Premier League action continues after the holidays on the 27th when City host Everton at the Etihad. A quick two-day match week is done and dusted by Saturday morning before we start up again on the 30th.
It’s going to be all go for 36 hour period of festive football, so let’s make the most of it.
Man City are struggling with just about everything at the moment. It still feels as though their run of terrible form has to come to an end but nothing is changing.
Even so, this is a game they should win. Everton have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games. Last time they ventured to Manchester they were pumped 4-0 by United.
This week might see a similar fate and a chance for City to get back into goalscoring form.
Newcastle seem to hitting some form and striker Alexander Isak seems unstoppable.
Aston Villa looked very comfortable in their win over Man City so this one seems like a tough one to pick.
Manger Unai Emery has the dream headache for managers, deciding who to start up front. Both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Durran have been providing the goods.
This would be a fascinating watch for anyone getting up to watch it. It’s clear Spurs manager, Postecoglou won’t be changing his style despite missing some key players.
Nottingham Forest have been in great from and defensively been able to soak up most of the pressure that comes their way.
Both these sides have goals in them and after watching a 6-3 scoreline in Spurs last outing I think it’s safe to say we might get a flurry of goals in this fixture as well.
There hasn’t been much Christmas cheer for Southampton but they did keep a clean sheet last week and their new manager Ivan Juric would be happy to start things with a draw.
West Ham are still struggling to find consistency despite having some quality players.
I think the most logical way about this one is a draw considering we don’t know what we are going to get out of either managers.
Fulham have been doing a lot of good this year and have been taking points from title contending teams almost every other week it seems.
Marco Silva has the Cottagers in a good spot heading into the new year. The worry is their record at Stamford Bridge, having not won there since 1979.
Last week’s goalless draw with Everton was Chelsea’s first time not scoring since the opening weekend. We took an under on Chelsea last week, it worked, so let’s do it again.
Before losing to Arsenal twice last week, Crystal Palace looked like they were on the up.
Unfortunately for them, Bournemouth have been on fire as Man United found out last week.
Bournemouth are creating loads of chances and bagging them as well. Let’s not overthink this one.
Last week’s 3-0 loss to the Cherries was unexpected to say the least, I liked the Cherries but I didn’t think they’d put three on United while keeping a clean sheet.
Looking at their side it’s hard to back them to beat Wolves this week, for similar reasons to last week.
Liverpool are not stopping, nearly in double digits for chances created against Spurs and six goals to go along with it.
Leicester have been leaking chances left, right and centre so heading to Anfield this week seems like a daunting task.
Liverpool’s attacking power will be too much for the Foxes to handle.
Brighton have been a bit ‘Spursy’ of late, they should have beaten West Ham last week but you can’t say the same against Brentford this week.
The Bees have looked dangerous when playing at home but terrible on the road.
I’m expecting goals in this game because the Seagulls have leaking them, but I do think because of Brentford’s terrible away from, the home side should edge this one out.
Ipswich suffered a big blow to their confidence losing 4-0 to Newcastle last time out. They missed the suspended Liam Delap, he is back this week but I don’t think it will make much of a difference.
Arsenal will be loving seeing Gabriel Jesus back in the goals but they’re going to miss Bukayo Saka for the next couple of weeks.
If Arsenal turn up, and they should, there should be no contest.