday, face a tough run of games over Christmas

Southampton, who lost at Chelsea on Saturday, face a tough run of games over Christmas

WATFORD, HUDDERSFIELD AND SOUTHAMPTON'S XMAS RUN

 Watford

Dec 23 - Brighton (a)

Dec 26 - Leicester (h) 

Dec 30 - Swansea (h)

Jan 2 - Man City (a)

Jan 6 - Bristol City (h) - FA Cup

Huddersfield

Dec 23 - S'hampton (a) 

Dec 26 - Stoke (h) 

Dec 30 - Burnley (h) 

Jan 1 - Leicester (a)

Jan 6 - Bolton (a) - FA Cup

Southampton 

Dec 23 - Huddersfield (h)

Dec 26 - Tottenham (a) 

Dec 30 - Man United (a)

Jan 2 - Crystal Palace (h)

Jan 6 - Fulham (a) - FA Cup

 

Advertisement
 

Brighton

Chris Hughton's side are in a rut. But the Christmas period does give them five matches in quick succession to try and arrest their slump. Wins won't come easily against the likes of Watford, Chelsea or Crystal Palace, though. 

Crystal Palace

By contrast, Palace are climbing up the table under Roy Hodgson. They do face a tough run of games before Christmas, however, with clashes against Arsenal and Manchester City to come before the end of the year. They will get to renew their rivalry with Brighton on January 8 in the FA Cup, though.

West Ham

David Moyes is working wonders at the London Stadium. But six matches in 18 days will provide a tough test for his side. They face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday ahead of Premier League games with the likes of Newcastle and West Brom. 

Bournemouth face Chelsea, Manchester City, West Ham and Everton before the end of 2017

Bournemouth face Chelsea, Manchester City, West Ham and Everton before the end of 2017

BRIGHTON, PALACE, WEST HAM AND BOURNEMOUTH'S XMAS RUN

Brighton 

Dec 23- Watford (h)

Dec 26 - Chelsea (a) 

Dec 30 - Newcastle (a)

Jan 1 - Bounemouth (h)

Jan 8- Crystal Palace (h) - FA Cup

Crystal Palace 

Dec 23 - Swansea (a)

Dec 28 - Arsenal (h) 

Dec 31 -Man City (h) 

Jan 2 - Southampton (a)

Jan 8 - Brighton (a) - FA Cup

West Ham 

Dec 19 - Arsenal (a) - Carabao Cup

Dec 23 - Newcastle (h)

Dec 26 - Bournemouth (a)

Jan 2 - West Brom (h)

Jan 4 - Tottenham (a)

Jan 7 - Shrewsbury (a) - FA Cup

Bournemouth

Dec 20 - Chelsea (Carabao Cup)

Dec 23 - Man City (a) 

Dec 26 - West Ham (h)

Dec 30 - Everton (h)

Jan 1 - Brighton (a) 

Jan 6 - Wigan (h) - FA Cup 

Advertisement
 

Bournemouth 

What do you give a team who has just been battered by Liverpool? Clashes with Chelsea and Manchester City, of course. It's not an easy end to the year for Eddie Howe's side, who also face West Ham and Everton ahead of the turn of the year.

Stoke 

Mark Hughes' side are plummeting faster than Santa Claus down the chimney. Well, not literally. But they need a result. Over the Christmas period they face massive clashes with fellow basement boys West Brom and Newcastle, as well as a trip to Chelsea.

Newcastle 

The mood around Newcastle has been buoyed by reports of an potential change of ownership. But the goodwill will soon evaporate unless results improve. Their tough run of five matches in 14 days begins with clashes with West Ham and Manchester City and ends with the visit of Luton.

Newcastle's run of five matches in 14 days begins with games with West Ham and Man City

Newcastle's run of five matches in 14 days begins with games with West Ham and Man City

West Brom

Five games in 14 days could allow West Brom to kick-start their faltering season. Or further condemn them to a nervous final few months of the season. They face fellow strugglers Stoke and West Ham in the coming weeks, as well as Arsenal and Exeter City.

Swansea

Paul Clement needs a Christmas miracle. His side are rock bottom of the Premier League and six matches between now and January 6. They face tough trips to Everton and Liverpool as well as home matches with the likes of Tottenham and resurgent Crystal Palace.

STOKE, PALACE, WEST HAM AND BOURNEMOUTH'S XMAS RUN

Stoke 

Dec 23- West Brom (h)

Dec 26 - Huddersfield (a)

Dec 30 - Chelsea (a)

Jan 1 - Newcastle (h)

Jan 6 - Coventry (a) - FA Cup

Newcastle 

Dec 23 - West Ham (a)

Dec 27 - Man City (h)

Dec 30 -Brighton (h)

Jan 1 - Stoke (a)

Jan 6 - Luton (h) - FA Cup

West Brom 

Dec 23 - Stoke (a)

Dec 26 - Everton (h) 

Dec 31 - Arsenal (h)

Jan 2 - West Ham (a)

Jan 6 - Exeter (a) - FA Cup

Swansea 

Dec 18 - Everton (a) 

Dec 23 - Crystal Palace (h)

Dec 26 - Liverpool (a)

Dec 30 - Watford (a)

Jan 2 - Tottenham (h) 

Jan 6 - Wolves (a) - FA Cup

Advertisement