Here are six things to look out for in the Premier League and beyond with a full set of festive fixtures coming your way!
RARE SPELL ON THE SIDELINES FOR BRUNO
Just when we were applauding Bruno Fernandes as the English Premier League’s “marathon man” in our column this season – the outfield player with the most minutes in the world in the last three years – the curse struck. Fernandes limped off in Man United’s defeat to Aston Villa.
He missed the Boxing Day game against Newcastle, only the fourth time he’s been sidelined through injury or illness since joining United in January 2020. In March 2022, he had flu, and in May 2024 he had a knee injury which kept him out for two matches. United’s win rate in 209 EPL games with him starting is 51.7 percent. Without him, admittedly with a small sample, it’s 29.4 percent. Get well soon, skipper.
THE FOSTER CONNECTION COULD BE AN OMEN!
Bafana Bafana opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a win and in doing so Lyle Foster became the first South African who plays in the English Premier League to score at Afcon since 1996. That’s when Phil “Chippa” Masinga netted against Cameroon in the tournament that Bafana Bafana won.
Perhaps there’s an omen there for Bafana? Masinga and Lucas Radebe (both Leeds) were the only South Africans in the EPL at the time they won Afcon. At the last Afcon in 2021, there were four players representing EPL clubs who were in the team of champions Senegal – Nampalys Mendy (Man City), Edouard Mendy Chelsea), Imsaila Sarr (Watford) and Sadio Mane (Liverpool).
ARSENAL HAVE SENSE OF CHRISTMAS DEJA VU?
In 17 of the previous 33 English Premier League seasons – basically half – the team top at Christmas has gone on to win the title. And the lowest they’ve finished is sixth, with Aston Villa imploding in 1988/99. Arsenal are leading at this stage for the fifth time in EPL history and the eight in all top-flight seasons. They have never won the title in seven previous seasons when they have been on top at Christmas.
Last year, Liverpool converted their advantage into silver. In the previous two seasons, Arsenal were top at Christmas. But, they were caught and finished second. The winners on both occasions, Man City, currently two points off the pace.
WOLVES DOOMED BUT ARE THEY THE ’WORST EVER’?
At the other end of the English Premier League table, things are a lot more clearcut. In only four of the previous 33 seasons has the side bottom at Christmas avoided relegation. West Brom (2004), Sunderland (2013), Leicester (2014) and Wolves (2022) managed to survive the drop.
It’s not going to happen this season, with Wolves statistically the worst-performing side in EPL history, having two draws from 17 games. Those draws have come against Tottenham and Brighton. The immediate news doesn’t get any better. Their next game is at Anfield against rejuvenated champions Liverpool. The fewest points in an EPL season is Derby’s 11 in 2007/08.
NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT AT OXFORD
Compassion is not something you’ll find in many boardrooms when staff and poor performances are being discussed. Gary Rowett found that out two days before Christmas when he was sacked as manager of English Championship club Oxford United after 362 days in charge.
He left with Oxford 22nd out of 24 teams, ahead of only Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, who have -9 points after 21 games. As a player, Rowett was a defender at EPL clubs Everton, Derby, Birmingham, Leicester and Charlton. He’s now also had six managerial jobs, but missed out on making a full year at Oxford. So, he’ll go down as the last English League manager sacked in 2025, unless another Board chairman says, “hold my beer” in the next few days.
CLUBS WITHOUT THE LETTER ‘E’? EASY
Tis the season to be silly and many football followers’ social media timelines will have been populated with content that gets regurgitated each year. One such is the question, “gun to head, name an English football club without the letter ‘E’ in it.” No gun needed, because it should be easy if you’re a real fan.
Most will probably quickly think of the “big” clubs, the two Manchesters, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton, etc. It’s far easier than that. One can stick with “A” and look no further than Aston Villa. They are one of two English Premier League clubs without the “e”. The other isn’t Brighton – their full name is Brighton & Hove Albion. It’s Fulham. The consolation for Brighton is that they have the longest name in the EPL. But, is it 19 or 21 letters …?
