What does this imply for the season forward, and the way usually do groups in these positions stay there when Might rolls round? Let’s break it down.
Does Being Prime at Christmas Assure the Title?
Traditionally, being prime on Christmas Day provides a combined outlook.
In 16 of the Premier League’s 32 seasons, the crew main the desk at this level has gone on to elevate the trophy – that’s a 50% success fee.
Liverpool, nevertheless, have a much less encouraging file. This marks the seventh time they’ve been first on 25 December, however they’ve solely managed to transform a kind of leads right into a title, within the 2019-20 season.
The place will your crew be spending Christmas? #FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/gvP1axTs40
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 23, 2024
In actual fact, Liverpool have topped the desk at Christmas greater than another English membership in historical past, reaching this feat 21 occasions and successful the league 11 of these events.
Current historical past exhibits the unpredictability of main at Christmas. Arsenal, for example, topped the desk final season for the fourth time through the Premier League period however didn’t safe the title, as that they had of their earlier three makes an attempt.
Against this, Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis, Blackburn Rovers, and Leicester Metropolis have all gone on to win the title each time they led on Christmas Day.
Apparently, groups exterior the highest 4 at Christmas have often surged to say the title.
This has occurred 4 occasions, together with final season when Manchester Metropolis climbed from fifth place, six factors behind Arsenal, to say their fourth consecutive championship.
Who’s within the European Spots?
The present prime 4 contains Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and a shock contender—Nottingham Forest.
Bournemouth, sitting in fifth, may even sneak into the Champions League dialog relying on how different English golf equipment fare in European competitions.
Chelsea’s 04/05 file of 15 objectives conceded within the Premier League is formally secure for an additional season 
pic.twitter.com/dQe3ExglQC
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) December 22, 2024
Aston Villa and Manchester Metropolis maintain sixth and seventh, respectively, which might be Europa League and Convention League locations, relying on the winners of the home cups.
It’s price noting that final season’s Christmas prime seven noticed vital motion by the top of the marketing campaign. Solely West Ham (sixth on the time) dropped out, whereas Chelsea climbed from tenth to complete within the prime seven.
Relegation: Who’s in Hassle?
On the different finish of the desk, Ipswich, Wolves, and Southampton occupy the relegation zone.
Southampton’s place appears notably dire, as they’re eight factors adrift on the backside. Wolves and Southampton have lately appointed new managers in a bid to show their fortunes round.
It’s uncommon for a similar three groups within the relegation zone at Christmas to stay there come Might, but it surely does occur.
Final season, Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United all stayed within the backside three from Christmas to the ultimate day.
pic.twitter.com/EMuwecR6Eo
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 23, 2024
This has solely occurred in 4 different Premier League seasons:
2001-02: Derby, Leicester, Ipswich
2012-13: Wigan, QPR, Studying
2020-21: Fulham, West Brom, Sheffield United
Being backside at Christmas provides little hope, with solely 4 groups out of 32 escaping relegation in such a situation. The exceptions embody West Bromwich Albion (2004-05), Sunderland (2013-14), Leicester Metropolis (2014-15), and Wolves (2022-23).
Apparently, two golf equipment within the Premier League period have been within the prime 10 at Christmas but nonetheless suffered relegation: Norwich Metropolis (seventh in 1994-95) and Blackpool (tenth in 2010-11).
For context, the crew presently sitting in seventh—Manchester Metropolis—is unlikely to comply with in these footsteps.
What Lies Forward?
Because the league enters the second half of the season, Liverpool’s probabilities of changing their Christmas lead right into a title stay unsure given their historical past, whereas Southampton face an uphill battle to keep away from relegation.
With European soccer in sight for a number of groups and a relegation battle heating up, the Premier League guarantees loads of drama within the months to return.
The post Does being prime at Christmas assure the Premier League title? first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-12-23 18:59:08
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