The Premier League has confirmed Chelsea’s broadcast selections for the first half of December, completing the club’s schedule for one of the busiest periods of the season.

Last month, the Premier League confirmed the festive fixtures, which cover the period between December 26 and January 6. The Blues will travel to Coventry on December 27 for a reunion with former midfielder and manager Frank Lampard.

Three days later, Chelsea will head to Ipswich Town, on the same date that the west London side lost 2-0 in December 2024. To mark the New Year, the Blues will host Newcastle United on January 2. A couple of days later, Xabi Alonso’s side will head to south London to take on Crystal Palace as the corresponding fixtures begin.

The final month of the year begins with Xabi Alonso’s side taking on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. The boss will then face his former club in the league for the first time as Liverpool head to west London for the 12.30pm kick-off (UK time) on December 5.

Following back-to-back home games to start the month, the Blues will head north to take on Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City. The fixture carries added intrigue given Maresca’s departure from Chelsea on New Year’s Day.

Before appointing the Italian, Manchester City confirmed that discussions had taken place towards the end of 2025 about replacing Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea also released a statement on June 29, saying: “It became clear to us that it was his [Maresca’s] strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.”

The tension continued over the summer as Enzo Fernandez completed a British-record £125 million move to join up with his former coach. The fixture is scheduled for December 12, with kick-off set for 5.30pm.

Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Martinez will be among those to watch when Aston Villa travel to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea’s final fixture before Christmas on December 21, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.

However, the date could change if either side draws Brighton in the next round of the League Cup. In that event, the match would be brought forward to December 19, with kick-off remaining at 8pm.

The former Villa keeper is facing a race against time to make the clash against his former side, if reports from Argentina are to be believed. The 31-year-old is expected to be out for anywhere between 45 and 60 days, putting his availability for December 21 in doubt.

With no European fixtures to contend with, Chelsea should have sufficient recovery time between matches during the festive period. Martinez’s potential absence could also give Mike Penders an opportunity to establish himself in goal.

- Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: December 2 - 7.30pm on Sky Sports.

- Chelsea vs Liverpool: December 5 - 12.30pm on TNT Sports

- Manchester City vs Chelsea: December 12 - 5.30pm on Sky Sports

- Chelsea vs Aston Villa: December 21 - 8pm on Sky Sports*

- Coventry City vs Chelsea: December 27 - 2pm on Sky Sports

- Ipswich Town vs Chelsea: December 30 - 8.15pm on Sky Sports

*Date subject to change due to possible League Cup scheduling.