December’s full fixture schedule has now been confirmed, 16 days later than originally planned, with the Premier League blaming “complexities” around the calendar.

The Football Supporters’ Association said on X:, external “The Premier League’s TV selections for [Christmas and New Year] have finally been announced a fortnight after they were supposed to be. Newcastle’s game at Old Trafford – the longest trip of that gameweek – has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless.”

This year Boxing Day falls on a Friday – it will be followed by seven games on Saturday, 27 December, with matchweek 18 concluding with two games the following day.

Last season, the first since the expansion of Uefa’s club competitions, there were eight Premier League games on 26 December.

The league added: “The league can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day – as the date falls on a Saturday.

“As with previous years, and in keeping with our commitment to clubs, special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period.

“This will allow greater time for players to recover with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match.”

In July, player representatives and world football’s governing body Fifa agreed there should be a minimum rest period of 72 hours between matches.