What could happen over Christmas…

There is one round of games on Boxing Day, followed by another on the 28/29th/30th December – then not another until January 10th. Which means two games in three days, then none for nearly two weeks.

It seems an odd way to organise the fixtures, but a couple of wins and and six points over those two games could really propel a side up the table; particularly considering how tight it is from 6th to 18th.

Here is a look at a few of the potential outcomes going into the New Year:

• If Aston Villa win both their games, and Liverpool and Chelsea drop points, Martin O’Neill’s side could go top. Would we then consider them genuine title contenders?
• If Manchester United lose their games, they could find themselves 13 points adrift of top spot going into 2009.
• West Brom, now sitting bottom, could jump 6 places over those two days, and find themselves in 14th place and looking a whole lot healthier.
• Any one of Middlesbrough, Stoke, Spurs, West Ham, Man City, Blackburn or West Brom could find themselves propping up the table on January 1st
• Middlesbrough and Stoke could find themselves anywhere between 6th and 20th depending on results.
• Man City could be bottom of the table with a positive goal difference – a rare occurrence indeed. Conversely, they could end up 13th with a negative one!
• Hull could find themselves only a couple of points clear of the relegation zone, despite currently sitting in sixth place.
• Redknapp’s revolution could take Tottenham to the top eight after the double header; or they could be back at the bottom of the table.
• Kinnear’s revolution could be even more dramatic – Newcastle could push themselves to 6th place. Or, they could be back in the relegation zone.
• Arsenal are the team with the least potential movement – only able to rise to third or fall to seventh by winning/losing both games.
• Hull could find themselves in a Champions League spot with a negative goal difference!

So, in the space of three days, many teams’ seasons could take on a wholly different complexion; for better or for worse. It will be fascinating to see who profits – and for every winner there is a loser. We’ll be sure to review the festive period when all’s said and done.