Can Sydney FC change championship pattern? – A look at the A-League's Christmas leaders
December 25, 2019 07:00 MYT
It is yet another Merry Christmas for Sydney FC in the A-League.
The Sky Blues are top of the table on Christmas Day for the third time in four seasons, continuing their dominance.
Being top on December 25 means a record-breaking trophy is likely for Sydney FC.
Alongside Melbourne Victory, they have won seven trophies in the A-League era – four championships and three premierships.
We asked their boys for their Christmas shopping lists for a few of the players, here's what @rmcgowan89 is getting for @redders_20, @AlexBaumjohann and @A1F1E9 What would you buy them?#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/L1PTcSMJbQ
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 23, 2019
Another premiership is likely but a championship less so as we assess where previous league leaders on Christmas Day have ended up, thanks to Opta data.
- Only once have a team leading the league at Christmas finished outside the top two (Perth in 2014-15).
- Of the previous 14 seasons, the team top on December 25 have ended up first on nine occasions.
- However, only five times have the league leaders gone on to win the Grand Final.
- Four current teams – Newcastle Jets, Melbourne City, Wellington Phoenix and Western United – have not led the league at Christmas.
2019-20: Sydney FC
* Perth finished third in 2014-15 before salary cap breaches saw them banned from the finals and placed in seventh.