Ahead of the Boxing Day festive fixtures, the Premier League has postponed Liverpool’s game against Leeds United, the match between Wolves and Watford and Burnley v Everton because of rising coronavirus cases.
All three games were due to be played at and 12:30 and 3:00 GMT respectively but have been called off after requests from Leeds, Watford and Everton.
The Premier League said Leeds, Watford and Everton could not play “due to the number of players with Covid-19, injuries and illness” which leaves seven fixtures still due to be played on, so here’s some previews and predictions on each of those games:
Manchester City vs Leicester City, 3:00PM
Seeking an eighth win in a row, league leaders Manchester City look to extend their gap at the top even further as they host Leicester City on Boxing Day.
While the champions are now favourites to defend their crown after a scintillating streak since early November, their inconsistent visitors arrive at the Etihad Stadium having dramatically lost out in the EFL Cup quarter-finals to Liverpool.
Amid an incredible run which is showing no signs of letting up, Manchester City have not only established a three-point Premier League lead, but also registered 11 goals without reply in their two most recent outings.
After surviving a dubious penalty call to go on and record a 4-0 win over lowly Newcastle United, they posted their third successive clean sheet last weekend, maintaining the best defensive record in the division, having only conceded just nine goals so far.
Four different goalscorers at St James’ Park – plus six names on the scoresheet in the 7-0 victory against a struggling Leeds United a few days earlier – demonstrated the phenomenal wealth of attacking talent available to Pep Guardiola, who has also seen his side qualify for a place in the Champions League’s last 16.
Despite the summer departure of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero to Barcelona and the forthcoming transfer of Ferran Torres to the same destination according to widespread reports, Guardiola insists that no signings are required during the winter window, and the nature of City’s performances support that conclusion.
City have scored 24 times since they last failed to win in the league, back in late October, and sit top of the Premier League at Christmas for only the third time – on both previous occasions they went on to be eventual champions.
Guardiola’s men also secured their 34th league victory of 2021 by beating Newcastle, setting a new record for the most top-flight wins by any team in a calendar year, so they should have no qualms in dispatching a team currently struggling for consistency.
Having been eliminated from the Europa League earlier in December, when losing 3-2 to group rivals Napoli, more woe followed on Wednesday night, as Leicester missed out on a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals by losing on penalties at Anfield, blowing a comfortable 3-1 lead in the process.
Currently ninth in the Premier League table, the season as a whole has not been going to plan for the East Midlands side, who had won just one of their previous six games before beating Newcastle last time out in the top flight.
Perhaps hoping that a 4-0 win over the Magpies would kickstart an underwhelming campaign, Brendan Rodgers was then hit by the postponement of games against Tottenham and Everton, due to the impact of COVID-19.
Not only must they now pick themselves up after midweek disappointing against this weekend’s formidable opponents, but Leicester City will travel to Manchester knowing that their only away wins this campaign have come against newly promoted teams. They have also lost eight of their last 10 meetings with Manchester City – including a 1-0 defeat earlier this term.
MATCH FACT: Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has been directly involved in a team-high 15 goals in all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting four
LEAGUE FORM:
Manchester City: WWWWWW
Leicester City: DLWDLW
KEY MEN: Joao Cancelo (Man City) & James Maddison (Leicester)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Manchester City: Ederson (GK); Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus
Leicester City: Schmeichel (GK); Castagne, Vestergaard, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Soumare; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes
SCORE PREDICTION: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City
Norwich City vs Arsenal, 3:00PM
Following four straight wins in the league and cup, Arsenal will be aiming to keep their strong top-four chase on track when they visit the Premier League’s bottom side Norwich City on Boxing Day.
Having cruised to their 10th top-flight victory last time out at Leeds, and then serenely progressed to the EFL Cup semi-finals, the Gunners meet a side who have won just twice all season.
Victims of disruption caused by the latest twist in the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwich City have been sidelined since their home defeat to Aston Villa over a week ago, having had their fixture with West Ham United called off due to an unfortunate virus outbreak in the squad.
While opportunities to train together have necessarily been limited, perhaps the break came at a good time for the ailing Canaries, who had just lost three consecutive games without scoring and have failed to win in five.
While they remain just three points adrift of safety, Norwich have played at least one game more than several of their relegation rivals, so must start to accumulate points at a greater rate if they are to achieve the unthinkable come May.
Sitting bottom of the Premier League pile with only 10 points to date, they will be aware that only three teams who started Boxing Day in last place have previously managed to avoid demotion since the competition was inaugurated nearly 30 years ago.
Having also lost 10 of their last 14 top-flight encounters with their next opponents, the Canaries will be up against both form and precedent on Sunday.
After starting the month inauspiciously with back-to-back defeats, Arsenal have seemed galvanised by the disciplinary action taken against their captain by manager Mikel Arteta, going on to score 14 times in four successive wins in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence, a decision that now seems perfectly justified.
Featuring a much-changed side, the Gunners followed up nine points from nine in the Premier League with a 5-1 victory over Sunderland in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, in which cup specialist Eddie Nketiah netted a hat-trick for the North London side.
Eighteen-year-old starlet Charlie Patino also added his name to the scoresheet against the Black Cats, to cap a consummate performance from Arteta’s second string and set up a tantalising semi-final tie with Liverpool next month.
Arteta will be proud of his current crop of wonderkids in Bukayo Saka, the recently inspired Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale who are proving the perfect tonic in the club’s search of a top-four spot.
Since their recent London derby win over West Ham lifted them into the top four for the first time since October 2020, Arsenal have gone on to post a convincing win over Leeds last weekend before comfortably progressing in the cup.
They will, therefore, be confident of maintaining a Boxing Day record which has seen the club lose just twice in their last 23 games played on December 26.
Indeed, only Liverpool and Manchester City have bettered the Gunners’ points tally over the past six league matches, but they have tended to falter far more often on the road. Ahead of the trip to Carrow Road, Arsenal have lost five of their nine away fixtures in the Premier League, compared to seven wins from nine on at The Emirates.
Undoubtedly, Arteta will expect to improve that record against a struggling side, with three points from such games a requirement if they are to secure a return to the Champions League come the end of the season.
MATCH FACT: Arsenal are in the Premier League top four on Christmas Day for the first time since 2016. They were 15th this time last season.
LEAGUE FORM:
Norwich City: WDDLLL
Arsenal: WLLWWW
KEY MEN: Teemu Pukki (Norwich) & Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Norwich City: Krul (GK); Aarons, Sorensen, Gibson, Williams; Gilmour, Normann, McLean; Dowell, Pukki, Cantwell
Arsenal: Ramsdale (GK); Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette
SCORE PREDICTION: Norwich City 0-3 Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace, 3:00PM
Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stadium looking to extend their unbeaten streak to five matches in the Premier League.
While the home side currently occupy seventh position in the standings, Palace are down in 11th spot after just one win from their last six fixtures.
Despite accumulating an impressive 11 points from a possible 15 under Antonio Conte, you could argue they are yet to still hits their stride since the Italian’s appointment.
Nevertheless, that is something which will only lead to optimism among the club’s fanbase as they look to take advantage of their games in hand in a bid to chase down fourth-placed Arsenal.
Star-man Harry Kane finally netted his second Premier League goal of the campaign during last weekend’s enthralling 2-2 draw with Liverpool, and Conte will be delighted at the performances of recent outcasts Dele Alli, Steve Bergwijn and Harry Winks, but it is Lucas Moura who has found another gear under Conte.
The Brazilian has contributed three goals and an assist since the beginning of November, the latest of those strikes coming in the 2-1 win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, setting up a mouthwatering semi-finals with Conte’s former side and rivals Chelsea.
However, Spurs were fortunate to see out the second half against the Hammers, and Conte will want to see more of a ruthlessness at both ends of the pitch.
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira and his side have endured a few teething issues in recent weeks. Consistency remains an issue, with Palace only winning just once in six outings and failing to keep a clean sheet in each of those fixtures.
Currently sitting nine points above the relegation zone heading into the festive period, Vieira cannot have too many complaints, but there have been numerous suggestions that his team aren’t always playing to its fullest potential, and with key man Wilfried Zaha away at the African Cup of Nations in January, Palace will need to make full use of their games until he meets up with his national side.
The long-serving winger now has five strikes for the season after ending a five-game goal drought versus the Saints last time out. Vieira will be hoping Zaha, Gallagher, Ayew and Edouard will be firing on all cylinders to grab their second win in six games.
MATCH FACT: Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 14 league fixtures on Boxing Day – the longest ongoing run in England’s top four divisions.
LEAGUE FORM:
Tottenham: LDWWWD
Palace: DLLLWD
KEY MEN: Lucas Moura (Spurs) & Conor Gallagher (Palace)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Tottenham: Lloris (GK); Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Winks, Hojbjerg, Reguilon; Moura, Kane, Son
Crystal Palace: Guaita (GK); Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Hughes, Kouyate; Ayew, Edouard, Zaha
SCORE PREDICTION: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Crystal Palace
West Ham vs Southampton, 3:00PM
West Ham play host to Southampton on Boxing day potentially requiring all three points to retain their spot in the top five of the Premier League standings.
The visitors are without success in their last six top-flight fixtures, leaving them down in 15th position, ahead of their difficult test at the London Stadium.
With such a packed schedule and several injuries to key players, it was somewhat inevitable that the Hammers would eventually encounter an inconsistent run, despite their impressive campaign so far.
Nevertheless, David Moyes would have expected a far better return of five points from six Premier League games, the solitary win coming at home to Chelsea.
Michail Antonio’s struggling form in front of goal has hurt the Hammers chances in recent weeks, as will his coronavirus-related absence over the Christmas period, and its unclear whether the club will be looking to strengthen in the forward areas come the winter window. But it provides other players an opportunity to show that Moyes should not rely heavily on their star forward.
Jarrod Bowen netted a brilliant goal during Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup, although he has struggled for consistency in the final third, he may still be trusted with playing up-front for West Ham against the Saints.
On a positive note, Moyes was left encouraged by the performance in North London, and it may be enough to lift his players ahead of what will be regarded as must-win game on Sunday.
Up until the start of November, there were signs that Southampton had fully recovered from their slow start by collecting 10 points over a four-match period.
However, just three points have come from the following six fixtures, heaping the pressure on Ralph Hasenhuttl once more, with just three wins being recorded from 17 games this season.
Although just five points separate ninth and 15th, Southampton have not looked like a side who are capable of putting together the kind of results which can quickly move them up towards mid-table.
Chelsea loanee Armando Broja continues to be the bright spark in an underwhelming campaign, the 20-year-old having now scored four times from just 621 minutes of top-flight football.
MATCH FACT: West Ham are fifth, their second-highest PL position at Christmas. Their highest was fourth which they achieved under Sam Allardyce in the 2014/15 campaign.
LEAGUE FORM:
West Ham: LLDWDL
Southampton: LLDDLD
KEY MEN: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) & Armando Broja (Southampton)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
West Ham: Fabainski (GK); Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Johnson; Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Lanzini, Benrahma; Bowen
Southampton: Caballero (GK); Livramento, Salisu, Lyanco, Walker-Peters; Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond; Broja, Tella
SCORE PREDICTION: West Ham United 1-1 Southampton
Aston Villa vs Chelsea, 5:30PM
Third-placed Chelsea resume their hectic schedule with a Boxing Day fixture at a resurgent Aston Villa, with the Blues now sitting six points adrift of table-toppers Manchester City.
The hosts return to action sitting in 10th position, a consequence of recording 12 points from six matches since Steven Gerrard took charge.
Villa like many others throughout the division, have experienced their coronavirus outbreak , one which Gerrard has described as ongoing ahead of welcoming the European champions to Villa Park.
The cancellation of last weekend’s game versus Burnley has given Villa’s first-team squad a chance to recharge their batteries, but Gerrard will argue that some momentum could have been lost from the enforced break.
Beating old boss Dean Smith and his Norwich side by a 2-0 score-line represented Villa’s fourth win in six under Gerrard, their two defeats coming against the giants of Manchester City and Liverpool, games in which Gerrard’s side more than made their mark.
Although Villa have lost nine of their 17 matches this season, they are within touching distance of the top eight, and Gerrard will feel that there is a window of opportunity to capitalise on the inconsistency of other clubs.
While Ollie Watkins has not hit the heights of last season, the England international has still contributed four goals from his last eight appearances and he’ll be looking to carry on that form against a stuttering Chelsea.
Having been forced to play three games in less than a week with ongoing coronavirus issues, there can be some sympathy with the selection problems which have hindered Thomas Tuchel.
Nevertheless, the Blues have come through a period against Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford without suffering defeat, two draws in the Premier League being followed by a 2-0 triumph in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Now sitting well adrift of Man City, Tuchel cannot be satisfied with his team’s recent form, but a change in government coronavirus rules should lead to more players returning this weekend.
The biggest plus from the last two games has been consecutive clean sheets, achieved after previously conceding 11 times in six contests.
Tuchel will hope that more goals from open play now follow, but Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat in this corresponding fixture last season as they just about held onto fourth spot in the Premier League on the final day.
MATCH FACT: Villa have amassed 12 points in six matches under head coach Steven Gerrard – two more than in their opening 11 league games under Dean Smith.
LEAGUE FORM:
Aston Villa: WWLWLW
Chelsea: DWLWDD
KEY MEN: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) & Mason Mount (Chelsea)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Aston Villa: Martinez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Young
Chelsea: Mendy (GK); Chalobah, Silva, Rudgier; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Ziyech, Mount; Pulisic
SCORE PREDICTION: Aston Villa 1-1 Chelsea
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Brentford, 8:00PM
Brighton & Hove Albion play host to Brentford on Boxing Day looking to end a 12-match winless streak in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Brentford have collected two victories from their last four outings, leaving the Bees level on points with their hosts in the Premier League standings.
Regardless of whether Brighton are still well above the bottom three, the criticism will continue to arise for Graham Potter as longs as his team fail to end their recent run without a victory.
Eight draws have been recorded from 11 top-flight fixtures, a run which includes stalemates against Arsenal and Liverpool, but frustration is understandable when failing to win several winnable games at the Amex Stadium.
Before the postponement of their trip to Manchester United last weekend, the Seagulls went down 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers without having a shot on target during the second half.
It was the same recurring theme for Potter and his men, playing some good football but just can’t seem to be clinical when it matters most, and that could well mean they face another relegation scrap if they can’t sort out their problems in front of goal.
Nine of their 14 goals have come from Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard, who will argue that they require more help from their teammates rather than being held responsible for contributing to the joint-third worst attacking record in the division.
An argument can be made for Brentford failing to build on their encouraging start to the season with a four-game losing streak occurring between October 16 and November 6.
However, head coach Thomas Frank will instead point to eight points coming from five games, their latest success coming against rivals Watford on December 10.
An argument can be made for Brentford failing to build on their encouraging start to the season with a four-game losing streak occurring between October 16 and November 6.
Sitting nine points ahead of the relegation zone, Frank can only be delighted with his team’s efforts so far, and he will be confident of taking advantage of Brighton’s lack of belief in attack.
While Wednesday’s EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea came as a huge disappointment, the game was Brentford’s first in 12 days, shaking off the cobwebs ahead of a further opportunity to extend the gap ahead of the bottom three.
MATCH FACT: 11 league games without a win on Boxing Day for Brighton – the longest current run in the top four tiers of English football – their most recent against QPR in 2005.
LEAGUE FORM:
Brighton: DLDDDL
Brentford: LDWLDW
KEY MEN: Neal Maupay (Brighton) & Ivan Toney (Brentford)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Brighton: Sanchez (GK); Lamptey, Veltman, Duffy, Cucurella; Gross, Bissouma, Moder; March, Maupay, Trossard
Brentford: Fernandez (GK); Pinnock, Jansson, Sorensen; Canos, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Henry; Toney, Mbeumo
SCORE PREDICTION: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Brentford
Newcastle United vs Manchester United, Monday 8:00PM
Manchester United mark their return to Premier League action following an unfortunate coronavirus outbreak – causing postponements against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion – on Monday with a trip to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
While the Red Devils have been dealing with a raft of COVID-19 cases, Eddie Howe and his men are seeking to avoid a fourth defeat on the bounce.
There is certainly not much festive joy to be had around St James’ Park at the moment, with Newcastle conceding 11 goals in their three most recent defeats as their survival task becomes harder by the week.
It took all of five minutes for Ruben Dias to open the scoring for Manchester City last time out, and the champions would complete a 4-0 rout through Joao Cancelo, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez as the Magpies fell short once again.
After starting the month in such optimistic fashion with a much-needed first win over Burnley, the harsh reality check for Newcastle sees them remain 19th in the table ahead of the Boxing Day fixtures – level on points with Norwich City having played a game more.
Even 17th-placed Watford – who are three points ahead of the Magpies – have two games in hand as Omicron rages across the country, but the appointment of Howe has not exactly led to the upturn in fortunes that the new owners would have aspired for.
A tally of 41 goals conceded is unsurprisingly the worst defensive record in the 2021-22 top-flight season, and having been breached 79 times this calendar year, Newcastle could set a new unwanted record for most Premier League goals conceded in that period.
On the face of it, three defeats from their last eight Premier League games at St James’ Park is hardly abysmal, but a refreshed Man United under new management will not be prepared to play nice on Monday.
One of several English sides to have seen their winter preparations disrupted amid the surge in coronavirus cases, Man United will be taking to the pitch for the first time since December 11th when they make the journey to Tyneside.
The football has been far from dazzling since then, but a pair of crucial 1-0 wins over Crystal Palace and Norwich City means that the Red Devils occupy sixth spot in the table before Sunday’s games kick off – five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with two games in hand.
It is now six games unbeaten in all competitions for Man United since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit after the game against Watford, and having scored in all of their away league games so far this term, Newcastle’s depleted defence could be in for another rough ride on home soil.
MATCH FACT: The Red Devils have won each of their last four encounters with Newcastle – scoring at least three goals on each occasion – although they are without a clean sheet against the Magpies since January 2019.
LEAGUE FORM:
Newcastle United: LDWLLL
Manchester United: LLDWWW
KEY MEN: Callum Wilson (Newcastle) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
LIKELY LINE-UPS:
Newcastle United: Dubravka (GK); Murphy, Lascelles, Schar, Ritchie; Almiron, Longstaff, Willock, Joelinton; Wilson, Saint-Maximin
Manchester United: De Gea (GK); Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes; Ronaldo, Rashford
SCORE PREDICTION: Newcastle United 0-3 Manchester United
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