Stoke Vs Manchester United
Boxing Day kicks off with an intriguing clash as Stoke host Manchester United at The Britannia. The Potters were unable to make it three home wins on the spin when Crystal Palace visited on Saturday. Mark Hughes will be hoping to get one over his former Club who are struggling for form and confidence. Louis Van Gaal is under signifcant pressure with United going four games without a win in the Premier League. Consecutive defeats have seen United fall out of the Top 4 and the Red Devils need to get back to winning ways to keep pace with the League leaders. Home win expected at The Britannia – Back a Stoke victory here.
Prediction 1-0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Aston Villa Vs West Ham
Aston Villa picked up a point when they visited Newcastle on Saturday Evening. The Villains still have much work to do as they sit rock bottom of the Premier League 10 points adrift of safety. West Ham have not travelled well lately and this could give Aston Villa the opportunity to pick up a much needed victory. The Hammers have failed to find the net in any of their last three outings and could be without Andy Carroll who sat out their game at the weekend due to injury. West Ham have drawn three consecutive Premier League games 0-0 and we can see this going the same way. Stalemate at Villa Park – Back a bore draw here.
Prediction 0-0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Bournemouth Vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth picked up an excellent away win at West Brom in Gameweek 17 to complete a sequence of three consecutive victories. The Cherries next face a Crystal Palace side who are unbeaten in four outings and will be difficult to turn over. The Eagles also picked up an away win last weekend and will be brimming with confidence. Pardew’s side are level on points with Spurs who are placed 4th in the Premier League table and have eyes on a Top 4 spot. Both sides have been finding the net lately and this game should have plenty of goals. Score draw at Dean Court – Back a draw here.
Prediction 2-2
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Chelsea Vs Watford
Chelsea started life after Jose Mourinho with a victory over struggling Sunderland. Guus Hiddink takes the reigns for the visit of Watford and will be hoping to see his side register another win which could drag them up the table. The Blues have endured a rotten campaign thus far and face a tough trip to Manchester United in Gameweek 19 so will be looking to pick up maximum points here. Watford provided one of the shock results of Gameweek 17 by beating Liverpool 3-0 on Super Sunday. Ighalo is on fire right now and Chelsea will need to keep close tabs on the Watford forward. Home win expected at Stamford Bridge – Back a Chelsea victory here.
Prediction 2-0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Liverpool Vs Leicester
Liverpool are struggling for form at present with just one point to show from their last three Premier League outings. A heavy 3-0 defeat at Watford in Gameweek 17 has Liverpool sitting 9th in the Premiership heading into Week 18. The Reds face a Leicester side who top the table despite many expecting them to be battling Relegation this Season. The Foxes continue to impress with their attacking brand of football which earned a 2-3 victory at Everton last weekend. Away win expected at Anfield – Back a Leicester victory here.
Prediction 1-2
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Manchester City Vs Sunderland
Manchester City were unable to mount a comeback after going down 2-0 at Arsenal on Monday Night Football. Manuel Pelligrini’s side have been good at home despite struggling on the road and face a Sunderland side deep in the Relegation scrap. Despite the appointment of Sam Allardyce Sunderland have lost three consecutive Premier League games and face a tall order on Boxing Day. The Black Cats will need to be at their very best if they hope to get anything from this fixture. Home win expected at The Etihad – Back a Manchester City victory here.
Prediction 3-0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Spurs Vs Norwich
Tottenham Hotspur bounced back form their surprise defeat against Newcastle to beat Southampton away last weekend. Spurs sit 4th in the Premier League table heading into Gameweek 18 and harbour real ambition to retain a Top 4 finish come the end of the Season. Norwich fans who made the trip to Old Trafford will never forget their side beating Manchester United 1-2. The Canaries have dragged themselves out of the bottom three but need to push on with more positive results to stay there. Home win expected at White Hart Lane – Back a Spurs victory here.
Prediction 2-1
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Swansea Vs West Brom
Swansea City are in the middle of a difficult period for the Club. The Swans are seeking a new manager who can right the ship following a disappointing campaign thus far. Swansea are without a win since October and sit in the Relegation Zone heading into Gameweek 18. West Brom had drawn three straight games before they lost against Bournemouth last weekend. The Baggies are 5 points clear of the bottom three heading into this clash but will not want a direct rival to gain ground on them. Home win at The Liberty Stadium – Back a Swansea Victory here.
Prediction 1-0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Newcastle Vs Everton
Newcastle United are in terrific form having picked up seven points from a possible nine in their last three Premier League outings. The Magpies have dragged themselves out of the bottom three and Steve McClaren will be hoping for more positive results from his side. Everton were beaten by Leicester in Gameweek 17 which caps off a run of four Premier League matches without a win. The Toffees are in the Top 10 but need to string a run of results together to challenge the Top 4. All square at St James’ Park – Back a score draw here.
Prediction 1-1
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Southampton Vs Arsenal
Southampton are in dire form having lost four of their last five Premier League fixtures. The Saints are now in the bottom half of the Premiership and need to pick up more points if they are to avoid being dragged into the Relegation scrap below them. Arsenal picked up a huge win over Manchester City on Monday Night Football. The Gunners have won three on the spin and are just two points adrift of Leicester at the summit of the Premier League. Mesut Ozil has been in terrific form and Southampton will need to keep close tabs on the German. Away win expected at St Marys.
Prediction 1-2
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————
