Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola brace for Premier League Boxing Day baptisms
Leaders Chelsea entertain Bournemouth with the Blues six points clear at the top of the table, while Manchester City face Hull City
Chelsea’s Antonio Conte and his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola are among the Premier League managers who will sample England’s Boxing Day football extravaganza for the first time on Monday.
While the rest of the population gorges on Christmas turkey dinners and knocks back festive drinks, 16 teams will be gearing up for matches as part of a custom that stretches back over 150 years.
With Chelsea six points clear at the summit and chasing a 12th consecutive win, which would set a new club record, Conte is approaching the visit of Bournemouth with a spring in his step.
“This is the first experience for me and my family, to work, to play football [at this time of year],” said the Italian.
“It can be, and I hope it will be, a fantastic experience. The atmosphere we find in this period is very difficult to find in another period. It’s fantastic.”