After a series of Premier League matches got postponed in recent weeks, it was announced over the last 24 hours that two more games have been cancelled to prevent an outbreak. Wolves were supposed to play Watford on Boxing Day, whilst Leeds United were gearing up for another action-packed game against Liverpool for the same day.
All four clubs have officially announced that their games will be postponed until further notice, and players will not be taking the pitch this week. This announcement came just a day after Jurgen Klopp had expressed his disappointment over the scheduling during Christmas eve and New Year eve.
Liverpool were initially scheduled to play on the 26th and immediately again on the 28th, which two league fixtures in alternate days. The Liverpool manager was clearly unhappy with the turnout. This postponement comes in as a blessing disguise for the club, who have just beaten Leicester City in the EFL Cup semifinal in an action-packed quarter-final.
Thus far, including the two games that have been called off for this week, a total of 12 games have been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. However, the Boxing Day and Christmas eve excitement don’t seem to be getting lower among fans, players and managers.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke quite highly of the Boxing Day tradition and said it is massively important to maintain the characteristics of the game. The Citizens will be locking horns against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, and a win in this fixture could momentarily take the club a little further.
“The Boxing Day tradition is massively important. It’s a characteristic of this league. The problem is the fixtures, the calendar, 365 days a year, the international teams with huge competitions and a lot of games. The players have a two-three weeks holiday in the summer, then the season (starts) again, it’s too much,”
Guardiola mentioned.
Although all of Europe’s top five leagues have agreed on continuing with five substitutions, the Premier League has decided to vote against it and are continuing a similar stance on that issue.
