Just when you think you may be stuffed with Premier League action, you realize there are leftovers so finish. Three more days of games to fill you up and take you into the New Year. Sky and BT lost out to Amazon for all these fixtures, however unless Amazon believe you to have a UK adresss and Irish Amazon Prime account wont be sufficient to watch the games in the Republic. To do so here, Premier Sports is your only option.
Monday 28th December
15:00 Crystal Palace v Leicester City on Premier Sports One
In the last two games Crystal Palace have conceded a total of 10 goals, Seven against top placed side Liverpool and three against Aston Villa who went sixth (before Spurs moved ahead of them with a draw against Wolves). Leicester are sitting in third place currently so logically you could assume they will score five. However the Premier League has not offered much in the way of logic this season. To be fair to Brendan Rodgers side, it is not outside the realms of a possibilities putting five in the net. Jamie Vardy certainly has his scoring boots on this season with 12 goals in 14 appearances.
17:30 Chelsea v Aston Villa on Premier Sports One
Frank Lampard was furious after his sides defeat to Arsenal, he was probably equally as furious at their losses to both Everton and Wolves all ready this month. It has truly been a horrid month which have Chelsea slide from possible title contenders to seventh in the table. Aston Villa dominated Crystal Palace with Jack Grealish in particular playing exceptionally. Aston Villa now sit one place ahead of Chelsea however they will have to do without Ross Barkley ( Chelsea Loanee ) and Tyrone Mings (Sent off against Crystal Palace). One will have to wonder will Lampard be under pressure if his side suffers another defeat?
20:00 Everton v Manchester City On Premier Sports One
Both sides are coming off victories from their 8pm kickoff on St. Stephans Day. Pep Guardiola bested Steve Bruce with goals from Ikay Gundogan and new signing Ferran Torres. Carlo Anceltotti seen Everton jump to second in the Premier League with a non convincing win over bottom placed side Sheffield United. After two draws with Manchester United and West Brom Manchester City seem to finally be hitting their stride with three victories in their last three games. However this will be the Citizens ninth game in December while The Toffes will be lining out for their seventh fixture this month. Will this have an effect on the game?
Tuesday 29th December
18:00 Brighton and Hove Albion v Arsenal on Premier Sports
Boom Xhaka Laca Saka! Mikel Arteta will be buoyed by Arsenal’s London Derby victory over Chelsea on St. Stephens Day. A run of seven games without a win has finally come to an end for the Gunnars and fans will be hoping their side can build upon that display against Graham Potters Brighton. The Seagulls also have cause to be confident though, going ahead against London opposition West Ham twice only to falter to concede the same amount and come away with a draw. If Brighton won that they could of potentially jumped Arsenal in the league with a victory at home, however now they will now remain underneath them despite the result.
18:00 Burnley v Sheffield United no Irish Channel
Chris Wilders Sheffield United are ten points off safety and still searching for a win. The side are putting in some good performances yet seemed cemented to the bottom of the table. Burnley are fairing a bit better but not by much as their loss to Leeds sees Sean Dyches side just two points off relegation. As some people say when their is a dogfight happening at the bottom of the table, this is a six pointer.
18:00 Southampton v West Ham United no Irish Channel
Both sides are coming off draws against teams circling the Premier League drain, Southampton held to a goalless draw with Fulham and West Ham coming back twice against Brighton to earn a point. The last three matches both teams have been identical in terms of points earned. A win is needed by both managers if they want to keep any European hopes alive.
18:00 West Bromwich Albion v Leeds United on Premier Sports Two
Patrick Bamford has claimed he wants the Golden Boot this year and did his chances no harm with a penalty against Burnley in Leeds one nil victory. Leeds wont care or deviate from their normal game plan just because of West Broms terrific result against Liverpool. It will be a tale of two different philosophies, with a cautious Sam Allardyce hoping to capitalize on a typical throwing of caution to the wind by Marcelo Bielsa.
20:00 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers on Premier Sports One
Was it a blip against Leicester or a fair result for the Red Devils. Normally a point against the foxes wouldn’t be to bad, but giving up a lead twice is what the United faitfull will be upset about. Shoddy defending has been a huge talking point of Oles season, but with Victor Lindleoff and Arron Wan Bissaka seemingly injured chances will be up for grabs for the likes of Eric Bailley and Axel Tuanzebe. Wolves on the other hand will be happy with their late draw with Totteham and will go into the fixture knowing they can cause an upset at Old Trafford. It is worth pointing out that in the sides four meetings last year, three of those games ended in draws.
Wednesday 30th December
18:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham on Premier Sports One
A late goal against them when playing Wolves has continue Jose Mourinhos miserable December. Claiming just two points from a possible twelve. Fulham on the other hand have drawn their last four games and will be delighted with picking up another point away to their London neighbors. Mourinho will look to control the game from the offset but desperately needs the three points and with such great attacking options should really be winning this game.
20:00 Newcastle United v Liverpool on Premier Sports One
The last game of 2020, and traditionally this fixture always produces bangers! Eight goals in last seasons two fixtures, Liverpool came out on top with the six points. However a defensive crisis is on the cards for Liverpool as their only other recognized centre back Joel Matip complained of an abductor injury after the West Brom game. This coinciding with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the season, comes a pivotal moment for The ‘Pool. Steve Bruce will have to get something from this game and be a bit creative with his game plan. Against Man City, Newcastle played only one player (Joelinton) from the 14 Steve Bruce has signed in his new two year stint on Tyneside. Amazingly out of the 14 then used against Man City, seven are out of contract at the end of the year. These are things the Toon Army are noticing, and even though they are going up against the Champs, fans will still demand something from the game.
