The end of the World Cup 2022 was as thrilling as it was exhausting to follow extensively, but the football simply doesn’t stop there.
Domestic action is straight back on the agenda and England’s top clubs return to League Cup action even before Christmas arrives – while the Premier League makes its comeback to our screens on Boxing Day.
Even though one round of fixtures has been taken out of the usually hectic schedule between Christmas and the new year, there’s still plenty of action to take in across that two-week period - especially with other leagues also up and running beyond England’s top flight.
Here are 10 of the finest and most interesting games to watch out for, both in the Premier League and beyond – and where to watch them.
Mon 26 December
Leicester vs Newcastle – Amazon
There are seven Premier League games on Boxing Day, but the most intriguing of them sees two of the three most in-form teams prior to the break match-up. The Foxes started the campaign horribly but were much improved before the World Cup. Newcastle could actually restart their season by moving into second place if they take the points.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool – Amazon
Later that same day, we’ll get the chance to see whether Liverpool’s poor first half of the campaign was a blip, or whether they’ll continue to struggle. They are off the pace for the top four and have ground to make up – but over the mid-season break, new Villa boss Unai Emery has had his first sustained run working with his first-team squad. Will he have keeper and World Cup winner Emi Martinez available though, is the big question?
Weds 28 December
Leeds vs Man City – Amazon
Watching Jesse Marsch’s side still has the capacity for carnage, simply put. There were 22 goals in their last four matches before the World Cup started and, at times, Leeds seem capable of impressing and imploding in the same game. Man City, meanwhile, will be hoping for more relentlessness. Will Erling Haaland be even better after a mid-season break?!
Sat 31 December
Wolves vs Man United – BT Sport
Julen Lopetegui was appointed at the start of November but this will be just his third match in charge of Wolves – and most notably, his first home league fixture. Can he solve their attacking woes? Can he make them shoot? Can he get them off the bottom of the table? Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag will be looking for less circus, more certainty around his team now Cristiano Ronaldo is gone. United’s restart is very kind: a lower-league side in the cup and two of the bottom three in the league.
Sun 1 January, 2023
Tottenham vs Aston Villa – Sky Sports
Two coveted managers from the continent face off on New Year’s Day, though Antonio Conte has rather more domestic success to his name than Emery. Both these clubs have ambitions to punch at a higher weight than they are currently doing, but which of them will hit the ground running in 2023, and which of them need big work in the January window?
Mon 2 January
Rangers vs Celtic – Sky Sports
Looking north of the border, nothing says happy new year like bitterness, resentment and four red cards. Rangers have a lot of work to do to halt Celtic’s march toward the Premiership title and new boss Michael Beale will get a fast first experience of the Old Firm derby. Should be a fun one for the neutrals, at least.
Norwich vs Watford – Sky Sports
Back to England but down in the second tier, two former Premier League clubs clash as they look for a quick return to the top flight. The Canaries and the Hornets are both in and around the play-off places but would unquestionably prefer an automatic berth. They need more consistency than they showed in the first half of the season to achieve it.
Tues 3 January
Arsenal vs Newcastle – Sky Sports
The Premier League leaders heading into the World Cup break, Arsenal’s biggest task upon their return will be a new year clash with high-flying Newcastle. This fixture comes just after they head to Brighton: the challenges arrive thick and fast for Mikel Arteta’s men. If they can sustain results after the restart, their fans will quickly get very excited indeed.
Wed 4 January
Inter Milan vs Napoli – BT Sport
If the World Cup whet your appetite for overseas adventures, Serie A offers up a delicious-looking battle at the top of the table soon into the new year. Inter face Napoli, who increasingly look like taking that crown later in 2023. Two big questions: can Luciano Spalletti’s team keep up their scintillating performance levels from earlier in the season? And, can Romelu Lukaku ever finish a chance from three yards out again after his dismal showing with Belgium?
Thurs 5 January
Chelsea vs Man City – Sky Sports
Our final pick is maybe the biggest of all, certainly in terms of where the sides have been over the past few seasons. City, the champions, face Chelsea, who want to recapture Premier League glory – but Graham Potter has a lot of work to do to win over supporters. Into the new year, will either team have added new players? Will the gap between them be bigger than the 11 points it was when the World Cup started?
So many matches, so many questions to answer – get ready to do it all again.
