On Boxing Day in 1963, 66 goals were scored across 10 matches. Every year, football fans yearn for a repeat of this. Every year, we’re somewhat disappointed. However, the Premier League does usually deliver on Boxing Day. With the schedule being a little busier, players are a little tireder, legs are wary and goals are aplenty.
By Sam McGuire
Last year, for example, we witnessed 39 goals across 10 matches. Clubs didn’t hit the heights of 1963 but an average of almost four goals per game isn’t anything to take for granted.
So, with this in mind, here’s a look at some of the things you can keep an eye on across the Boxing Day period, there are a few games on the 27th after all, in the Premier League this season.
Erling Haaland’s slump
Haaland started the season like a man destined to win his third successive Golden Boot in the Premier League. He netted back-to-back hat-tricks and, at one point, had 10 goals in five matches as the reigning champions took 13 points from a possible 15 to kick off the campaign.
Since then, the goals have dried up. Haaland has found the back of the net on just three occasions across his last 12 outings in the English top-flight.
This run has coincided with Man City’s run of six defeats in eight.
Against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, Haaland had just one shot and it wasn’t on target. He finished the game with an Expected Goals total of 0.11. It was the same story last weekend against Manchester United when Haaland had one shot with an Expected Goals total of 0.14.
If City are to get out of the slump they currently find themselves in, they need to get Haaland firing.
Pep Guardiola’s side host Everton on Boxing Day. The Toffees have kept five clean sheets in their last six Premier League matches. Sean Dyche’s men have managed to repel title hopefuls Arsenal and Chelsea in consecutive weeks. It won’t be easy for City but Haaland has scored in all three of his appearances against the Merseyside club. If he finds the back of the net here, against a defensively resolute side, it could open the floodgates.
Battle of the new Portuguese managers
The new manager-bounce didn’t last long for Rúben Amorim and Manchester United. The Red Devils battered Everton 4-0 but then suffered an expected loss to Arsenal before a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
They then responded to this by coming from behind at the Etihad to claim a 2-1 win in the Manchester derby. This was supposed to be a building block for United. However, it wasn’t. Bournemouth humbled the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
They’re now in 13th position in the Premier League, 10 points off the relegation zone, nine points off of a top four place and 17 points off the top having played a game more.
United face a resurgent Wolves side on Boxing Day at Molineux. The hosts appointed Vítor Pereira last week and the Portuguese tactician experienced a dream start to life as a Premier League manager, winning 3-0 against relegation rivals Leicester City. A win at Molineux would momentarily lift them out of the drop zone.
They have the momentum. They have the confidence. They have a match-winner in Matheus Cunha.
The Mohamed Salah farewell tour
As things stand, Salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
Right now, he’s the best player in the world. The 32-year-old has 15 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League. He’s the first player in history to have 10+ goals and 10+ assists before Christmas. He’s now level with David Beckham on 80 assists in the English top-flight and he’s Liverpool’s fourth highest scorer in the club’s history.
If this is his goodbye, he’s leaving fans with a lot of memories. Not just Liverpool fans either. Rival fans are getting the full Salah experience. He finished the game against Spurs with four goal involvements. He has 11 goal involvements in his last five appearances.
He is unplayable.
On Boxing Day, the Reds host a struggling Leicester City side.
Liverpool faced the Foxes in December 2021, the campaign they lost the title by a single point, and they fell to defeat, just their second of the season, with Salah missing a penalty. The No. 11 doesn’t need redemption, but how fitting would it be for him to play a big part in a win over Leicester, three years after defeat, to ensure they stay in complete control of a title race? It’d be a nice addition to his farewell tour.
A Saka-less Arsenal?
Bukayo Saka has been the main man for Arsenal this season. Only Kai Havertz (six) has more goals than the No. 7 (five) and he leads the way for assists (10), chances created (42) and big chances created (19). For a bit of context here, Martin Ødegaard ranks second for chances created on 24 and Declan Rice is second for big chances created with seven.
They’re not a one-man team, that would be disrespectful, but the Gunners are heavily reliant on the England international.
He hobbled off against Crystal Palace on Saturday and left the stadium on crutches. The 23-year-old is expected to miss a couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury and it has arrived during the busiest period of the season. It is going to be fascinating to see how Mikel Arteta manages without his star player. If their title challenge endures, they could be the real deal. Hosting strugglers Ipswich Town gives the Gunners a good opportunity to kick things off in a positive way.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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