It’s that time of year again. A time of bounty and excess and gluttony. For Premier League fans, at least.
Because it’s the holiday season, which means the world’s most popular soccer league crams as many games into the calendar as it possibly can without regard for the players’ health or the fairness of its competition. But we’ll get to the latter point.
Starting Friday, undefeated league leaders Liverpool will play four games in 14 days and five in 18 – including a tough game against Arsenal and a showdown with second-place Manchester City as that fourth game. City, for its part, is staring down the barrel of six games in 18 days – although the latter two are against minnows Rotherham United and Burton Albion in the FA Cup and League Cup, respectively.
What about Tottenham Hotspur, lagging in third place – six points off Liverpool and five behind City — but still within striking distance? Six games in just 17 days, including one against Chelsea. The fourth-placed Blues, meanwhile, have six games in 18 days as well.
Finally, Arsenal, the last team with any realistic ambition of getting in the title race: five games in 15 days, including the aforementioned clash with Liverpool.
This habitual Christmastime congestion often makes for a pivotal point in the title race.
Last season, City weathered this period well with three wins and a tie on its way to the title. Manchester United, meanwhile, took just one win from four, effectively ending its challenge by................ continue reading at https://oursportreport..com/2018/12/the-premier-league-is-about-to-embark.html