PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS - SATURDAY DECEMBER 26

Boxing Day is one of the rare occasions when all 20 Premier League teams are in action

Stoke City v Manchester United – 1245

Positions: Stoke 11^th, Man Utd 5^th

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

Stoke

WWLWDL (10pts)

Man Utd

WWDDLL (8pts)

• With the Britannia Stadium often cited as a difficult place to visit, Stoke look to take another scalp on home territory. With United having only two wins in eight, and displaying deficiencies in both defence and attack, the Potters may fancy their chances. Some reports suggest Louis van Gaal will not keep his job unless United can win at least one of their next two matches.

Aston Villa v West Ham United – 1500

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, West Ham 8^th

Form:

Aston Villa

DLLDLD (3pts)

West Ham

DLDDDD (5pts)

• If Villa are to stand any chance of staying up, they need to start winning soon. West Ham have not won in seven, but have also not conceded in the last three matches, which have all ended 0-0. Dimitri Payet may return from injury here to give them a boost upfront. 16 games have passed since Villa won on the opening day, and confidence will be in short supply as they seek to break down the Hammers defence.

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace – 1500

Positions: Bournemouth 14^th, Crystal Palace 6^th

Form:

Bournemouth

LDDWWW (11pts)

Crystal Palace

WLWDWW (10pts)

• Two in-form teams go head-to-head here, and with both teams hard to beat in recent weeks, is a draw most likely? Excitement is growing at Selhurst Park, with only goal difference separating Palace from the Champions League places.

Chelsea v Watford – 1500

Positions: Chelsea 15^th, Watford 7^th

Chelsea

LWDLLW (7pts)

Watford

LLWWWW (12pts)

• So was Chelsea’s win over Sunderland a sign of how the players responded to no longer having to play under Jose Mourinho, or was it just a reflection of how poorly the Black Cats played? WE may found out in this encounter with a Watford side who have a resolute defence and an in-form striker in Odion Ighalo. Watford have won their last four – the last three with clean sheets.

Liverpool v Leicester City – 1500

Positions: Liverpool 9^th, Leicester 1^st

Form:

Liverpool

LWWLLL (6pts)

Leicester

WWDWWW (16pts)

• After last week’s defensive capitulation to Watford, Liverpool look very vulnerable to the goal threat of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. The optimism generated by a few performances in Jurgen Klopp’s early matches in charge has gone now, and Liverpool’s league results are no better under the German than they were with Brendan Rogers in charge. After being bottom of the table on Christmas Day 2014, Leicester are top of the tree just 12 months later! However, Liverpool do have the players to win this match if they really hit top form, so this is another test of the Foxes’ title credentials.

Manchester City v Sunderland – 1500

Positions: Man City 3^rd, Sunderland 19^th

Man City

DLWLWL (7pts)

Sunderland

LWWLLL (6pts)

• City remain inconsistent, and Monday’s loss to Arsenal has left them six points off the pace. The difference between their defensive records when Vincent Kompany plays and when he is absent is startling. However, they must still be considered favourites against a Sunderland side who show no signs of solving their own defensive problems.

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion – 1500

Positions: Swansea 18^th, West Brom 13^th

Form:

Swansea

LDLLLL (1pt)

West Brom

LWDDDL (6pts)

• Alan Curtis again takes caretaker charge of a Swansea team who have slipped into the bottom three, and look in dire need of some breaks in front of goal, some confidence and a permanent managerial appointment. West Brom continue to struggle and this match must be one for Swansea to target as they look to climb up the table. Perhaps don’t expect a goal fest here.

Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City – 1500

Positions: Tottenham 4^th, Norwich 16^th

Tottenham

DWDDLW (9pts)

Norwich

WLDLDW (8pts)

• Man for man, Tottenham have the better players, but will Norwich be buoyed by last week’s victory at Old Trafford and cause another upset?

Newcastle United v Everton – 1730

Positions: Newcastle 17^th, Everton 10^th

Form:

Newcastle

WLLWWD (10pts)

Everton

DWDDDL (7pts)

• With all the attention lavished on Jamie Vardy, Romelu Lukaku is quietly building his own goalscoring run. Everton’s Belgian striker has scored in each of his last seven league matches, but his goals have not always delivered wins for his side, who remain firmly in mid table with just two wins in the last ten. There are plenty of weaknesses in the Toffees side that a resurgent Newcastle can exploit.

Southampton v Arsenal - 1945

Positions: Southampton 12^th, Arsenal 2^nd

Form:

Southampton

WLLDLL (4pts)

Arsenal

DLDWWW (11pts)

• After the crucial win over Man City, Arsenal are the bookies favourites for the title. In their last two matches – against both Aston Villa and City – they have had fewer chances but still looked good value for their win, and must be strong favourites against struggling Southampton.