Is the league title race already decided by Christmas?

[Ria99]

Every year the pundits tell us the title race is alive until spring, and every year it feels mathematically alive but practically dead by late December. Once a gap hits eight or nine points with a squad that never rotates badly, the chasing pack needs a collapse rather than a comeback

I pulled up the past ten seasons in the leagues I follow and the team top at Christmas won far more often than not. The exceptions are memorable precisely because they are exceptions. We remember the great comebacks because they almost never happen

So is the winter break basically the finish line in disguise? Or am I falling for survivorship in reverse, only noticing the seasons that confirm my grumpiness?

[NorthernKernel]

Depends entirely on the league. Some divisions are a procession, others have genuine chaos every year

[Diane82]

The fixture congestion after Christmas is exactly when squads crack though, that is the counterargument

[Brooke_19]

Injuries are the great equaliser. One long term injury to the wrong player and a nine point gap evaporates

[QueueJump58]

Do you have the actual numbers from your ten season check? I would like to see them rather than take it on trust

[Cobalt Warren]

Cup competitions distort everything too, a deep cup run can wreck a league campaign

[Danny47]

I think fans just enjoy pretending it is alive. Hope is the product being sold

[CacheLayer Kate]

Bit cynical! Some of us genuinely enjoy the football regardless of the table

[Bob93]

What would fix it then, playoffs? Because I would hate that and I suspect most here would too