The Premier League is set to make a major change to its Boxing Day fixtures this year.
The hectic Christmas schedule is rapidly approaching, but this year’s Premier League Boxing Day fixtures could look a lot different to previous seasons.
It has been claimed that calendar pressures triggered by UEFA competition expansion and the FA Cup switching exclusively to weekends has forced the Premier League’s hands.
According to the Daily Mail, there is set to be just one top flight game on Boxing Day this year.
The Premier League is contractually obliged to deliver 33 weekends to broadcasters, including Sky Sports and TNT Sports, and needs to deliver on its promise.
As a result, Boxing Day, which lands on a Friday, is likely to be treated like any other Friday during the season in that only one match is aired.
Premier League games would then take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, allowing it to meet that criteria.
The last time Boxing Day fell on a Friday, in 2014, a full top-flight fixture list took place.
No final decision has been made.
Per the report, further talks are due, but those with knowledge of the matter believe change is unlikely.
There is also currently no decision on which match will be selected for screening, should there subsequently be only a sole offering.
An announcement for the televised matches in late December and January has yet to be made.
The EFL, however, will have a full calendar of fixtures on Boxing Day across the Championship, League One and League Two.
Matchweek 18 Premier League fixtures
There are plenty of big games that could be televised on Boxing Day, including Manchester United vs. Newcastle United.
Matchweek 18 also includes Arsenal vs. Brighton, Chelsea vs. Aston Villa and Liverpool vs. Wolves.
Matchweek 18 fixtures listed below:
Arsenal vs. Brighton
Brentford vs. Bournemouth
Burnley vs. Everton
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham
Liverpool vs. Wolves
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City
Sunderland vs. Leeds
West Ham vs. Fulham