You and Boxing Day
The scent of ribs and pork knuckle is fighting for hegemony in the kitchen. Have the presents been bought, or have they been? You should do one last check, nothing can be left to chance. You are buzzing around a Christmas-decorated house, the Christmas socks from last year are on your feet, and you feel that the Christmas peace is about to sink in. Outside, a few large snowflakes are quietly falling, landing gently on the terrace. It is Christmas in the steep country between fjords and mountains, and the family is together. You feel lucky, you are privileged, and you can do exactly what you want. Exactly what you want, because what is it that an Anglophile sports idiot like you is looking forward to the most? Well, if we ignore Christmas food and the gift party later in the evening, it must be football that is rolling in England. Holidays, all the time, and matches almost daily throughout the Christmas season. What a joy!
You learned about Boxing Day early, and then associated it with Premier League football. It wasn't until adulthood that you realized what this day was really about. From ancient times, December 26th was a day when servants, the poor, and those in low-paid jobs received gifts from the better-off in society. So what about that day today? Yes, now the day is associated with shopping, sports, and abundance. Times change. But, for you, it's football. History class is just a vague memory in the back of your mind, it's a yellow ball, snow in the air, and some real treats from the world's toughest league that apply! Boxing Day in 2025 is, however, an ever-so-small slice of joy. This day is usually wallpapered with matches from Christmas breakfast is consumed, until your eyes cross late at night. But not this year. This year you'll only be served one match. In return, there's a proper British showdown coming through the screen on this day. Manchester United takes on Newcastle. A game with a lot of history, and a game both teams want to win. And take heart, there will be football on December 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30 and January 1 as well. You'll probably get your dose.
Skinny Boxing Day this year
Boxing Day is a big part of British football. It is therefore not entirely without problems that a packed Christmas schedule has been reduced to one match on this day this year. The explanation is very simple, the TV rights are the order of the day. The agreement stipulates a given number of football weekends during the year, and by 2025, the clubs were about to run out of weekends. The result, as December 26th this year falls on a Friday, is that the round will mainly have to be played on Saturday and Sunday. Formalities, detailed agreements, and huge advertising revenues dominate the boardrooms, and then even the most ingrained traditions have to give way. A shame, many believe, as December 26th has become a day when many people meet, perhaps take a short break from family, meet friends, and watch football. Manchester United will not welcome Newcastle until 9pm Norwegian time this Friday, so the football fun will simply have to be postponed for a day this year. That said, it's still a great opportunity to watch football with your friends at 9 pm on Boxing Day, too, with a little Christmas beer/gingerbread in hand.
Boxing Day in a historical perspective
If we take a little trip back in time, these boxes that servants received from their employers were worth their weight in gold. The name has its direct origin from here, and was the very Christmas celebration for those who did not have much to do. It started as a custom where the low-paid maid had to work extra at Christmas, in exchange for compensation on Boxing Day. The day eventually became a day off for the servants, where they were given the opportunity to travel home to their families, with a box of leftovers in their luggage. This Christmas food that was left over among the nobility was a taste of the good life for those who could never afford to buy this type of luxury themselves. Time passes, and these gifts become more elaborate after a while. Now it is no longer just leftovers, with fine food, clothes, and perhaps an ever-so-small bonus check. December 26th became the day of the year when those who were in need during the rest of the year could go to bed well and full.
Football on December 26th was the solution
Such a day off eventually had to be filled with something. Sports became the answer, and especially football in England. The rich who sat at home in their living rooms, without servants, naturally had to be entertained, and why not schedule the biggest matches for this very day. People went to the match, had a beer, and the tradition took hold. It is difficult to date exactly, but it is possible to verify that the custom has been around since the biggest clubs were established towards the end of the 19th century. For many football fans in this country, the day has been set aside for the sofa, TV, Christmas cakes, and something good in a glass. If we are spoiled with one match this year, it will fortunately be corrected next year, because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, and the problem is solved.
Who will top the Premier League when the New Year's rockets go off?
So who will emerge victorious from this year's Premier League Christmas programme? Arsenal are currently top of the table, just ahead of Manchester City, with Aston Villa in an impressive third. A small gap has formed between the three, with Chelsea, Palace, United and reigning champions Liverpool all close behind. But who will take first place at the end of the year? Let's take a look!
Arsenal face Brighton and Villa at home, and Everton away. Three manageable games, but not a guarantee of nine points either. Villa are in great form, and are fully capable of stealing points from London. You never know with Everton, and now, injured as they are, this may be the easiest game of the Christmas program for Arteta's men.
Manchester City beats West Ham at home. But then it gets a little tougher. Both Nottingham and Sunderland away. Both of these games are difficult, and even if locomotive Haaland continues to steam, it's not just about collecting these six points. Not so different levels of difficulty for City and Arsenal through Christmas.
Aston Villa will be tested. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. It doesn't get much tougher, and if you manage to get through this series with at least five, six points, you have in a way confirmed your position at the top of the Premier League. All the games can also be easily lost, so here we may get the clearest answers for how the road ahead will be for the team from Birmingham.
Could Manchester United and Liverpool get involved?
Both Manchester United and Liverpool have a huge fan base here in Norway, so let's take a look at what these two are up against. United, for their part, travel to Villa Park next weekend. A real challenge against a team with a tailwind. Then it's Newcastle and Wolves, both on their home turf. Everyone beats the Wolves, but the other two could be too tough for Amorim's boys. The Portuguese has finally started to assess his formations, so let's see what he lands on in the first two games, and perhaps more importantly, what players he has available. This is also Slot's challenge. Liverpool are struggling with injuries, and Salah has left for AFCON. Not that Salah has been the tip of the iceberg lately. Gakpo is out, Isak is limping, Gomez went off with an injury against Brighton, and Szoboszlai had to throw in the towel towards the end. The Hungarian has been Liverpool's best player this year, and is vital if there are to be any Christmas points. Away against Spurs, at home against Wolves, and at home against Leeds. If you are going to get into the top flight, you have to win them all.
Arsenal are the winners of AFCON
Arsenal or Manchester City will lead the Premier League when we write 2026. Who will do it is wide open. Can the AFCON players be decisive? Perhaps rather doubtful, but Arsenal will not lose anyone to the African championship. For City, it is Ait-Nouri and Marmoush who are leaving. Not the most central figures. The biggest guy getting on the plane south is indisputably Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian magician has been in the news for a while now, and even though he was back in the heat against Brighton last time, the last word on the matter is probably not said. Salah recorded an assist in this match, and thus took the record from Rooney in terms of most goals scored for one and the same club. Salah is a Premier League legend, and at least he himself believes that there should be room for bad games without losing his place. We will see how Slot will agree with that in the future. Liverpool must in any case look to guys like Ekitike, Chiesa, Wirtz and Isak for the next matches. For the Reds from Manchester, Mbeumo leaves. A loss for a club that is trying hard to find form towards the end of the year. Semenyo was supposed to be on the trip too, but Ghana failed to qualify. Good luck to Bournemouth.
Everton stands back
In terms of odds, we can pay a little extra attention to Everton. The team's two most important players may be leaving here, and without Ndiaye and Gueye it may be tough to collect too many points at Christmas. Arsenal, Burnley and Nottingham are what they have been assigned, and it is likely that only the match against Burnley can result in points. An underdog or a BTS: No, can be considered in Everton's matches.
90MinuteFamily is on the ball!
Then all you have to do is settle down, open a Christmas soda, and enjoy lots of football. Okay, so there wasn't much action on Boxing Day this year, but the total is still good, and there are more than enough matches on the screen to irritate both the wife and children. Choose wisely, find a quiet corner, and enjoy matches with a little extra atmosphere from the stands. Football from England is, if possible, even stronger than before, and know that, we from 90MinuteFamily watch every minute to be able to give you the best odds bets. We love English football, and together with you, we will see if we can't arrange a small contribution to the Christmas rockets too. Play with caution, don't forget what Christmas is really about, and enjoy your favorite team in the Christmas period. Boxing Day, and plenty of Premier League throughout the Christmas period, are here to stay - and we love it!
A very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours from all of us in the editorial team!
