Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Thursday, 26-12-2019 @3:30pm
Ref: Graham Scott
Brighton have beaten Tottenham just three times in 17 meetings since 1979 (D3, L11). Tottenham’s 3-0 away loss in October was the first time they had failed to score in this fixture since their last home defeat to Brighton, which was in 1981. Brighton are looking to complete their first ever league double over Tottenham.
Spurs are unbeaten in 13 Boxing Day Premier League fixtures (W10, D3), with their last such defeat coming at Portsmouth in 2003. They are unbeaten in all 11 of their previous Premier League home matches on 26 December (W8, D3). Spurs attempted just five shots against Chelsea (including blocked efforts) – their third-lowest total in a top-flight home game since 2003-04. Since Jose Mourinho’s first game in charge of the club, no Premier League team has let in more goals than Spurs in all competitions – they have conceded 14 times, a total matched only by Arsenal. Son Heung-min is the first Premier League player to be sent off three times in a calendar year since Lee Cattermole in 2010 (though Son’s dismissal at Everton was subsequently rescinded). Tottenham have kept a Premier League-low two clean sheets this season (level with Manchester United, Norwich, Southampton).
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min begins a three-game ban after the club failed with an appeal against the red card he received in Sunday’s defeat by Chelsea. Erik Lamela, Hugo Lloris and Ben Davies remain out.
Brighton have no new injury concerns although the squad is expected to be rotated with this the first of two games in three days. Winger Jose Izquierdo is continuing his recovery from a knee injury in his native Colombia.
AFC Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Vitality Stadium, Dorset
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: Steve Martin
Arsenal have won four out of their last five Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, including winning 1-0 in October. The Gunners have never failed to score against the Cherries. Bournemouth have won just one of their 10 meetings in all competitions with Arsenal (D1, L8), coming from behind to win 2-1 at home in January 2018.
Arsenal have won just one of their last 13 matches in all league and cup (D8, L4). The Gunners have had just one clean sheet in their last 15 games in all competitions – that came last weekend against Everton. Arsenal are looking to keep back-to-back clean sheets in away Premier League games for the first time since February 2016. They have won 13 of their 21 Premier League games on Boxing Day. Their win percentage of 62% is the second-best among current top-flight clubs. However, the Gunners have won just one of their last five away games on Boxing Day (D3, L1). Mikel Arteta is the 10th different Spaniard to manage in the Premier League.
Bournemouth’s Diego Rico is banned and fellow defender Nathan Ake is not ready to return after a hamstring injury.A couple of the Cherries’ injury-hit squad could return but manager Eddie Howe says he is “not expecting huge changes to the team”.
Arsenal’s Calum Chambers is suspended but Hector Bellerin and Dani Ceballos might return after thigh injuries. Mesut Ozil is fit after an ankle injury and could feature. Former interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg said Ozil would not have played at Everton even if he had been fit, a decision taken because of the German’s frustrated reaction to being substituted against Manchester City.
Aston Villa vs Norwich City
Villa Park, Birmingham
Saturday, 21-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: Chris Kavanagh
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn faces up to 3 months out with a fractured ankle. Tyrone Mings and Keinan Davis remain sidelined by hamstring injuries but both could be fit for Villa’s game at Watford on Saturday.
Norwich have no new injuries ahead of the trip to the Midlands. Josip Drmic, who has a thigh problem, and Ben Godfrey and Timm Klose, who both have knee injuries, are long-term absentees.
Villa won 5-1 at Carrow Road in the reverse fixture in October. Villa could win both top-flight matches against Norwich in a single season for the third time, after 1980-81 and 2013-14. The Canaries were relegated in both of those campaigns. Norwich are winless in their last seven top-flight visits to Villa Park (D3, L4) but they did win there in the Championship last season.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Stamford Bridge, London
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: Jonathan Moss
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta will be assessed after coming off with a hamstring strain at Tottenham.Head coach Frank Lampard says the rest of his squad have “a couple of bumps and bruises” that will also be monitored ahead of the Boxing Day game.
Southampton’s Moussa Djenepo’s remains out with a hamstring injury, and Shane Long is a doubt with a knee injury. Kevin Danso has recovered from illness and Sofiane Boufal could return after missing two games with a toe problem.
Chelsea have won eight of the last nine meetings between the teams, but were held to a goalless draw in the corresponding fixture last season. The Blues won 4-1 at St Mary’s earlier this season, scoring three times in the first half. Chelsea and Southampton have met four times on Boxing Day, most famously 20 years ago when the Blues became the first Premier League side to name a starting XI without a single British player (in a 2-1 win at The Dell).
Chelsea have lost four of their last six league games, although they did win at Tottenham on Sunday. The Blues could lose consecutive Premier League home fixtures for the first time since 2011. They have not led at half-time in any of their last seven home league matches – they have gone on to win three and draw four of those games. Chelsea are currently unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day (W9, D5), the longest such run without defeat in the Premier League. Their last defeat was back in 2003 against Charlton. The Blues are on a club Premier League record run of 68 consecutive matches without a red card. Southampton were the only opponents Frank Lampard netted a Premier League goal against for each of West Ham United, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United
Selhurst Park, London
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: Andre Marriner
Crystal Palace won October’s reverse fixture 2-1, having previously recorded only one victory in 10 Premier League games against West Ham (D4, L5). The Eagles are looking to complete the league double over the Hammers for the first time since 2013-14. West Ham are unbeaten in five matches at Selhurst Park (W3, D2). The team scoring first hasn’t won any of the last five league meetings between the sides (D3, L2).
Crystal Palace are boosted by Mamadou Sakho’s return from suspension.However, the Eagles remain without Scott Dann, Gary Cahill, Joel Ward, Jairo Riedewald, Jeffrey Schlup and Andros Towsened.
West Ham are assessing David Martin and Lukasz Fabianski, and if neither is fit Roberto may be recalled in goal. Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson are under consideration following injuries but Jack Wilshere is a doubt and Ryan Fredericks is suspended.
Everton vs Burnley
Goodison Park, Liverpool
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: Anthony Taylor
New Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti called Moise Kean a “fantastic talent” in his opening press conference, which could mean just a third Premier League start for the striker. Morgan Schneiderlin and Theo Walcott are sidelined by calf injuries, while Alex Iwobi remains out.
Jeff Hendrick is suspended for Burnley after accumulating five yellow cards. Johann Berg Gudmundsson might feature after recovering from a hamstring injury. Aaron Lennon has been suffering from illness but it is hoped he will be fit in time for the trip to Goodison Park.
There is yet to be a Premier League draw between Everton and Burnley, with the Toffees leading by six wins to five. Burnley’s five victories in this fixture is their highest winning total against any Premier League side. Everton ran out 5-1 winners at Burnley on Boxing Day in 2018.
Sheffield United vs Watford
Bramall Lane, Sheffield
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @6pm
Ref: David Coote
Watford are unbeaten in the last four meetings (W3, D1). The Blades are without a goal in 383 minutes against Watford, last scoring in a 2-0 home Championship win in August 2009. Sheffield United have lost just one of their last five home league games against Watford (W3, D1).
Sheffield United welcome back midfielder John Fleck after he was suspended at the weekend. They have reported no fresh injuries, with manager Chris Wilder admitting he has several selection headaches.
Watford will be without Abdoulaye Doucoure after he received a fifth booking of the season on Sunday. The Hornets are assessing several others players but remain without Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Jose Holebas, Sebastian Prodl and Daryl Janmaat.
Man United vs Newcastle United
Old Trafford, Manchester
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @8:30pm
Ref: Kevin Friend
Paul Pogba may start for Manchester United after making his return from injury as a substitute against Watford. Diogo Dalot is another available option but Eric Bailly, Angel Gomes and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are still missing.
Newcastle United are expected to be without Paul Dummett because of a groin injury but Jetro Willems has returned to training and may feature. Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie and Ki Sung-Yeung all remain out for the Magpies. Steve Bruce has intimated Andy Carroll will not play the full festive programme so he could be rested.
Newcastle are looking to complete the league double over Manchester United for the first time since the 1930-31 season. Manchester United have been beaten by the Magpies in two of their past four matches, winning the other two encounters. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 34 top-flight home games versus Newcastle (W24, D9). Newcastle’s last three wins over Manchester United all ended 1-0, including October’s reverse fixture.
Manchester United’s defeat at Watford on Sunday was their first loss in seven league matches (W3, D3). The Red Devils are on a Premier League club record run of 13 matches without a clean sheet. They have won just one of their last 17 league matches when they’ve enjoyed more possession than their opponents (D8, L8). Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are five points worse off than at this stage last season. They have scored at least once in all nine home league games this term. Manchester United have won 20 Premier League games on Boxing Day, more than any other side.
Leicester City vs Liverpool
King Power Stadium, Leicestershire
Saturday, 26-12-2019 @11pm
Ref: Michael Oliver
Leicester have lost four of their last five Premier League meetings with Liverpool, drawing the other, with their most recent victory a 3-1 win in February 2017. Liverpool could win three consecutive top-flight away matches versus Leicester for the first time.
Leicester are unbeaten in 11 home matches in all competitions (W8, D3), since a 1-0 loss to Newcastle in April. Against Manchester City, the Foxes conceded three goals in a Premier League game for the first time since February. Before that defeat, Leicester had won all nine league fixtures in which they scored first this season. Leicester haven’t lost back-to-back league games since their final three matches under Claude Puel in February. Jamie Vardy has scored 29 Premier League goals in 2019 – six more than his nearest rival (Sadio Mane, with 23). Vardy has scored five goals in his last three home games against the Reds, while his total of seven Premier League goals against Liverpool is bettered only by Andrew Cole and Thierry Henry, who netted 11 and eight respectively.
Liverpool could win five successive Boxing Day Premier League matches for the first time, having triumphed in the previous four by an aggregate score of 11-0. The Reds have won 29 Premier League games in 2019. They have only once managed more victories in a calendar year, recording 33 in 1982. Liverpool are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. In English top-flight history, the only side to be at least 10 points clear at Christmas and not win the title were Newcastle United in 1995-96. Liverpool have won 25 of their last 26 Premier League matches (drawing the other), including 16 of 17 this season. They are unbeaten in 34 league fixtures (W29, D5). The Merseysiders have scored two or more goals in 23 of the last 26 league fixtures. The Reds are the only side to have scored in all 17 Premier League games this season.
Leicester will assess winger Harvey Barnes, who suffered an ankle problem against Manchester City.Midfielder Matty James, who has not featured since January because of an Achilles injury, is back in training but not yet available.
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out after damaging ankle ligaments at the Fifa Club World Cup. Fabinho, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip all remain out.
Friday’s fixture
–Wolves vs Man City @10:45pm