Four festive games that could shape the second half of the Premier League season

We're in the midst of the most wonderful time of the year, and for football fans, that means plenty of games to look forward to over the festive period. 

The fixtures come thick and fast during the holiday season and it's the time of year when teams can really lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign. 

With the current table as congested as it is, every result matters, so here are five games that could shape the way the Premier League season goes in 2026. 

 

Chelsea vs Aston Villa (27 December) 

A battle between two teams that have both looked like possible title challengers at points this season. 

When the Blues hosted leaders Arsenal in November and took a point off the Gunners, it looked as though Enzo Maresca's side could well be in the conversation for top spot.

However, they followed that up with defeat at Leeds and a blank with Bournemouth, showing that they are still a work in progress and prone to inconsistency. 

Villa, meanwhile, have gotten over their woeful start to the season and are currently the league's most in-form side. They've already beaten both Manchester City and Arsenal and will be confident they can get something from Stamford Bridge to continue their own title bid. 

If either has any aspirations of keeping up with the top two, a win is a must in this one. 

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

West Ham vs Fulham (December 27)

Father Christmas has delivered us a London derby for the festive week, which could have some repercussions at the bottom of the Premier League table. 

With Wolves just about all but relegated, and Burnley slipping away fast too, it would appear there's only one spot left in the dropzone for teams to avoid in 2026. 

Right now, it's the Hammers who occupy 18th place, who have failed to really gain some steam since the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo. 

The Portuguese has made them harder to break down, but it's still only one win in their last six and means they haven't been able to pull away from trouble. 

Fulham are now ten points better off than their London rivals, with the Cottagers managing to dig out enough wins to keep them away from trouble thus far. 

However, it's a clash that gives West Ham the ideal opportunity to gain some ground on Marco Silva's men, and possibly drag them into a relegation scrap. 

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Arsenal vs Aston Villa (December 30) 

Earlier this month, the reverse fixture saw Aston Villa inflict just a second defeat of the season on the Gunners and signal their intent as possible challengers to Arsenal's title bid. 

Mikel Arteta's men get the chance to quickly atone for that loss, when they host the Villains in one of the last Premier League fixtures of 2025. 

Either side of that win for Unai Emery, Villa have also proved they are just as formidable away from home right now, with recent comeback wins against both Brighton and West Ham and they'll have no fear as they head to North London. 

The pressure is mounting on Arsenal both from their opponents in this one and Manchester City, who are now breathing down their necks in second place. They can ill afford another slip-up here and allow both Villa and City to close in on them as we head into the second half of the season. 

Marc Atkins - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

Brentford vs Tottenham (January 1) 

The new year kicks off with a bang in West London as Brentford prepare to welcome back former boss Thomas Frank and pile more pressure on the Dane. 

Frank's move across the capital to Spurs has so far not gone to plan, and he is already feeling the heat after a run that sees Tottenham sitting in mid-table at the halfway stage of the season. 

Most of the issues Frank has faced have been at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he'll head to his old club knowing they have made the Gtech a fortress this season and have only lost one home game all season - a 1-0 reverse to Manchester City. 

An awkward defeat to his former employers here would fuel the growing doubts around the Danish manager heading into 2026, especially after what happened with Spurs' league form at the back end of the last season. 

Naomi Baker/Getty Images

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