The ten best Premier League teams on Boxing Day: English top flight clubs ranked by December 26 record

It’s always one of the biggest and most exciting days on the sporting calendar as football fans swap the Christmas cracker crowns for their club scarves.

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Action from last Boxing Day[s 2-2 draw between Leicester City and Manchester United at The Kingpower Stadium  Action from last Boxing Day[s 2-2 draw between Leicester City and Manchester United at The Kingpower Stadium
Action from last Boxing Day[s 2-2 draw between Leicester City and Manchester United at The Kingpower Stadium

After the opening weekend and final day of the season, Boxing Day tends to be the first round of fixtures that football fans look out for when the season’s matches are announced.

Although it’s always an occasion to look forward to, many supporters have left stadium’s feeling happier than others over the years.

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Here are the top ten Premier League teams ranked by their Boxing Day records:

10. Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020
Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 75
  • Won: 29
  • Drawn: 19
  • Lost: 27
  • Average points per game: 1.41

The Eagles have won more than they’ve lost from their 75 fixtures on December 26 throughout the years, but only just.

Last year they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa at Villa Park.

This December 26, they make the short trip across London to face Tottenham Hotspur.

9. Southampton

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton holds off Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on December 26, 2020James Ward-Prowse of Southampton holds off Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on December 26, 2020
James Ward-Prowse of Southampton holds off Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Southampton at Craven Cottage on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 77
  • Won: 28
  • Drawn: 26
  • Lost: 23
  • Average points per game: 1.42
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The Saints have pretty steady figures for wins, losses and draws across the board on December 26.

Draws tend to be a regular occurrence for them at this time of year, as was the case in 2020 when the played out a 0-0 stalemate with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Southampton are back in London again the Boxing Day as they get set to take on West Ham.

8. Manchester City

 Bernardo Silva of Manchester City takes on Jamal Lewis of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2020 Bernardo Silva of Manchester City takes on Jamal Lewis of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2020
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City takes on Jamal Lewis of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 97
  • Won: 42
  • Drawn: 15
  • Lost: 40
  • Average points per game: 1.45

Manchester City have had a much better record in recent Boxing Day clashes than they did earlier in their history and have won more than they have lost.

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Last year the won 2-0 at home to Newcastle United to secure their 42nd win out of 97 Boxing Day fixtures.

This year they are at home against as Leicester City visit The Etihad.

7. Aston Villa

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa clash during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa clash during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020
Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace and Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa clash during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 101
  • Won: 46
  • Drawn: 21
  • Lost: 34
  • Average points per game: 1.57

Aston Villa have played 101 times on Boxing Day throughout their 147 year history and have a pretty decent record for picking up wins.

Last year they were able to see off Crystal Palace for win number 46.

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Steven Gerrard’s side face a tough ask to make it win number 47 this year as they host Chelsea at Villa Park.

6. Chelsea

Mason Mount of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020Mason Mount of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020
Mason Mount of Chelsea FC during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 88
  • Won: 39
  • Drawn: 24
  • Lost: 25
  • Average points per game: 1.6

Chelsea actually drop down a place from where they ranked last year as they lost their 2020 Boxing Day cash and the team at number 5 won theirs.

Last year was a December 26 to forget for the Blue as they were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal at The Emirates in the London Derby.

They face Aston Villa at Villa Park this year.

5. Everton

 Alex Iwobi of Everton and Enda Stevens of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane on December 26, 2020 Alex Iwobi of Everton and Enda Stevens of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane on December 26, 2020
Alex Iwobi of Everton and Enda Stevens of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 93
  • Won: 43
  • Drawn: 22
  • Lost 28:
  • Average points per game: 1.62

Everton historically do well on Boxing Day, having won just under half of the 93 games they have ever played on December 26.

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Last year, they managed to leave Bramall Lane with all three points as they won 1-0 at Sheffield United.

This year, the Toffees make the trip to Burnley.

4. Tottenham Hotspur

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on December 27, 2020Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on December 27, 2020
Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on December 27, 2020
  • Played: 81
  • Won: 37
  • Drawn: 21
  • Lost: 23
  • Average points per game: 1.63

Spurs have won considerably more than they have lost on December 26 thrhoughout their history.

Last year they had not Boxing Day fixture as they faced Wolves on December 27 and drew 1-1.

This year it’s a London Derby on Boxing Day as Tottenham host Crystal Palace.

3. Brighton & Hove Albion

Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United holds off Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United holds off Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020
Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United holds off Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020
  • Played: 74
  • Won: 35
  • Drawn: 19
  • Lost: 20
  • Average points per game: 1.68
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A surprise entry this high up the list perhaps, but most of Brighton’s Boxing Day wins will have come outside of the top flight.

The seagulls didn't have the chance to add to heir impressive record last year as they didn’t play on December 26, taking on West Ham on December 27 instead.

They will make up for that with a home fixture this year as they host Brentford.

2. Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool talks with Fourth Official Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on December 27, 2020Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool talks with Fourth Official Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on December 27, 2020
Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool talks with Fourth Official Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on December 27, 2020
  • Played: 90
  • Won: 43
  • Drawn: 25
  • Lost: 22
  • Average points per game: 1.71

Liverpool’s 43 wins from 90 Boxing Day matches sees them secure second place on this list.

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They didn’t play on Boxing Day last year, instead drawing at home to West Brom on December 27.

This year though they will kick off proceedings with the first game of the day as they host Leeds United.

1. Manchester United

Players jostle for position as a free kick is delivered during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 26, 2020 Players jostle for position as a free kick is delivered during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 26, 2020
Players jostle for position as a free kick is delivered during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 26, 2020
  • Played: 96
  • Won: 51
  • Drawn: 18
  • Lost: 27
  • Average points per game: 1.78

The Red Devils comfortably top this list, having won well over half of the Boxing Day fixtures through their history.

Last year they had to settle for a draw as Leicester City held them to a 2-2 draw at the Kingpower Stadium.

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They wont have the chance to add to their record this year as they miss out on a Boxing Day clash and instead play Newcastle United on December 27.

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