Chelsea's festive fixtures: How Blues intriguing run compares to title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal

Chelsea find themselves an unexpected part of what is becoming a close-fought title race in the Premier League this season, despite Enzo Maresca suggesting that they aren’t.

The Blues have won five league matches in a row and haven’t lost since their defeat to Liverpool in October - they are now just two points behind the Reds. They come off the back of a 2-1 win against Brentford at Stamford Bridge and will be looking to continue their positive form in order to keep up with Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Christmas is always a congested period for Premier League clubs, but the Blues’ fixtures won’t worry Maresca too much as they won’t play a team that are in the current top six.

Chelsea begin their festive period with a game against Sean Dyche’s Everton on Sunday 22 December at Goodison Park. The Toffees sit 16th in the league and have only scored in one of their last six games.

It will be a tough game for Everton as they may need to net at least two goals if they are to overcome Maresca’s side who are currently the top scorers in the Premier League.

Following that, Chelsea then return to Stamford Bridge for a west London derby on Boxing Day against Marco Silva’s Fulham side. It could be a tough game, as the Cottagers are 10 points behind Chelsea and outside candidates for a European football place.

Their last game in December provides another opportunity to get three points as they face an away trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

How do Chelsea’s fixtures compare to Liverpool?

Chelsea will be looking at their fixtures with a relative level of optimism. Title rivals Liverpool also face three games during the Christmas period.

Slot won’t be too worried about his fixtures apart from what could be a difficult game against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs on Sunday 22 December.

Tottenham come off the back of an excellent 5-0 win against relegation candidates Southampton, where they scored all five goals in the first half. They first have a Carabao Cup quarter-final to play against Manchester United.

However, inconsistency has been the buzzword in north London, but if the best version of Postecoglou’s side turns up at home on Sunday, they could provide a real test for Liverpool. After Spurs, the Reds will play against Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day, which seems to be a game in which anything but a win would be considered a very poor result.

Finally, Liverpool then play West Ham on December 29, who had been struggling this season, but Julen Lopetegui eased some of the pressure on him after a 2-1 win against Wolves and a 1-1 draw against a tough Bournemouth side.

There is no doubt that Liverpool’s festive fixtures could prove to be tougher than Chelsea’s...

Arsenal face favourable Christmas games

The Gunners hope the chaotic festive season will provide them a chance to catch up to Liverpool and Chelsea in the title race.

They open their run of games with a repeat fixture against Crystal Palace after they play against them on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup. They will then make the trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Arsenal will then head back to the Emirates to play Ipswich in a game where Mikel Arteta will be expecting a win for his team and three more points added to the tally.

However, following the two manageable games over Christmas, they do face a tough test on New Year’s Day away to Brentford. Thomas Frank’s side have not lost at home yet this season.