Which teams have lost the most Boxing Day matches in Premier League history?

Remember when English top-flight games were played on Christmas Day? Most of us don’t, but it did happen once upon time. Since a 4-2 win for Blackpool over Blackburn Rovers in 1965, no fixtures have been played on 25 December, with Boxing Day instead taking centre stage over the festive period. The first matches played the day after Christmas were held in 1957 and have been a mainstay on the English calendar ever since, becoming one of the eagerly-anticipated rounds of the season, particularly since the creation of the Premier League in 1992.

For match-goers, it’s an opportunity to get together with like-minded supporters and a day out during the holidays. For armchair fans, it’s an excuse to pig out on leftover turkey, boxes of chocolate and enjoy a post-Christmas tipple in front of the television.

United lead Arsenal and Liverpool for Boxing Day victories

As far as clubs are concerned, Manchester United are presumably the club that most looks forward to playing on Boxing Day, given their record. It may be easy to forget due to their recent struggles, but The Red Devils were actually quite good back in the day.

Despite a disappointing decade, United have won 21 of their 27 fixtures on 26 December, suffering only two defeats - to Middlesbrough in 2002 and against Stoke City in 2015. Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn, Burnley and Leicester City are the four other clubs who have avoided defeat against the 13-time Premier League winners, who average 2.48 points per game.

Arsenal and Liverpool are tied second in terms of most victories, with 16 apiece from 25 Boxing Day matches.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa’s dreadful Boxing Day records

On the flip side, there are two clubs in particular that appear to suffer a Christmas Day hangover more than most. United’s 2023 Boxing Day opponents Aston Villa have won only five of 25 matches on 26 December, losing 14 of them (0.84 points per game). History certainly favours the hosts for Tuesday’s clash at Old Trafford, even if recent form does not.

But it’s Newcastle United who appear to be the kings of overindulging in Christmas pudding and mulled wine. The Magpies have played 24 Boxing Day fixtures and lost 15 of them, their five victories leaving them with an average of just 0.79 points per game.

Everton are the other club in double digits for Boxing Day defeats (10) in the Premier League, but The Toffees have won more matches (11) than they have lost on 26 December.