The English Premier League plays a lot over the Christmas break but remember that they’re going to take their break early in the New Year. Following two games on January 3rd, the league will be on a break for nine days and then the schedule resumes on January 12th and 13th. It has been a very intriguing start to the season with Chelsea being one of the main headlines. Last season, the Blues were incredibly dominant as they led the season from start to finish. It was one of the most impressive seasons in EPL history. However, this year has been a completely different story. They’ve completely flopped and were even flirting with the relegation zone at the Christmas break – if you can believe that. As a result, their nightmarish start has cost Jose Mourinho his job – something that was simply unfathomable last year. However, he’s gone and the Blues are trying to pick up the piece. While that’s been one of the main storylines we’ve seen this season, the other has been the incredible goal scoring of Jamie Vardy and the impressive ascent up the standings by Leicester City. Focusing on this week’s action, there is a full slate of games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and here is a look at three to watch.
Risky Manchester United Heads To Newcastle
United sits in fifth after a 2-1 win at home over Swansea City, and while it was labeled a risk by their manager, it was also the best game that they played in a long time. Their 24 goals scored in 20 games is by far the least among the top six teams, and United needs to score because the defense is slipping. Newcastle is 18th after a 1-0 loss at Arsenal, and they haven’t scored a goal in three league matches. Luckily, they’re at home, where Newcastle has an even goal differential; it is -16 on the road.
United has three wins and a draw against Newcastle in their last five meetings, with the two drawing 0-0 in Manchester in August.
For more previews on all of the EPL games this week, tune in to Premier Punditry to hear them break down the games or visit Premier Punditry.
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Leicester City, Tottenham Could Be A Barnburner
This will be the second consecutive meeting for these two as they face off at White Hart Lane on Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup. Leicester has back-to-back draws at home against Manchester City and Bournemouth, and while they’re still in second, there are some that believe they’re running out of gas. Spurs drew 1-1 at Everton in a highly entertaining match, and they lead the EPL in goals allowed with 16. Leicester have scored 37, second to Manchester City, and 21 away from home. This could be the best game of the 20th round.
Spurs have two wins and a draw in their last four meetings with Leicester, who beat Spurs 2-1 on the road in the fourth round of the FA Cup last season.
Leaders Arsenal Travel To Liverpool
The big-game matchup of the 20th round comes from London, where Arsenal is atop the table after their tough win at Newcastle. The Gunners have just one loss in their last nine overall and they’re tied with Leicester for the EPL lead in away wins with six. Liverpool fell 2-0 at West Ham and they’ve been inconsistent lately, racking up two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five. Fatigue might be a factor in this game as Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 in the first leg of the Capitol One Cup semifinal on Tuesday, then they’re off to Exeter for the FA Cup on Sunday. Arsenal gets Sunderland at home in the FA Cup on Saturday, so it’ll be a battle of squad rotation for the Gunners as well.
Arsenal has three wins and two draws in their last six meetings with Liverpool, and the two drew 0-0 in London in August. That was the first scoreless draw between the two since back-to-back games in 1998 and 1999.
