Top and Bottom at Christmas: What Does it Mean?

The Title Race

As the Premier League season approaches its halfway point, the team that sits atop the table on Christmas Day has a significant advantage in the title race. According to statistics, the team that leads the league at this time has gone on to win the title in 17 out of the previous 33 seasons. However, Arsenal’s own record is less impressive, having been top at Christmas four times before but never lifting the trophy.
This season, Arsenal find themselves in a familiar position, sitting top of the table with a slender lead of just two points over Manchester City. While history suggests that a two-point lead might be enough, the Gunners’ fans will be hoping that their team can finally hold off the relentless Manchester City and deliver the title they’ve been craving since 2004.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, have a wealth of experience in winning the title, having done so six times in the past. Their squad is full of Premier League winners, players who know what it takes to end a campaign in strong fashion. In contrast, Arsenal’s squad has experience of losing leads in recent seasons, but they will be hoping that this time can be different.

The Relegation Battle

At the other end of the table, Wolves, Burnley, and West Ham find themselves in a precarious position, with the three teams bottom of the table on Christmas Day having never all survived. However, history suggests that one of these teams will stay up, as it has happened in over half of the previous 33 seasons.
The team in 18th place has survived in two out of three seasons on average, with West Ham fans having the most reason to be optimistic. The most likely outcome is that one of West Ham, Burnley, or Wolves will stay up, but it will take a Christmas miracle, not to mention a New Year’s, Valentine’s, and Easter one too, for bottom side Wolves to survive once again.

Details

* The team that leads the Premier League on Christmas Day has gone on to win the title in 17 out of the previous 33 seasons.
* Arsenal’s own record is less impressive, having been top at Christmas four times before but never lifting the trophy.
* The Gunners have a slender lead of just two points over Manchester City.
* Manchester City have a wealth of experience in winning the title, having done so six times in the past.
* The three teams bottom of the table on Christmas Day having never all survived.
* One of West Ham, Burnley, or Wolves will likely stay up, but it will take a Christmas miracle.

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