The Boxing Day football fixtures that approach this Christmas are going to be some of the most fiercely competed fixtures all season. With the Premier League title on the line at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, Liverpool could see their 30-year wait for the English Premier League virtually ended in the Midlands with victory.
Elsewhere, which United will be celebrating victory at Old Trafford where former United greats Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Steve Bruce meet? Who else will be gathering in the football present every manager wants under their tree—three vital points?
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United (26th December, 5:30pm)
While Manchester United have disappointed their fans with a haul of 25 points, Newcastle have delighted their followers with the acquisition of exactly the same. Such as the vagaries of football fans that these two giants of the English game in terms of fanbases meet when next to each other in the table, albeit 7 places lower than they did when they battled for the Premier League title back in 1996.
While Steve Bruce’s reign has been a pleasant surprise in the North-East, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time of office has just gone past the year mark with the jury having permanently been out. Solskaer’s team have beaten Manchester City away from home, trounced Chelsea 4-0 and outplayed Liverpool in the league this season. Sadly for them, however, the Red Devils have lost at Watford, Bournemouth and Newcastle.
While this fixture may see Paul Pogba back in action, and Newcastle are still missing Jamaal Lascelles, the Toon Army will be in full voice and could well pose a problem to their hosts. United in red will need to press for the win, leaving them vulnerable to the counter-attack. It’s highly likely there’ll be massive drama in this game.
Leicester vs. Liverpool (26th December, 8pm GMT kick-off)
Brendan Rodgers will be going for the Liverpool jugular as Leicester pitch up at the last chance saloon in terms of their slim title hopes.
After losing at home to Manchester City, Rodgers saw his side beaten despite leading through Jamie Vardy. If Leicester are to beat Liverpool, then they’ll need to be absolutely flawless, scoring from their chances and denying Liverpool in their attacks.
Sadio Mane did the damage in the reverse fixture at Anfield where he won a last-minute penalty that looked debatable and was certainly preventable. Will it be repeat or revenge? The English Premier League may be over as a contest if it is the latter.
Liverpool have returned from the Club World Cup with the trophy and apart from an annoying injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, are in good health and high spirits, having seen their 10-point lead preserved in their absence, only gaining a game in hand while they flew to Dubai and back.
A Christmas present will be won at the King Power Stadium, either for Liverpool or fans of any other clubs. The title is on a knife-edge which is tilted towards Merseyside.
EPL Gameweek #19 Fixtures:
Thursday 26th December
Tottenham vs. Brighton (12.30pm GMT kick-off)
Everton vs. Burnley (3pm GMT kick-off)
Sheff Utd vs. Watford (3pm GMT kick-off)
Aston Villa vs. Norwich (3pm GMT kick-off)
Bournemouth vs. Arsenal (3pm GMT kick-off)
Chelsea vs. Southampton (3pm GMT kick-off)
Crystal Palace vs. West Ham (3pm GMT kick-off)
Man Utd vs. Newcastle (5.30pm GMT kick-off)
Leicester vs. Liverpool (8pm GMT kick-off)
Friday 27th December
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City (7.45pm GMT kick-off)
