The Premier League kicks back into gear on Boxing Day after over a month-long hibernation. Which clubs will qualify for the Champions League and who will be scrapping for Premier League survival?
Brentford VS Tottenham
Brentford and Tottenham face each other at Brentford Community Stadium on Matchday 17. The Bees did well to shock star-studded Man City before the World Cup break, with the team putting an end to their four-game winless run. Thomas Frank’s men aim to give fans yet another reason for celebration, but, no doubt, they would be happy with one point from the local derby.
Spurs, on the other hand, proved their worth in a 4-3 win over Leeds United, with the team remaining in the Champions League berth. Antonio Conte’s men are eager to rejoin the title race, but beating the Bees at Brentford Community Stadium is easier said than done. This match may come too early for Croatia international Ivan Perisic, who participated in the World Cup third-place playoffs.
Our prediction, Tottenham to win or Over 2.5 goals
Crystal Palace VS Fulham
Crystal Palace and Fulham face each other at Selhurst Park in what is expected to be an interesting local derby. The Eagles aim to make amends for a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, and they are likely to fight tooth and nail against the Cottagers. Wilfried Zaha will be the man to watch in the home team despite failing to convert a penalty in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, while all Guehi, Ferguson, and McArthur are out of contention with injuries.
The visitors, continue to rely on Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored two goals for Serbia at the 2022 World Cup finals. Fulham failed to shock Manchester United rivals in the previous two league fixtures, but they are surely capable of holding Palace to a draw in the local derby. Both Kebano and Solomon should miss out with injuries for the away team.
Our prediction, Draw or GG
Everton VS Wolves
Everton will look to escape the danger zone when they take on Wolverhampton in a highly-anticipated relegation six-pointer on Boxing Day. The Toffees have were struggling in front of goal before the World Cup break, but they will not have a better chance than this to get back on course. Frank Lampard can count on key players for Monday’s showdown, which is yet another reason why home win should be considered.
Meanwhile, the Wolves are stuck at the bottom of the table with only 10 points in their pocket, and seeing that key attacker Raul Jimenez doesn’t seem to be fully fit, we are tempted to put our money on Frank Lampard’s troops.
Our Prediction, Everton wins.
Leicester VS Newcastle
King Power Stadium will host the Boxing Day game between Leicester City and Newcastle United. The Foxes aim to build on back-to-back wins over Everton and West Ham, and they must be high on spirits ahead of the visit of Newcastle.
The Magpies, have been impressive in the first half of the season, with the team sitting in the Champions League berth after 17 rounds. Newcastle are on a five-match winning run in the English top flight, and they are surely capable of matching Brendan Rodgers’ troops on the road. Taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw.
Our prediction, Over 2.5 goals
Southampton vs Brighton
Southampton will be looking to escape the relegation zone when they take on Brighton. The Saints are desperate to escape the relegation zone, and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field in the Boxing Day clash.
Brighton are eager to move closer to the Europa League berth, and given Southampton’s shaky defence, we predict that the visitors are going to pick up all three points from the match.
Our prediction, Brighton wins or Over 2.5
Aston Villa VS Liverpool
Buoyed by back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Southampton, Liverpool will look to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Aston Villa on Boxing Day. The Reds have slim chances of winning the Premier League trophy, and, no doubt, the team’s new goal is to represent England in the Champions League next term.
Monday’s game comes too early for Diogo Jota, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem. A man to watch in the home team will be goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who won the World Cup trophy with Argentina, while defender Diego Carlos remains in the recovery room. Coutinho will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. Anyhow, away win should be considered as Liverpool were showing signs of improvement before the World Cup break.
Our Prediction, Liverpool wins
Arsenal VS West Ham
Arsenal and West Ham United face each other at Emirates Stadium in the closing match of Monday’s program. The Gunners are eager to retain top position in the standings, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at West Ham in the local derby. All Arsenal key players are back from international duty, but keep in mind that both Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are major doubts.
David Moyes’ men, on the other hand, are on a three-game losing run in the English top flight, which is yet another reason why we are going to bet on the league leaders.
Our prediction, Arsenal to win or Over 2.5 goals
Chelsea VS Bournemouth
Chelsea take on Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in their first Premier League game after the World Cup break. The Blues are not enjoying a season to remember, and they are on a three-game losing run ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
Meanwhile, the Cherries desperately needed a win against Everton, and they managed to get one in style (3-0), with the team putting an end to their four-match losing run in the Premier League. Bournemouth, though, are not regarded as good travellers, and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Chelsea’s party in London.
Our Prediction, Chelsea to win
Manchester United VS Nottingham Forest
Ronaldo-less Manchester United will look to build on a 2-1 win over Fulham when they take on Nottingham Forest on Matchday 17. CR7 is no longer part of the team, and, in his absence, fit-again France striker Anthony Martial is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts. Winger Sancho should miss out with injury, but there are no other selection worries in the home team.
The Reds, on the other hand, aim to build on a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Forest, though, are not regarded as good travellers, and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Man Utd’s party at Old Trafford. All Henderson, Niakhate, Biancone, and Koyate are out of contention for the away team.
Our prediction, Man Utd to win
Leeds United VS Man City
Wednesday’s football game between Leeds United and Manchester City will bring down the curtain on day 17 of the new Premier League campaign. The Whites are only two points clear of the relegation zone, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as underdogs in this encounter. Defender Tyler Adams is banned for the match, whereas all Gray, Sinisterra, and Dallas are sidelined with injuries. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s troops are eager to melt Arsenal’s advantage in the standings.
The Citizens suffered a shocking home loss to Brentford before the international break, but we predict that they will take advantage of Leeds United’s shaky defence.
Our prediction, Man City to win.
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