AFTER a gruelling Christmas period, top-flight teams enjoyed a well-earned winter break.
For the first time, the Premier League is following the trend across Europe and allowing players some rest and recuperation this February.
Klopp will not be on the bench when Shrewsbury come to AnfieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have long been critics of the packed English schedule, which with European games added on can see their teams playing upwards of 60 games a year.
The break affects just the Premier League – games across the Football League will take place as normal.
Boss Jose Mourinho is happy to sacrifice Tottenham’s winter break if they can progress in the FA CupCredit: PA:Press Association
Premier League winter break: Who is playing this weekend?
AS opposed to a full on break in mid-winter, the Premier League agreed in 2018 on a split break.
This involves eight teams playing on one weekend in February, whilst twelve teams are on a rest week.
The following week is vice versa, with the resting teams returning to action and the other taking time to rest up.
Premier League bosses had previously resisted calls for a break, but pressure from players and clubs about workload has led to the decision to roll out a new-look February.
There were four games scheduled in the first weekend – with Man City vs West Ham getting postponed due to Storm Ciara – with six on this week.
Every club still gets a week off, although Liverpool chose to play their kids in the FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury after it fell in their scheduled break.
The games held this weekend – February 14-17 – are as follows:
- Wolves vs Leicester (Friday, February 14 at 8pm)
- Southampton vs Burnley (Saturday, February 15 at 12.30pm)
- Norwich vs Liverpool (Saturday, February 15 at 5.30pm)
- Aston Villa vs Tottenham (Sunday, February 16 at 2pm)
- Arsenal vs Newcastle (Sunday, February 16 at 4.30pm)
- Chelsea vs Man Utd (Monday, February 17 at 8pm)
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
