There is set to be only ONE Premier League fixture on Boxing Day, Daily Mail Sport understands.
In an apparent break from tradition – which may well trigger outrage - calendar pressures triggered by UEFA competition expansion and the FA Cup switching exclusively to weekends appear to have forced the top flight's hand.
The Premier League is contractually obliged to deliver 33 weekends to broadcasters and needs to deliver on its promise.
As such, while no final decision has been made, Boxing Day is likely to be treated like any other Friday during the season in that only one match is screened.