The festive fixture list remains one of the most treasured traditions in English football.
And even at a time when games are coming thick and fast every week amid the pandemic, the Boxing Day games promise to be a special treat for fans.
Here the PA news agency takes a look at the key talking points in the Premier League.
Foxes to test United’s credentials
“They’re always going to be a dangerous opponent.” ?
Brendan Rodgers assessed the threat of our #LeiMun opponents in Tuesday’s press conference.
More videos ? https://t.co/2im1HcvN6j pic.twitter.com/dbgxnawfG2
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 24, 2020
A few short weeks ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was favourite in the Premier League sack race. Now the Norwegian is trying to play down title talk around Old Trafford as their fine form continues. In domestic action, United have won seven and drawn one of their last eight, reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and moving up to third in the Premier League, five points behind Liverpool with a game in hand on the champions. Boxing Day sends them south to Leicester, where they will face one of the two teams still above them in the standings. The Foxes should provide a stiff test, having won four of the last five themselves, including an impressive 2-0 win at Tottenham last weekend.
Parker isolating
“I’m absolutely gutted and disappointed that I’m not able to be there at the weekend. I’m feeling well but a member of my household tested positive, and due to the guidelines I’ve had to self-isolate. My family member is fine and on the mend.”#FULSOU pic.twitter.com/QWShQOfHgE
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 24, 2020
Fulham have shown some resilience in recent weeks as their battle against the drop continues. They remain in the drop zone but have taken points off both Leicester and Liverpool to offer a blueprint of how they might survive. Southampton are the visitors on Boxing Day, but Fulham’s plans have been complicated with manager Scott Parker self-isolating after a positive Covid-19 case within his household. Parker himself has tested negative, but assistant Stuart Gray and first-team coach Matt Wells will take charge on Saturday.
Arteta battles on
Man in the middle
Allardyce up against it
