Okay, first the review and now a preview within 24 hours of each other! Expect more of the same as postponed games get squeezed in (assuming Covid magically disappears in 2022, which is what the UK Gov’s strategy seems to be based on at minute…).
I’m still traumatised by dropping off first place in the MicroNations League – even if it is just by a point – so lets get on with preview – as always, dates and times are GMT.
Tuesday 28th December
Arsenal 12:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Match postponed
Crystal Palace 15:00 Norwich City
The first game of the day kicks off at 3pm and features 12th place Crystal Palace and Norwich City who are in 20th. Palace are on a poor run of form and are missing the suspended Zaha. Norwich have lost their last four games and the new manager bounce failed to materialise.
Southampton 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur
The second of the 3pm games is Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton won away from home against West Ham last time out and have been regularly picking up points. Spurs are in 5th and have only dropped a couple of points in their last five matches. Kane blew some doors off at the weekend, as did Moura and Son.
Watford 15:00 West Ham United
The last of the 3 0'clock matches is Watford against West Ham United at Vicarage Road. Watford's last three games have all been postponed so will they be rested or rusty? The Hammers are on a poor run at the moment, losing their last two and slipping to 6th. Antonio returned and scored at the weekend. Rice banned.
Leeds United 17:30 Aston Villa
Match postponed
Leicester City 20:00 Liverpool
Tuesday's late game features Leicester City and Liverpool. The Foxes lost 6-3 to City last time out but put up a bit of a fight towards the end. Maddison in fine form. Barnes out. Liverpool game was postponed at the weekend so they should be rested for this one. Make the most of Salah before he goes to the AFCON. Robertson banned.
Wednesday 29th December
Chelsea 19:30 Brighton & Hove Albion
First up sees Chelsea take on Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea's defence has become porous of late but they are still 3rd. Lukaku got a goal last time out. Thiago Silva injured. Brighton finally recorded a win, beating Brentford last time out. Maupay may be going under the radar. Trossard has a knock.
Brentford 20:15 Manchester City
Wednesday's late match is Brentford v Manchester City. The Bees lie in 13th place and seem to like playing the big boys. Rico Henry and Mbeumo injured, Norgaard suspended. Man City are top and clear of second place Liverpool. Mahrez is in good form but AFCON bound. Bernardo Silva has gone off the boil but appears immune to Pep roulette.
Thursday 30th December
Everton 19:30 Newcastle United
Two Thursday games in a single flange, the early game features Everton and Newcastle United. The Toffees are in 15th place and missed their last two games through Covid. Calvert-Lewin should be fit for this one. Newcastle drew against Man Utd last time out but Wilson and St Max both came off injured.
Manchester United 20:15 Burnley
And finally at 8:15pm, Manchester United versus Burnley at Old Trafford. Cavani rescued a point for the Red Devils last time out, Raggy will expect a better performance today. Fernandes banned for one match for his yellow card collection. Burnley have had their last three games postponed due to Covid but hopefully Ch Wood has finally had a rest after his Olympic efforts during the summer. Cornet out.
So there you go, a busy week, expect to see some key players rested but maybe time for some of your cheaper players to shine… after an eventful start to the week let’s see how it ends!!!
I’m still traumatised by dropping off first place in the MicroNations League – even if it is just by a point – so lets get on with preview – as always, dates and times are GMT.
Tuesday 28th December
Arsenal 12:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Match postponed
Crystal Palace 15:00 Norwich City
The first game of the day kicks off at 3pm and features 12th place Crystal Palace and Norwich City who are in 20th. Palace are on a poor run of form and are missing the suspended Zaha. Norwich have lost their last four games and the new manager bounce failed to materialise.
Southampton 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur
The second of the 3pm games is Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton won away from home against West Ham last time out and have been regularly picking up points. Spurs are in 5th and have only dropped a couple of points in their last five matches. Kane blew some doors off at the weekend, as did Moura and Son.
Watford 15:00 West Ham United
The last of the 3 0'clock matches is Watford against West Ham United at Vicarage Road. Watford's last three games have all been postponed so will they be rested or rusty? The Hammers are on a poor run at the moment, losing their last two and slipping to 6th. Antonio returned and scored at the weekend. Rice banned.
Leeds United 17:30 Aston Villa
Match postponed
Leicester City 20:00 Liverpool
Tuesday's late game features Leicester City and Liverpool. The Foxes lost 6-3 to City last time out but put up a bit of a fight towards the end. Maddison in fine form. Barnes out. Liverpool game was postponed at the weekend so they should be rested for this one. Make the most of Salah before he goes to the AFCON. Robertson banned.
Wednesday 29th December
Chelsea 19:30 Brighton & Hove Albion
First up sees Chelsea take on Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea's defence has become porous of late but they are still 3rd. Lukaku got a goal last time out. Thiago Silva injured. Brighton finally recorded a win, beating Brentford last time out. Maupay may be going under the radar. Trossard has a knock.
Brentford 20:15 Manchester City
Wednesday's late match is Brentford v Manchester City. The Bees lie in 13th place and seem to like playing the big boys. Rico Henry and Mbeumo injured, Norgaard suspended. Man City are top and clear of second place Liverpool. Mahrez is in good form but AFCON bound. Bernardo Silva has gone off the boil but appears immune to Pep roulette.
Thursday 30th December
Everton 19:30 Newcastle United
Two Thursday games in a single flange, the early game features Everton and Newcastle United. The Toffees are in 15th place and missed their last two games through Covid. Calvert-Lewin should be fit for this one. Newcastle drew against Man Utd last time out but Wilson and St Max both came off injured.
Manchester United 20:15 Burnley
And finally at 8:15pm, Manchester United versus Burnley at Old Trafford. Cavani rescued a point for the Red Devils last time out, Raggy will expect a better performance today. Fernandes banned for one match for his yellow card collection. Burnley have had their last three games postponed due to Covid but hopefully Ch Wood has finally had a rest after his Olympic efforts during the summer. Cornet out.
So there you go, a busy week, expect to see some key players rested but maybe time for some of your cheaper players to shine… after an eventful start to the week let’s see how it ends!!!