Truth behind Premier League winter break as Man City handed advantage over Liverpool FC

Manchester City will get a slight advantage on table-topping Premier League rivals Liverpool during the upcoming winter break. Clubs across the top-flight are set to sit out one of the next two matchdays in order to recharge their batteries for what is shaping up to be an exciting run-in this season.

After a hectic December schedule - at home and abroad - City only had four matches pencilled in for January with their pre-arranged Premier League break coming between January 20-21. Easing past Huddersfield in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium means they won't have a tackle a third round replay, either.

That is also the case for Liverpool after they defeated Arsenal in the world-famous competition. However, due to their involvement in the Carabao Cup - and slightly reduced Premier League break - the Reds will not get quite as much time to put their feet up as City this month.

ALSO READ: Foden lays down No.10 ambitions at City

ALSO READ: Captain confirmed after De Bruyne return

Seven top-flight clubs - namely Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Wolves - have an extra game to contend with as they each face an FA Cup replay. That has reduced the respective breaks they were looking forward to.

Chelsea, Fulham and Liverpool - the three Premier League sides left standing in the Carabao Cup - will also get less time off owing to their midweek semi-final matches. Liverpool have 11 days between their last-four game vs Fulham and their Premier League return against AFC Bournemouth.

Those two games are penned in for January 10 and January 21 respectively. City, whose break comes a week earlier than Liverpool, have 14 days between their Premier League match against Newcastle United