Dec 14

Matchday 15 Preview

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Leicester vs Manchester United

The Boxing Day festivities get underway at the King Power Stadium, as Leicester play host to Manchester United and with second place welcoming third to their home, this is a game that could have ramifications for both the race for the top four and any genuine title tilts.

Leicester got the better of Tottenham on Sunday and will look to get some revenge on Manchester United, after the Red Devils usurped them in the race for a Champions League place last season.

Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Manchester United

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

An emphatic away win for Aston Villa on Sunday, sees Dean Smith's men currently lie in ninth place and when you consider that they also have two games in hand, the West Midlands outfit could well be the wildcard in the second half of the season.

On Boxing Day, they will play host to Crystal Palace and with the Eagles shipping seven to Liverpool last weekend, Roy Hodgson knows his players will have to do a whole lot better this time around.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace

Fulham vs Southampton

Fulham boss Scott Parker would have felt aggrieved at only earning a point away at Newcastle last Saturday and with the Cottagers slowly starting to turn their season around, they will look to hunt down Brighton in the battle to stay out of the relegation zone.

For Southampton, their momentum was halted at the weekend, as they lost at home to Manchester City and with Danny Ings picking up another injury, this could potentially derail the Saints' campaign.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Southampton

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Just when you think things cannot get any worse for Arsenal, they simply keep getting worse and with the Gunners edging ever closer to the drop zone, genuine questions regarding their top flight status are now being asked by pundits and punters alike.

On Boxing Day, the Gunners play host to local rivals Chelsea and with Frank Lampard's men getting the better of West Ham on Monday, the Blues picked up their first league win in three outings.

Prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea

Manchester City vs Newcastle

Manchester City are undefeated in their last five league outings and with such a run under their belts, they are perhaps flying under the radar at present. With that said, there is still some work to be done by Pep Guardiola and his players, as the start Boxing Day lying eighth in the table.

Next up for them is the visit of Newcastle and after being held at home to Fulham at the weekend, Steve Bruce would be delighted if his side could earn the same outcome at the Etihad.

Prediction: Manchester City 0-3 Newcastle

Sheffield United vs Everton

While although Sheffield United may have done well to earn a point away at Brighton on Sunday, there is still a chasm between the Blades and safety at present and Chris Wilder, knows that a first league win needs to be found at the soonest possible opportunity.

However, Boxing Day might not be the day in which it appears on the horizon and with Everton in great form as of late, it is difficult to look past the Toffees earning all three points on Saturday.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-2 Everton

Leeds vs Burnley

Are Leeds noble in defeat? It is all very well being entertaining but when you are shipping a boatload of goals away from home, then Marcelo Bielsa's overload tactics do need to be questioned. Then again, you only need to look at Leeds' win over Newcastle, as the flipside to all these concerns.

While when it comes to concerns, Burnley's are certainly easing and with an impressive home win against Wolves now in the bank, the Clarets are beginning to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Prediction: Leeds 3-2 Burnley

West Ham vs Brighton

Although West Ham lost 3-0 to Chelsea on Monday night, it was not necessarily a performance that deserved that kind of scoreline and although defeat would have been frustrating for David Moyes and his players, Sunday presents the perfect opportunity to right the wrongs of earlier in the week.

That's because, the Hammers play host to a struggling Brighton side and with the Seagulls slipping further down the table, a relegation battle looks on the horizon at the turn of the new year.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Brighton

Liverpool vs West Brom

League leaders Liverpool put an incredible seven goals past Crystal Palace last weekend, and it was the kind of performance where you feel that things are really starting to click for the defending champions. To the point where, it means bad news for the rest of the division.

While West Brom suffered bad news on Sunday, as new manager Sam Allardyce suffered defeat in his first game in charge and if we're honest, the same outcome will likely be delivered this weekend.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 West Brom

Wolves vs Tottenham

Wolves have seemingly reverted to type after getting the better of Chelsea, as their next performance saw them lose away at Burnley and once again, the lack of talisman Raul Jimenez will have been of obvious concern to manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

He and his players will look to bounce back on Sunday, as they play host to a Tottenham side who have not won any of their last three league outings and what a difference a week in football makes.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Tottenham