The holidays mean a busy time for Premier League clubs. While many of us are spending time with our families and scoffing at mince pies and roast dinners, footballers will be traveling the country in search of points to bring some Christmas cheer to the supporters.
The traditional football matches will once again test the resolve of some fans as devoted followers of the game sacrifice time with their loved ones over the festive period to tackle the grueling and expensive task of following their team around England.
Matches over Christmas can make or break seasons, with most teams playing three matches between December 21 and the New Year.
With fixtures coming in quick succession, clubs will have to rack up the miles, whether that's by bus or plane as they travel around the country in pursuit of victories.
League leaders Liverpool face an intense schedule at the end of December, while their title rivals will enjoy the luxury of spending all their time close to home.
According to Grosvenor Sport, the Reds will have to travel further than any other team over the Christmas period from this weekend, which will boost the title hopes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Arne Slot's side have two trips to the capital before the start of 2025, with only the only league match at Anfield on Boxing Day against Leicester City.
On Sunday, the title-chasing Reds travel to north London to take on Tottenham, looking for their first league win since their victory over Manchester City on December 1.
Liverpool's final match of 2024 is back in London, this time away at West Ham United, meaning they will cover a total of 722 miles over the Christmas calendar, which is just over 30 miles more than Newcastle United, who have the second second highest mileage in history. the competition.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum you have Arsenal, who won't even leave London over the festive period. The Gunners play once at the Emirates, while their away match on Sunday is just a 22-mile round trip to Crystal Palace.
Somehow, though, there is a team that will travel even less than the Gunners over the next two weeks.
That team is Fulham, who only have to make a two-mile round trip to neighbors Chelsea while playing two home games. For some reason they will inevitably still use a coach to arrive.
The Cottagers' visit to Stamford Bridge is Chelsea's only game in west London in a busy schedule for Enzo Maresca's side, who are chasing Liverpool at the top.
The Blues travel to Merseyside this weekend to take on Everton, a fixture they have not favored in recent years, and they end the year with a visit to promoted Ipswich Town.
For struggling Manchester City, the Christmas period has been a little kinder as they complete just the ninth mile in the division at 285.
Both travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa and Leicester City away from home, while they were treated to a home lunch kick-off against Everton on Boxing Day.
The Toffees' 63 mile round trip to the Etihad is the only distance they will travel during the holidays, while relegation rivals Wolves will cover more than 300 miles.
Being on the south coast will certainly benefit Southampton more than Bournemouth this Christmas.
The Saints still have 260 miles to complete over the festive period, but that is still less than half of the Cherries who will achieve the third highest total in the top flight.
But in the midst of it all, whether you're a player or a fan, there's still time for crackers and Christmas pudding.
Comments