⚽️ Premier League Schedules Christmas Eve Match for First Time in 28 Years

Good morning. December 26 (a.k.a. Boxing Day) has long been a staple of the festive season match schedule in the Premier League. Christmas Eve, though…that’s a different proposition altogether. As you’ll see below, Chelsea supporters facing a trip to Wolverhampton for that match are very upset.

The Schedule:

• Crystal Palace (H) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Friday, 3:00 p.m., USA Network): Spurs go from the Monday prime time match to the Friday prime time match in the span of four days needing a win to clinch another week at the top of the table.

• Chelsea (H) vs. Brentford (Saturday, 7:30 a.m., USA Network): The Blues are a .500 club right now (three won, three drawn, three lost). They’ll be favored to get their heads above level water against a fairly drab Brentford side.

• Arsenal (H) vs. Sheffield United (Saturday, 10:00 a.m., USA Network): On any given Saturday, any Premier League team might beat any other. Except in this match on this specific Saturday. The Blades are in for a long afternoon.

• Bournemouth (H) vs. Burnley (Saturday, 10:00 a.m., Peacock): 19th in the table hosts 18th…something’s gotta give.

• Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) vs. Newcastle United (Saturday, 12:30 p.m., NBC): The Magpies came away from their midweek Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund with some concerning injuries and no points. A short turnaround against Wolves can’t be too welcome.

• West Ham United (H) vs. Everton (Sunday, 9:00 a.m., USA Network): The Toffees are playing under the threat of a massive points deduction. Sitting 16th in the table as it is, Everton already has plenty to worry about.

• Aston Villa (H) vs. Luton Town (Sunday, 10:00 a.m., Peacock): Villa have lost once in nine matches (winning six, drawing two) and are currently in the European places. Luton (17th in the table) is catching Villa at a bad time.

• Brighton & Hove Albion (H) vs. Fulham (Sunday, 10:00 a.m., Peacock): A promising season for the Seagulls has sputtered early. Brighton has conceded the most goals (18) of any team not in the relegation places.

• Liverpool (H) vs. Nottingham Forest (Sunday, 10:00 a.m., Peacock): Mohamed Salah is positively flying for Liverpool, with seven goals and four assists in nine matches played.

• Manchester United (H) vs. Manchester City (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Peacock): City are favored in the latest installment of this derby, but with last year’s free-scoring ways missing this season, the gulf between these teams isn’t what it has been.

In the email today:

The Premier League has broken with 28 years of, if not tradition, then practice by scheduling a Christmas Eve match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea. Blues supporters, facing a tough journey to and from the Midlands the day before Christmas, are not feeling it.

• The Premier League announced fixture amendments for the festive period, including moving the clash between Chelsea and Wolves to Christmas Eve at 1 p.m., to be shown live on Sky Sports.

• The Chelsea Supporters Trust expressed their strong disapproval of the fixture change, labeling it "totally unacceptable." They raised concerns about the inconvenience to match-going supporters and requested an urgent meeting with the Premier League decision-makers.

• The Chelsea Supporters Trust also plans to work alongside the Wolves 1877 Trust and the Football Supporters' Association to address the issue and push for the Premier League to consult supporters and reverse the decision.

• The Football Supporters' Association criticized the switch for prioritizing money over the fans and described it as "shocking."

• The last Premier League match played on Christmas Eve was Leeds' victory over Manchester United in 1995.

Our take: We’re always amused when the likes of the Chelsea Supporters Trust thinks that it can make something like convincing Sky Sports to change its mind happen. We’re fairly certain that this decision wasn’t made carelessly or by accident. The league and the broadcaster considered the options and made a call. If Chelsea fans are that upset, they can watch the match on TV.

2) 💷 At Least Where Revenue Is Concerned, Manchester United Is #1

It’s been more than a decade since Manchester United won the Premier League title, and as of this writing the Red Devils are in eighth place in the table and miles from lifting the trophy. While there has been trouble on the field, United’s brand and its draw are still plenty lucrative.

• Manchester United reported record revenues of £648.4 million ($783.5 million) for the last financial year, a Premier League record.

• Despite an 11% increase in overall revenue compared to the previous year, the club still reported a loss of £42.1 million ($50.9 million).

• This financial report coincides with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's potential purchase of a 25% share in the club from the Glazer family, the current American owners.

• United's reduced wage bill of £331.4 million ($400 million) was attributed to "squad turnover" and the absence of Champions League participation, with several high-earning players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving the club.

• The report mentioned that no dividends had been paid to the Glazer family and other shareholders.

Our take: It’s good news and bad news, then, for United. They’re making money hand over fist and they’re still in the hole. United’s business model is heavily dependent on Champions League revenue, and as they’ve returned to that competition this season, perhaps they’ll break even (or better) next year.

3) ❌ Tweet of the Day: Like It or Not, Peacock Isn’t Going Anywhere

4) 🗳️ Which of the Weekend’s Slate Are You Most Up For?

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

5) 🚑️ Injuries of Note

All percentages on likelihood of playing from the EPL’s fantasy site.

• Sven Botman, Newcastle: Knee injury, out until November 11.

• Ben Chilwell, Chelsea: Hamstring injury, return date unknown.

• Luke Shaw, Manchester United: Muscle injury, return date unknown.

• Solly March, Brighton & Hove Albion: Knee injury, return date unknown.

• Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace: Hamstring injury, out until November 11.

• Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal: Hamstring injury, 50% chance to play.

• Alexander Isak, Newcastle United: Groin injury, 25% chance to play.

6) 🎰 Betting Lines and Picks

• Arsenal over Sheffield United AND over 3.5 goals (+100): The Blades have given up 24 goals in nine matches. The Gunners will want to put on a show at the Emirates.

• Manchester United win or tie against Manchester City (+115): In their past seven league matches, each team has won three, drawn one and lost three. That’s basically a .500 clip, and United are plus odds.

• Bournemouth over Burnley (+115): This pick is more against Burnley than it is for Bournemouth. We’re trusting the Cherries to seize a chance to (most likely) jump out of the relegation places.

• Aston Villa over Luton Town AND Ollie Watkins to score (-110): In Ollie we trust.

The newsletter today was written by Phil Keidel. Follow Phil @philkeidel on X.

Thanks for reading!