What does this mean for the season ahead? Which teams tend to be in these positions when May rolls around? Let's break it down.
Does being top at Christmas guarantee the title?
Historically, Being the top on Christmas Day offers a mixed view.
In 16 of the Premier League's 32 seasons, the team leading the points table has won the trophy, a success rate of 50%.
But Liverpool have a less encouraging record. It was their first and seventh on December 25, but they could turn it into a title in the 2019-20 season.
Where is your group going for Christmas? 🎄#Festival events pic.twitter.com/gvP1axTs40
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 23 2024
In fact, Liverpool have topped the table at Crystal Palace and have achieved this feat 21 times in history and won the league 11 times.
Recent history shows the unpredictability of the lead-up to Christmas. Arsenal, for example, topped the Premier League table for the fourth time last season, but failed to win the title in their previous three attempts.
On the contrary, Chelsea Manchester City Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City have won the title all-time leading up to Christmas Day.
Interestingly, at Christmas, teams outside the top four occasionally rose to claim the trophy.
Manchester City have moved up from six points behind fifth-placed Arsenal, including winning the title four times in a row last season.
Who are the places in Europe?
In the current top four teams, Liverpool, Chelsea Arsenal and a surprising opponent: Nottingham Forest.
Fifth-placed Bournemouth could sneak into the Champions League conversation depending on the performance of other English teams in European competition.
Chelsea's record 15 Premier League goals conceded in 04/05 is officially safe for another season 🤩 pic.twitter.com/dQe3ExglQC
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt). December 22 2024
Aston Villa and Manchester City are sixth and seventh respectively, with possible Europa League and Conference League places depending on who wins the domestic cups.
It's worth noting that last season's Christmas top seven saw significant movement at the end of the campaign. West Ham only got out of the 6th place, and Chelsea was able to climb from the 10th place to the top 7th place.
Relegation: Who suffers?
On the other side of the table, Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton occupy the relegation zone.
Southampton's position is particularly bad because it is only 8 points away from the bottom. Wolves and Southampton have recently appointed new managers in an attempt to turn their fortunes around.
It's rare for three teams in the relegation zone at Christmas to still be there come May; But it happens.
Luton last season Burnley and Sheffield United were all in the bottom three from Christmas to deadline day.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 23 2024
This has only happened in four other Premier League seasons:
- 2001-02: Derby; Leicester Ipswich
- 2012-13: Wigan; QPR Reading
- 2020-21: Fulham West Brom Sheffield United
Being at the bottom at Christmas is less hopeful, with only four of the 32 teams escaping relegation in such circumstances. The exception was West Bromwich Albion (2004-05); Sunderland (2013-14); They include Leicester City (2014-15) and Wolves (2022-23).
Interestingly, two clubs in the Premier League era were in the top 10 at Christmas but were still relegated: Norwich City (seventh in 1994-95) and Blackpool (10th in 2010-11).
Under the circumstances, Manchester City, currently in seventh place, is unlikely to follow in that footsteps.
What lies ahead?
Heading into the second half of the league season, Liverpool have chances to turn their Christmas lead into the title, while Southampton face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, but their history remains uncertain.
The Premier League promises to be full of drama in the coming months as the relegation battle heats up with many teams in European football.