Watford vs Crystal Palace
Monday 26th December 2016, 12.30
The first match of Boxing Day takes place at Vicarage Road, and should be an interesting London derby. Both teams come into it on the back of two-match losing runs, Watford's most recent a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, and Palace's also a 1-0 loss, at home to Chelsea. That loss spelled the end for Alan Pardew as Palace boss, with disgraced ex-England manager Sam Allardyce replacing him in the hot seat at Selhurst Park.
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| Big Sam has taken the reins at Crystal Palace (Getty Images) |
Watford enjoyed the majority of the ball in their game at Sunderland, but were made to pay for their wastefulness by Patrick van Aanholt. Troy Deeney's struggles continued, the striker misplacing his pass to Odion Ighalo when in a great position, before heading wide from Nordin Amrabat's cross. The Hornets captain has now been on 99 Watford goals since 1st October, and he will be desperate to break that hoodoo and give the Vicarage Road faithful some festive cheer.
Palace gave a decent account of themselves against league leaders Chelsea, but the goal that sealed Alan Pardew's fate was made all too easy for the Blies, firstly for Cesar Azpilicueta to deliver and secondly, for Diego Costa to nod past Wayne Hennessey. The Eagles did create some chances, Jason Puncheon going closest for them at Selhurst Park, but they were up against the best defence in the league, and I feel that Crystal Palace's decision to sack Pardew was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction.
Having said that, Palace now sit 17th in the table and are just a point above 18th-placed Sunderland. That is a worrying sight for Palace fans, and Walter Mazzarri will be confident of gaining all three points at home on Monday. However, Allardyce will be out to prove a point in his first game, and I can see his new side getting a point at Vicarage Road in Monday's early kick-off.
Prediction: 2-2
Arsenal vs West Brom
Monday 26th December 2016, 15.00
Both sides enter this clash at the Emirates on the back of defeats in Gameweek 17. Arsenal lost 2-1 at title-rivals Manchester City, their second successive defeat, whilst West Brom 2-0 at home to Manchester United, only their second defeat in their last seven league games.
For the second time in a week, Arsenal threw away a one goal lead to lose 2-1. Their defeat at Manchester City was almost identical to the one at Everton five days before. The Gunners led early, thanks to Theo Walcott, but were lacklustre following the goal, allowing City to dominate the game, eventually equalising through Leroy Sane before Raheem Sterling won it for the Citizens. It was another worrying capitulation by Arsene Wenger's team, who now trail table-topping Chelsea by nine points.
West Brom were deserved losers against Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace condemning Tony Pulis' men to defeat at the Hawthorns. As usual, though, West Brom didn't make it easy for their opponents, although a moment of class from Jesse Lingard to supply Ibrahimovic after just five minutes set United on their way. Pulis' men do struggle against the big teams, but they won't get hammered at the Emirates in my opinion.
I do see Arsenal returning to winning ways on Boxing Day, which they need to if they wish to stay in the title race. West Brom will come to defend, but Arsenal should have enough to break them down and win by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 2-0
Burnley vs Middlesbrough
Monday 26th December 2016, 15.00
Burnley have now lost two matches in succession after a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, whilst Middlesbrough ended a two-match losing streak with a comfortable 3-0 win over Swansea.
Burnley can feel very hard done by after losing at White Hart Lane. Not only did the Clarets lead, but Moussa Sissoko should have been sent off for Spurs for a late, high tackle on Stephen Ward. Sissoko proceeded to tee-up Danny Rose for the winner in the next phase of play, leaving Sean Dyche furious at referee Kevin Friend, who chose only to brandish a yellow at Frenchman Sissoko. That defeat followed a loss at West Ham in Gameweek 16, leaving Burnley sat 16th in the table.
Middlesbrough taught Swansea a lesson at the Riverside as Alvaro Negredo's brace and a goal from Marten de Roon earned Boro a second win in December. It was thoroughly deserved as the hosts outfought, outran and outclassed their survival rivals, leaving them sat a respectable 14th on Christmas Day.
Neither team will want to lose this one, as it's starting to look really tight at the bottom. If either team does win it would be a massive three points, as you could label this one a potential six-pointer, but I can see it ending honours even between Sean Dyche and Aitor Karanka on Monday afternoon.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Monday 26th December 2016, 15.00
Chelsea's win at Crystal Palace was their eleventh straight league victory and left them six points clear of second-placed Liverpool at the close of Gameweek 17. Bournemouth lost 3-1 at home to South Coast rivals Southampton, leaving them 10th as we approach the halfway stage of the campaign.
Chelsea are in the form of their lives, and look like they could walk this league under Antonio Conte's leadership. On 17th December 2015, Jose Mourinho was sacked as Blues' boss with the club 16th, just one point clear of the relegation zone. Jump forward a year and Conte's charges are bang-on course for a fifth Premier League title after a run of eleven straight league victories, nine of which have seen them keep clean sheets. The back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill have been exceptional, as has goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois behind them. Diego Costa is the league's top scorer, with thirteen, and the Blues look simply unstoppable.
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| Antonio Conte has inspired Chelsea (Getty Images) |
Bournemouth were comfortably beaten by Southampton despite Nathan Ake giving the Cherries the lead early on in the game. Eddie Howe will be disappointed at how easily his side gave up their lead, with Ryan Bertrand and a double from Jay Rodriguez wrapping up the points for the visiting Saints. Howe's men will have to be at the top of their game if they wish to earn a repeat of their victory at Stamford Bridge last season, but they visit a completely revitalised Chelsea this campaign.
No matter how well Bournemouth play at the Bridge, they won't get anything from this game. Although Chelsea will be missing Diego Costa through suspension, the Blues will be desperate to earn a twelfth straight win, as they hunt down Arsenal's Premier League record of fourteen.
Prediction: 3-0
Leicester vs Everton
Monday 26th December 2016, 15.00
Leicester will be thrilled with their 2-2 draw at Stoke in Gameweek 17, after trailing 2-0 with ten men against the Potters. Everton boss Ronald Koeman's Christmas was dealt a blow after Sadio Mane's 94th-minute goal won the Merseyside Derby for Liverpool at Goodison, 1-0, a week ago.
The Foxes finally showed the team spirit that won them the league last season, recovering from a harsh red card shown to Jamie Vardy to battle back from 2-0 to snatch a share of the spoils at Stoke. Following Vardy's dismissal, goals from Bojan (p) and Joe Allen looked to have set the Potters on their way to the three points. However, substitute Leonardo Ulloa halved the deficit with a goal that was only given thanks to the fantastic goal-line technology system, before Daniel Amartey headed home with just two minutes left to rescue the unlikeliest and most dramatic of draws for Claudio Ranieri's men. The one disappointment for Ranieri is that Vardy's appeal was dismissed, and he now faces a three-match ban.
Everton were the better team for much of the Merseyside derby, but they sat off Liverpool in the second half and for the last half hour you felt that if there was going to be a goal it was going to come from the Reds. Unfortunately for the Toffees, it came four minutes into injury-time, Sadio Mane tapping home after Daniel Sturridge's scuffed and deflected effort came back off the post. That result will have dealt a real blow to the Toffees, who looked to be in a good place after a fantastic win over Arsenal in Gameweek 16. Ronald Koeman will also know that he is lucky to have Ross Barkley available for selection at Leicester; the English midfielder was very lucky to escape a red card for a nasty tackle on Jordan Henderson.
This is another close game to call, but I'm inclined to go for Leicester after their late heroics at Stoke. I also feel Liverpool's late goal at Goodison Park will have knocked the Everton players' confidence, so I'm going for a home win at the King Power.
Prediction: 2-1
Manchester United vs Sunderland
Monday 26h December 2016, 15.00
United are on a three-game winning run after their 2-0 victory at West Brom last weekend, whilst Sunderland's 1-0 victory over Watford saw them climb off the foot of the table and up to 18th, just a point behind Crystal Palace.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did the business for Jose Mourinho's Red Devils as they ran out 2-0 winners at the Hawthorns. Jesse Lingard put his first on a plate with a sublime cross, before the Swede scored a brilliant solo effort to put the match beyound doubt, albeit via a deflection. Man United have now won three on-the-bounce and are unbeaten in eight in the league. That run has seen them cut the gap to 4th-placed Arsenal to just four points, and you'd be foolish to rule them out of a top-four spot.
Sunderland did what they had to do to beat Watford at the Stadium of Light, defending well and nicking a goal at the other end through Patrick van Aanholt. It was a welcome win for David Moyes ahead of his return to Old Trafford, ending a run of two defeats on-the-spin and lifting them off the bottom of the league table.
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| David Moyes returns to Old Trafford as Sunderland boss (Getty Images) |
David Moyes will be determined to get a result at his former club after his torrid spell at Old Trafford, but he faces a United team that are playing their best football of the season so far. Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic are starting to click, and I believe they'll play their part in United's fouth league victory of December.
Prediction: 2-0
Swansea vs West Ham
Monday 26th December 2016, 15.00
It's two defeats in a row now for Bob Bradley's Swansea after their 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, leaving them 19th, off the bottom on goal difference alone. West Ham have now won two in a row following a 1-0 victory over Hull, and have jumped to 13th in the table.
Swansea look destined for relegation at this moment in time, as was made obvious by their performance at Middlesbrough. The Swans were torn apart, particularly by Alvaro Negredo, despite enjoying the majority of possession. The Swans inability to score goals could cost them massively this season, and as we approach the halfway stage of the season I have to question the decision to appoint Bradley. If I were the owner of a struggling Premier League side, I'd be making sure to appoint somebody with experience and know-how in this league, although I'd never have got rid of Garry Monk to begin with!
West Ham have enjoyed a real turn around in fortunes, two 1-0 victories at the London Stadium propelling them away from the drop zone. Mark Noble's penalty was enough to win it for the Hammers, although Slaven Bilic will be thanking his lucky stars after Hull were denied three times by the post throughout the game.
I just can't see Swansea winning a match at the moment, as I don't think that they've got enough players of genuine quality at the top of the pitch, and I also think their defence is shocking at the moment. It still won't be easy for West Ham, who haven't been prolific this season, but I'm backing the visitors to make it three straight league victories.
Prediction: 1-2
Hull vs Manchester City
Monday 26th December 2016, 17.15
Hull are rock-bottom of the Premier League after their defeat at West Ham, whilst Manchester City climbed above Arsenal into third by beating them 2-1 at the Etihad.
In fairness to Hull, they were very unlucky to leave West Ham empty-handed. Not only did they rattle the woodwork thrice, there was also a huge amount of controversy surrounding the penalty awarded to the Hammers. Tom Huddlestone was adjudged to have pulled down Michail Antonio with a quarter-of-an-hour left, but it appeared to be a real soft one and Mike Phelan will have been left feeling massively aggrieved as his side sunk to the bottom of the league table with their second successive defeat.
City came from a goal behind to earn a thoroughly deserved victory over Arsenal. Theo Walcott's early strike had given the visitors the lead, but City turned the game on its head with a brilliant performance. Leroy Sane equalised with his first goal for City in the second half, before the impressive Raheem Sterling completed the comeback. That was a second straight victory for Pep Guardiola's men, and sees them up to third, seven points off leaders Chelsea.
I fear for Hull in this one, as City will be on a massive high after their brilliant victory over the Gunners. There is bound to be an absolute mauling somewhere on boxing day, and I'm going for an outrageous scoreline at the KCOM!
Prediction: 0-5
Liverpool vs Stoke
Tuesday 27th December 2016, 17.15
Liverpool enter this game on the back of two straight league victories, the most recent of which came thanks to their late 1-0 victory at neighbours Everton. Stoke arrive at Anfield on the back of two successive draws after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Leicester.
Jurgen Klopp will be happy at how his side have responded to their shocking 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago. Since then, they have drawn one and won two of their next three games, the most recent victory giving Reds fans everywhere the perfect Christmas present. Sadio Mane netted a 94th-minute winner in a tight, nervy Merseyside derby at Goodison Park to send the away supporters into delirium. Daniel Sturridge returned off the bench in that match, and he played a huge part in the winner, cutting inside and hitting the post before Mane tapped home the rebound.
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| Liverpool enjoyed a fine Merseyside derby win (Getty Images) |
Mark Hughes will be furious at his side after they threw away a 2-0 lead against the champions. Bojan's penalty and Joe Allen's tap-in had given the Potters the half-time lead against ten man Leicester following Jamie Vardy's harsh dismissal. However, the Potters took their foot off the gas in the second half, allowing Leonardo Ulloa a free header to halve the deficit before Daniel Amartey snatched a late equaliser for the Foxes.
I still think that Liverpool are Chelsea's biggest rivals for the title this season, due to the fact that neither are participating in Europe. They are six points adrift of the Blues at the moment so this is a must-win for the Merseysiders, and I fancy them to do the business at Anfield.
Prediction: 3-1
Southampton vs Tottenham
Wednesday 29th December 2016, 19.45
This should be a really entertaining game to close Gameweek 18. Southampton are up to 7th thanks to a cracking 3-1 win at Bournemouth, whilst Spurs have won twice in a row after beating Burnley 2-1 and sit 5th in the league table.
Jay Rodriguez was the star for the Saints as they won the South Coast derby at Bournemouth. His brace helped Claude Puel's men to a second victory in three games as they came from a goal down at the Vitality Stadium. Nathan Ake had given the Cherries an early lead, but Ryan Bertrand scored a good solo goal to equalise before Rodriguez got in on the act. He bundled home Steven Davis' cross to make it 2-1, before scoring one of the goals of the season, a sensational volley on the spin from outside the area.
Spurs made hard work of Burnley but accrued an important victory all the same. Ashley Barnes had given the Clarets the lead, but Dele Alli replied just six minutes later for Spurs. It looked as though the game was heading for a draw, before Danny Rose scored with 19 minutes left on the clock. There was a huge amount of controversy, Moussa Sissoko escaping a red card before supplying Rose, but Mauricio Pochettino won't care in the slightest ahead of the visit to his former side.
This is a close game to call, as both are capable of scoring goals and both have been conceding goals in recent weeks. Pochettino won't want to lose at his former stomping ground, and I think this will be an entertaining draw at St Mary's.
Prediction: 2-2
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