The Premier League has been severely disrupted over the hectic festive period by a wave of new Covid-19 cases, handing a host of clubs a selection dilemma and top-flight chiefs a headache with several fixtures having been postponed.
Omicron, the ultra-infectious new variant, has wreaked havoc across the football calendar in recent weeks, with infections rising at alarming rates. As a result, there are teams who find themselves with as many as three games in hand.
Boxing Day's blockbuster line-up of matches was almost decimated by the virus, after three were called off - namely Liverpool's clash with Leeds, Wolves' showdown with Watford and Everton's trip to Burnley.