How to enjoy Christmas and New Year’s Eve with football? Premier League and Serie A with a packed programme

Holiday moments with family, in the warmth of the family fireplace and top it off with some quality football. Europe’s top two competitions don’t rest over the peace and quiet holidays. What games should you not miss?

The day before Christmas Day, the biggest attraction is of course the clash between third-placed Liverpool and first-placed Arsenal in the Premier League. In the afternoon game, Manchester United take on West Ham, also an interesting duel.

In La Liga, Atlético Madrid and struggling Sevilla face off in a 4th round match-up. The showpiece of Serie A is tonight’s clash between AS Roma and Napoli. With the Italians trying the British model with their overnight games, the schedule on the Apennine Peninsula will be packed.

But Italy is still “Christian” by English standards. On Sunday, December 24, Wolverhampton play Chelsea in the West Midlands. Czech Wolves and Blues fans may have the hardest time convincing the rest of the family to watch football on Christmas Day.

The tradition of Boxing Day is honoured in Britain, so it is the only day that is truly empty of football. By contrast, 26 December is the memorable Boxing Day, also known for its association with English football.

Manchester United will put the brakes on a rampant Aston Villa, Sheffield will welcome visitors Luton in a rescue war. All four professional English leagues are playing, with the remaining top 5 standing. The round continues a day later with the Everton vs Manchester City showdown.

On Thursday 28 December the Premier League continues with spicy play-offs between Brighton and Tottenham and Arsenal and West Ham, the night after the Italian league is back, specifically four games. Both David Zima and Antonín Barák will be in action.

The Serie A round will finish before the end of the year, while in England the 20th round will kick off on 30 December. Manchester United will come to Nottingham, the London derby Fulham vs Arsenal on New Year’s Eve and 2024 will be punctuated by Liverpool vs Newcastle and West Ham vs Brighton.

Source: Premier League, Serie A