The Premier League is set to take a break in January to give players a rest after the gruelling festive period. Most clubs will have played 8 games after the November international break, with some playing more depending on their Carabao Cup and European status.
What is the Premier League break?
The Premier League winter break was introduced in the 2019/20 season after complaints by managers such as Jurgen Klopp regarding the congested winter schedule. Many foreign managers are often not used to English fixture schedule considering other European leagues get a lengthy winter break.
Germany usually get a 20+ day break in winter. Other countries such as Spain, Italy and France will get around 2 weeks. Introducing the Premier League winter break helps compete with other European leagues in terms of player’s welfare.
Of course, those playing in AFCON and the Asian Cup won’t be affected by this.
How does it work? Will it impact the FA Cup?
After all the 3rd round FA Cup action, the Premier League break will come into play.
How the break will work is that it will spread out over a two-week period in which one team will have a weekend off. Gameweek 21 will be split in half that will see 5 matches played from January 13-15 and then the other 5 matches will be played from January 20-22.
However, some will feel that the weekend break serves no purpose to their club as the week that full gameweek action returns, clubs will have to play 3 games in a week.
The FA Cup 4th round will be played from January 27th and end on the 28th. Following on from that there will Premier League midweek action beginning on the 30th, then there will be a normal Premier League weekend starting from the 2nd of February and concluding on the 3rd.
Does the break apply to lower English divisions?
Unfortunately not, the Championship, League one, League two and the National league play 46 games compared to the 38 in a Premier League season. Giving those leagues a break will only push back the end date and cause fixture congestion.
The Premier League winter break fixtures
Here’s a full look at how the Premier League fixtures will play out during the break:
Saturday 13 January
- Chelsea vs Fulham – 12:30 – TNT Sports
- Newcastle Man City – 17:30 – TNT Sports
Sunday 14 January
- Everton vs Aston Villa – 14:00 – Sky Sports
- Manchester United vs Tottenham – 16:30 – Sky Sports
Monday 15 January
- Burnley vs Luton – 19:45 – TNT Sports
Saturday 20 January
- Arsenal vs Crystal Palace – 12:30 – TNT Sports
- Brentford vs Nottingham Forest – 17:30 – Sky Sports
Sunday 21 January
- Sheffield United vs West Ham – 14:00 – TNT Sports
- Bournemouth vs Liverpool – 16:30 – Sky Sports
Monday 22 January
- Brighton vs Wolves – 19:45 – TNT Sports
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