“Boxing Day”, the discussed Premier League classic that will have Dibu Martínez’s Aston Villa and Mac Allister’s Liverpool hunting for the top

The ball does not stop rolling in England during the holidays and is especially present every December 26 with the emblematic Boxing Day, that this year will serve to begin the 19th date of the Premier League.

It is a British tradition, whose origin dates back to the 19th century, in which families with greater purchasing power gave their employees the day off after working on Christmas Day and gave them a Christmas box (or Christmas Box) to celebrate with your loved ones.

This December 26, 2023, the best gift will be for fans who will be able to enjoy five English league games. Among them, Manchester United-Aston Villa (2:30 p.m., on Star+) and Burnley-Liverpool (17, ESPN), con Emiliano Dibu Martinez y Alexis Mac Allister -who is recovering from an injury and would only return in January- looking for their respective teams to reach the top of the standings.

However, footballers seem not to agree with playing on this date due to the high demands it implies. “We are going to play our third game in nine days. That demands a lot from you both mentally and physically,” reflected the experienced Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk, starter with Liverpool in all those games.

Los Reds will visit Burnley, in need of points to escape the red zone, and there is a lot at stake these days because of how exciting the fight is at the top of the standings. They are just one point behind the leader, Arsenalwith whom they tied 1-1 last Saturday.

Equaled on 39 points with those led by Jurgen Klopp it is Aston Villawho will visit Old Trafford against a Manchester United beaten after losing three of their last four games and without scoring goals in any of them.

All English teams face the overload of matches as best they can, between player rotations and also managing the psychological aspect.

After losing 2-0 on Saturday at West Ham United, the Manchester United coach, Erik Ten Hag, divided his post-match press conference into two: first five minutes to comment on the defeat and then another ten to talk about Tuesday’s game against Aston Villa. A scene as curious as it is surreal, just a few minutes after the final whistle. A frenetic march.

Los Gunners of Mikel Arteta Meanwhile, they will not play until Thursday, when they host West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium, which is sixth in the standings.

All English teams face the overload of matches as best they can, between player rotations and managing the psychological aspect. The devilish pace of matches means that the competition barely leaves time to rest.

Between Premier League, Europa League and League Cup, Liverpool will play eight games in Decemberbefore starting 2024 on January 1 against Newcastle for the 20th matchday of the Premier League.

From December 5 until West Ham and Brighton meet on January 2, 58 games will have been played in 29 days.

After that, the English league will stop for two weeks, but that truce will be occupied by the third round of the English Cup and the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals, so there will be no real break.

Likewise, the peculiarity of the British December and January calendar, despite criticism, also has fervent defenders.

“It’s the most special time of the year for me. You test yourself physically and mentally. You never see so many happy faces in a stadium as you do right now. “People are usually in a good mood,” said the Belgian. Vincent Kompanyhistoric defender of Manchester City and current coach of Burnley

• 09:30 Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

• 12:00 Bournemouth vs Fulham

• 12:00 Sheffield United vs Luton Town

• 14:30 Burnley vs Liverpool

• 17:00 Manchester United vs Aston Villa