"So, it is a mystery. The fact is that willing, or not, this makes more convenient the fixtures for certain clubs that are not travelling on this very busy Christmas period. I let you take a look which clubs are playing home both last and next match. To make us play two away games in less than 72 hours will be never an excuse but we agree that is much better on the recovery side [to] play twice at home and not travel."
"It is the first time in my career as a coach, 20 years, we are finishing the first part of the season not playing 19 teams,"
"I don't know why. Only I am telling it because it is the only issue in my mind I am not understanding. But, of course, I accept it."
Several Premier League clubs have already faced an opponent twice before completing matches against every other team in the first half of the season. Aston Villa played Arsenal a second time while still awaiting their Nottingham Forest fixture. Villa manager Unai Emery said the pattern was unprecedented in his 20-year coaching career and that he did not understand it but accepted it. Director of football Damian Vidagany called the scheduling a mystery, suggested it favored clubs that avoid travel during the busy Christmas period, and argued home-heavy sequences aid recovery. The Premier League said the pattern helps balance home-and-away runs and accommodates club date requests.
Read at www.bbc.com
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