Premier League form table after hectic Christmas fixture list

Now the hectic festive fixture list is over, the Premier League schedule will return to something approaching normality.

Games have come thick and fast over the Christmas period, matches shoe-horned into any and every available slot. Since the beginning of December, the majority of teams have played seven matches as squads are stretched thin.

You would expect those with the biggest and most talented rosters to have thrived during the intense festive schedule, but that hasn't necessarily been the case. In fact, some of the traditional giants of English football have struggled immensely in recent weeks.

Here is the Premier League form table since the beginning of December 2023.

Premier League form table (since beginning of December 2023)

Unsurprisingly, it's current table-toppers Liverpool who have enjoyed the most fruitful festive spell. The Reds won five of their seven matches since the start of December and weren't beaten during that period, only failing to get all three points in home clashes with Manchester United and Arsenal. Such impressive results mean they are three points clear at the top of the form table.

The surprise candidates in the title race have been Aston Villa and their defiant form means they must be taken seriously. Unai Emery's men are second in the actual Premier League table as well as the form table, continuing to exceed expectations.

West Ham and Bournemouth make up the rest of the top four, rather against the odds, with David Moyes and Andoni Iraola both working wonders at their respective sides. The Cherries have been in particularly remarkable form given they have played a game fewer than most sides, four wins and two draws seeing them fly up to 12th in the Premier League standings.

A resurgent Tottenham find themselves fifth having shaken off some poor form, while Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton have both defied early-season expectations in recent weeks and months.

Having played a game fewer than 16 other sides, Manchester City residing in ninth is hardly surprising, albeit they haven't been at their best over the festive period. Sat just above them are Chelsea, who, despite some positive recent results, never seem too far from crisis. The Blues have won four of their last seven matches, but have seldom looked too convincing.

Arsenal are the most surprising under-performers, Mikel Arteta's side tenth in the form table after an underwhelming run of results. The Gunners have lost three of their last seven games, including back-to-back defeats against Fulham and West Ham. They simply must eradicate such disappointing streaks if they are to win the league title this season.

The fact Man Utd are sat 14th in the form table - below the likes of Burnley and Fulham - should come as a shock, but it really doesn't anymore. The Red Devils have lost games against Newcastle, Bournemouth, West Ham and Nottingham Forest since the beginning of December, despite somehow picking up seven points from meetings with Chelsea, Liverpool and Villa.

Two wins from their last six games have pushed Luton Town out of the relegation zone, though only in the form table. The Hatters have been replaced in the bottom three by Newcastle United, the Magpies having been in woeful form. Having lost five of their last seven matches in the Premier League, Eddie Howe's injury-hit side have slipped to ninth in the top flight.

Brentford could be in a little bit of trouble at the foot of the form table, although they have played a game fewer than most sides. The Bees are only four points off the relegation zone in the actual Premier League standings, having lost their last five games in a row. That game in hand is also against Man City.

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