Once again there is no time off for Christmas in English football. While the Bundesliga professionals – including Bayern’s English striker Harry Kane – can take a winter break, the ball will continue to roll on the island on December 26th, the traditional “Boxing Day“.
Boxing Day is here Premier League and the leagues below are an integral part of the schedule and have a long tradition. “People usually sit around at home between the holidays anyway. What could be better than watching football?”said German national goalkeeper Bernd Leno (Fulham FC) of the “Funke Media Group”.
Leno enthuses: “Boxing Day is like Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving for the English. It’s the best day of the year.”
Where does the name Boxing Day come from?
It has nothing to do with boxing. Boxing in this case refers to wrapping gifts.
The origins of Boxing Day lie in the Victorian era. During this time, it was common practice for wealthy people to wrap Christmas presents for poorer people and their servants. The employees traditionally had December 26th off and received a Christmas package for themselves and their families from their employers on that day.
Why is football played on Boxing Day in England?
Until the 1950s, Christmas Day, i.e. on December 25th, a full day of matches was played. Today’s Premier League club Brentford FC advertised at the time with the sexist slogan: “Men go to the game while women cook in the kitchen.” After the visit to the stadium there was a feast.
For logistical reasons, from the mid-1960s onwards, Boxing Day was used. The reason: Public transport employees were given the day off on December 25th, so no buses or trains ran.
Which top games will take place on Boxing Day this year?
Only five out of ten games on matchday 19 will be played on Boxing Day. There are no real hits. The Liverpool FC wants after the 1:1 against Arsenal FCwith a win at Burnley FC to regain the top of the table, at least for the time being.
The one in serious crisis Manchester United receives in Aston Villa the surprise team of the season, which could even take first place if Liverpool slip up at Burnley.
When does the competition play?
The defending champion, who has recently been weak in the Premier League, and the newly crowned club world champion Manchester City occurs on Wednesday at Everton FC at. Arsenal FC with the in-form German international Kai Havertz welcomes you on Thursday West Ham United to the London derby.
And also Harry Kane’s former club Tottenham Hotspur still has a say. On Thursday the “Spurs” away from home Brighton & Hove Albion at.
How can I watch the games in Germany?
The German pay-TV channel “Sky” shows all Premier League games live on Boxing Day: Newcastle United – Nottingham Forest (1:30 p.m.), AFC Bournemouth against Fulham FC and Sheffield United against Luton Town (4 p.m., also as a conference), Burnley FC against Liverpool FC (6.30 p.m.) as well Manchester United against Aston Villa (21 clock).
“Sky” will show the remaining games of the 19th matchday on Wednesday and Thursday in full length. The sports show reports in the live ticker of the matches Burnley against Liverpool and Manchester against Aston Villa.
What happens after Christmas?
With English weeks. Even around the turn of the year, the football professionals on the island can hardly catch their breath. The 20th matchday will take place from December 30th to January 2nd. Man City has a supposedly easy opponent in Sheffield United on Saturday, as does Aston Villa with Burnley FC.
On New Year’s Eve afternoon, Arsenal will play their next derby against strong home FC Fulham. Tottenham hosts Bournemouth. Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool team plays at home against the weakened team on New Year’s Eve Newcastle United.