Premier League Resume | Key Fixtures & Storylines

When will the Premier League resume following the World Cup? All of the EPL's Boxing Day matchups!

The fact that club football worldwide will have to stop due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a drawback. Top-tier club tournaments have been forced to take mid-season pauses because, between November and December, the competition is being played for the first time, which is later in the year than the typical June-July window due to the heat in the Middle East.

One of those stopping is the Premier League, whose final day of competition before an almost six-week break is November 13. While the World Cup should fill the vacuum, once the action in Qatar wraps up in December, all eyes will be on the Premier League's return.

When will the Premier League resume following the World Cup?

After a 43-day break between games due to the World Cup, the Premier League is scheduled to start on Monday, December 26. Players involved in the championship game will have eight days to heal before the Premier League resumes because the tournament in Qatar will end with the final on Sunday, December 18. While the brief break between the two leagues would worry players and managers, England's top flight already has too many fixtures and couldn't afford to take a more extended break.

Premier League matchups following the World Cup break

Brentford will play Tottenham early on Boxing Day in the first Premier League match day following the 2022 World Cup. This will be the 15th or 16th game of the season for clubs. The competition restarts with a flurry on Monday, December 26, with six more matches. With a late kickoff from Emirates Stadium, league leaders Arsenal will cap off the Premier League's successful comeback.

Before the final match of the return round is played on December 28, two extra games will be played on December 27. Players will be under strain from their workload due to the overbooked schedule, and any injuries will be closely watched, given that the World Cup was squeezed into the middle of an already hectic club season. The World Cup break may also positively and negatively affect a club's momentum. While struggling sides like Southampton and Wolves will be eager to utilize the break to get their campaigns back on track, teams like Arsenal and Newcastle hope the suspension doesn't disrupt their recent strong run.

The World Cup might ensure that clubs without many players competing in Qatar return to Premier League play with an energy that other star-studded will be lacking.

Clubs with the most difficult post-World Cup schedule

When the Premier League starts on Boxing Day, it's interesting to note that teams at either end of the standings may face their toughest challenges. Before crucial matches against other relegation-threatened teams, Nottingham Forest, who is now in the relegation zone, plays Manchester United and Chelsea in their first games back.

Meanwhile, title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City will quickly have a bunch of difficult matches to prove their determination. When they return to league play, Pep Guardiola's team will have to play two games in three days. On the other hand, the Reds will play less difficult matches facing Brentford before traveling to the south coast to play Brighton on January 14. However, it is essential to note that Klopp's team is anticipated to have an FA Cup third-round match between the games.

Nottingham Forest fixtures:

• December 27: Man United (A)
• January 1: Chelsea (H)
• January 4: Southampton (A)
• January 14: Leicester City (H)
• January 21: Bournemouth (A)

Arsenal fixtures:

• December 26: West Ham (H)
• December 31: Brighton (A)
• January 3: Newcastle (H)
• Jan. 14: Tottenham (A)
• January 21: Man United (H)

Man City fixtures:

• December 28: Leeds United (A)
• December 31: Everton (H)
• January 5: Chelsea (A)
• January 14: Man United (A)
• January 21: Wolves (H)

Here is the Date-Match-Time (GMT / ET) chart:

Mon, Dec 26 - Brentford vs. Tottenham - 12:30 / 07:30

Mon, Dec 26 - Southampton vs. Brighton - 15:00 / 10:00

Mon, Dec 26 - Leicester City vs Newcastle - 15:00 / 10:00

Mon, Dec 26 - Crystal Palace vs. Fulham - 15:00 / 10:00

Mon, Dec 26 - Everton vs. Wolves - 15:00 / 10:00

Mon, Dec 26 - Aston Villa vs. Liverpool - 17:30 / 12:30

Mon, Dec 26 - Arsenal vs. West Ham - 20:00 / 15:00

Tue, Dec 27 - Chelsea vs. Bournemouth - 17:30 / 12:30

Tue, Dec 27 - Man United vs. Nott'm Forest - 20:00 / 15:00

Wed, Dec 28 - Leeds vs. Man City - 20:00 / 15:00