{"id":2651,"date":"2016-12-22T16:36:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-22T21:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=2651"},"modified":"2016-12-23T15:35:53","modified_gmt":"2016-12-23T20:35:53","slug":"premier-league-boxing-day-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/12\/22\/premier-league-boxing-day-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier League Boxing Day Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the great traditions in English football, Boxing Day<\/strong> will see fixtures played around the country across various levels on Monday. While players may not always be particularly pleased this time of year<\/a>, fans and supporters certainly have much to look forward to.<\/p>\n

The holiday period brings an intense test of fitness for any club and the Premier League<\/strong> is no exception.<\/p>\n

We take a look at the Boxing Day matches set for December 26th.<\/p>\n

Watford vs. Crystal Palace \u2013 Vicarage Road<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The early match on Monday sees Crystal Palace<\/strong> travel to Watford<\/strong> desperately seeking to improve recent results. Palace manager Alan Pardew<\/strong> was relieved of his duties on Thursday<\/a>, leaving little time for the club to prepare for\u00a0a new chapter ahead. The Eagles have lost their last two consecutive league matches and sit only a point above the relegation zone.<\/p>\n

Watford have suffered the same fate as of late, most recently a 1-0 loss at Sunderland<\/a>. Unable to keep a clean sheet in their past seven matches, manager Walter Mazzarri<\/strong> will want to see better performances from his defence and midfield.<\/p>\n

Look for Mazzarri to utilise five defenders on the back-line in an effort to contain Palace striker Christian Benteke<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Manchester United vs. Sunderland \u2013 Old Trafford<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After difficulties earlier in the season, Manchester United<\/strong> have begun to display a strong determination and solid squad cohesion. Manager Jose Mourinho\u2019s<\/strong> side are unbeaten in their last ten matches across all competitions.<\/p>\n

Hosting former boss David Moyes<\/strong> and Sunderland<\/strong> should see positive results continue.<\/p>\n

Talented forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic<\/strong> has adjusted well to life in the Premier League, scoring both goals in United\u2019s 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion\u00a0<\/strong>this past Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Swansea City vs. West Ham United \u2013 Liberty Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

West Ham United<\/strong> are rebounding nicely from a disappointing start to the campaign and look to earn maximum points when they visit Swansea City<\/strong> on Monday. The Hammers have won their last two consecutive league matches.<\/p>\n

West Ham supporters will be pleased to see midfielder Dimitri Payet<\/strong> beginning to show flashes of what he was capable of last season. Payet and an organised defence were key components to West Ham\u2019s 1-0 victory over Hull City<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Swansea City and manager Bob Bradley<\/strong> know that home form will likely dictate their fate as they battle to move above the relegation places.<\/p>\n

Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth \u2013 Stamford Bridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First-place Chelsea<\/strong> look to continue their incredible Premier League winning streak when they host Bournemouth<\/strong>. The Blues have won an astounding 11 consecutive matches and hold a six-point lead over second-place Liverpool<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Manager Antonio Conte\u2019s<\/strong> switch to a 3-4-3 formation has been nothing short of brilliant. Chelsea have kept nine clean sheets during the past 11 matches and striker Diego Costa<\/strong> <\/a>leads the Premier League in goals scored (13).<\/p>\n

Bournemouth defenders Steve Cook<\/strong> and Simon Francis<\/strong> will need to be at their best to contain the Chelsea attack and keep the match in front of them.<\/p>\n

Leicester City vs. Everton \u2013 King Power Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Premier League title-holders Leicester City<\/strong> host Everton<\/strong>, as dropped points throughout the campaign are piling up for the Foxes. Leicester have won only four matches out of 17 in the Premier League this season.<\/p>\n

The squad is still capable of the spectacular, as evidenced by Jamie Vardy\u2019s<\/strong> sensational hat-trick against Manchester City<\/strong><\/a> earlier this month. But an inconsistent attack and troubles on the defensive end are undermining their success.<\/p>\n

Manager Claudio Ranieri<\/strong> will need to modify his tactics to account for Everton\u2019s Romelu Lukaku<\/strong> in an effort to earn three points on Boxing Day.<\/p>\n

Burnley vs. Middlesbrough \u2013 Turf Moor<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two clubs dealing with similar issues meet at Turf Moor<\/strong> on Monday, as Burnley<\/strong> host Middlesbrough<\/strong>. Both newly-promoted sides are struggling to score goals in the 2015-16 season.<\/p>\n

Boro\u2019s 3-0 victory against Swansea <\/a>was certainly a step in the right direction and the club will want the trend to continue moving ahead.<\/p>\n

The Clarets\u2019 work rate and defensive positioning are always stellar, but manager Sean Dyche<\/strong> will need strikers Andre Gray<\/strong> and Sam Vokes<\/strong> to be effective at breaking down a stern Boro back-line.<\/p>\n

With points at a premium for both sides, this match could be looked back upon as crucial for Burnley and Middlesbrough later in the season.<\/p>\n

Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion \u2013 Emirates Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Arsenal<\/strong> were riding high last week heading into their match at Everton. But a frustrating 2-1 loss<\/a> was followed by the same result at Manchester City<\/a>, as manager Arsene Wenger<\/strong> will hope that a return to the Emirates<\/strong> will return their form as well.<\/p>\n

The Gunners\u2019 attack had been one of their strength\u2019s during a 14-match league unbeaten streak, but Alexis Sanchez<\/strong> and Mesut Ozil<\/strong> were not able to dominate play in the past two matches as they have previously.<\/p>\n

Manager Tony Pulis<\/strong> brings a physical and straight-forward approach to North London with his West Brom side. Arsenal will need to be prepared to control the tempo early and set the tone for the proceedings.<\/p>\n

Hull City vs. Manchester City \u2013 KCOM Stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pep Guardiola<\/strong> prepares for his first Boxing Day in the Premier League, as Manchester City visit Hull City in the late match of the holiday fixtures. City have secured victories <\/a>in their past two league matches.<\/p>\n

The start of December was not kind, with a 3-1 loss to Chelsea <\/a>followed by the Vardy Party\u2019s exploits in a loss at Leicester. But with Yaya Toure\u2019s<\/strong> return to the line-up and fantastic play out of the midfield, City will be favoured heavily to defeat the Tigers.<\/p>\n

Manchester City are one point back of second-place Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Expect Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong> and Raheem Sterling<\/strong> to continue their sparkling form against a Hull side looking up at everyone from the bottom of the table.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n