PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS SATURDAY DECEMBER 12 – MONDAY DECEMBER 14

Norwich City v Everton – Saturday 1245

Positions: Norwich 16^th, Everton 9th

Form: (League matches only – earliest matches first):

Norwich

LLWLDL (4pts)

Everton

LWDWDD (9pts)

• With only one win in the last ten, and that over struggling Swansea, Norwich may struggle to keep out a free scoring Everton team.

Crystal Palace v Southampton – Saturday 1500

Positions: Crystal Palace 6^th, Southampton 12^th

Form:

Crystal Palace

LDWLWD (8pts)

Southampton

DWWLLD (8pts)

• It’s a long time since Southampton last beat a top half team, and they may face a tough task here, but Palace remain slightly inconsistent in spite of their exalted league position.

Manchester City v Swansea City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Man City 3^rd, Swansea 15^th

Form:

Man City

DWDLWL (8pts)

Swansea

WLLDLL (4pts)

• Manchester City look far from convincing, especially in defence when Vincent Kompany is absent. This is even though their other three central defenders cost a combined £70 million. However, it would be a brave person to top Swansea here, whose only win in the last ten was against bottom placed Aston Villa.

Sunderland v Watford – Saturday 1500

Positions: Sunderland 19^th, Watford 10^th

Form:

Sunderland

WLLWWL (9pts)

Watford

WWLLWW (12pts)

• Two sides who haven’t drawn in some time meet here, so which way will it go? With four wins in the last six, good performances in their recent defeats to Leicester and Man Utd and Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo gaining a feared reputation, Watford may be the favourites.

West Ham United v Stoke City – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Ham 7^th, Stoke 11^th

Form:

West Ham

WLDLDD (6pts)

Stoke

LDWWLW (10pts)

• West Ham have not won in five and may struggle to break that run here. Stoke recorded their first two goal win in defeating Man City last week, and now have six wins in the last nine.

Bournemouth v Manchester United – Saturday 1730

Positions: Bournemouth 17^th, Man Utd 4^th

Form:

Bournemouth

LLLDDW (5pts)

Man Utd

DDWWDD (10pts)

• Based on league positions and form –in domestic matches at least – the points should be United’s. But Bournemouth will surely be on a high after their win over Chelsea, and United’s injury problems are mounting, so should the smart money be on the Cherries?

Aston Villa v Arsenal – Sunday 1330

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, Arsenal 2^nd

Form:

Aston Villa

LLDLLD (2pts)

Arsenal

WWDLDW (11pts)

• Arsenal’s strength in depth has served them well in recent matches, and they look well placed to record another win over an Aston Villa side whose position looks increasingly forlorn.

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion – Sunday 1600

Positions: Liverpool 8^th, West Brom 13^th

Form:

Liverpool

DWLWWL (10pts)

West Brom

WLLWDD (8pts)

• There was massive optimism growing at Anfield until their defeat by Newcastle last week. So how will Jurgen Klopp’s undoubtedly talented side respond, given that they are now nine points off the pace? West Brom claimed creditable draws in each of their last two outings.

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United – Sunday 1600

Positions: Tottenham 5^th, Newcastle 18^th

Form:

Tottenham

WWDWDD (12pts)

Newcastle

LDWLLW (7pts)

• Newcastle’s players gave it everything they had to see off Liverpool last week, but another wholehearted performance will surely be required against a Tottenham side whose unbeaten run now stretches to 14 matches.

Leicester City v Chelsea – Monday 2000

Positions: Leicester 1^st, Chelsea 14^th

Form:

Leicester

WWWWDW (16pts)

Chelsea

LLLWDL (4pts)

• With Everton, Liverpool and Man City to follow in the remainder of the year, the crunch period for Leicester has arrived. Facing four big name teams in succession (if not necessarily four in-form teams), can they prove that they really are title contenders?