Premier League clubs have chosen to complete the festive fixtures despite the continued disruption caused by Covid-19 cases.
The league’s 20 clubs met on Monday to discuss how they can deal with the challenges facing after six matches were postponed because of the Covid-19 count over the weekend.
Postponing a round over Christmas is a possibility.
No voting took place and therefore two rounds of competition will take place over five days from December 26.
It is expected that the game in week 20, which starts on December 28, will be postponed to ease the pressure on Premier League teams.
Instead, clubs have been advised that if they have 13 suitable players, plus a goalkeeper, they should complete their games.
However, there are talks between clubs and authorities to eliminate FA Cup replays in rounds 3 and 4, and reduce the EFL Cup semi-final relationship to single-leg matches.
Last week, Premier League players returned 42 positive Covid-19 tests over a seven-day period, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. Updates for the most recent seven-day period are expected late Monday.
In Sunday’s Premier League games, Chelsea named only six substitutes in their draw against Wolves and Liverpool drew Tottenham without some first team names.
Five of Saturday’s six fixtures have been postponed. Chelsea managed to get Sunday’s game against Wolves postponed and boss Thomas Tuchel said his players were at “huge risk … not only because of Covid but also because of the physical”.
It is understood that Liverpool are among the group of clubs that have pushed for the postponement of the game on 20 weeks.
After Sunday’s draw against Spurs, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said playing on December 26 and 28 was not feasible.
“It’s impossible, we don’t have the players,” said Klopp. “We have to think we’re going to have one or two more cases. We can’t just push it through. Days 26 and 28, that’s impossible. We’d rather play but we need help with gear. measure.”
The seven Premier League teams still in the Carabao Cup will face off on December 21 and 22 and will play three Premier League matches between then and January 2.
