EPL BOXING DAY’ FIXTURES

Its Christmas and a holiday season for some professional footballers, sports men and women but not the same for players and teams in the English Premier League. No eating like the rest of us, training on Christmas day as well.

It’s our first opportunity to see the Arsenal and Everton new managers in action and 30 games to be played between 26^th Dec. 2019 – 2^nd Jan. 2020. Both watched their teams 0-0 draw from the stands. Both Everton’s Carlo Ancelloti and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta have a huge task ahead of them.

Elsewhere, Man United and Tottenham are in need of rebound performances after both suffered disappointing 2-0 losses over the weekend. Man United was abysmal at a Watford side sitting in last place, while Tottenham fell short at home to Chelsea in a Jose Mourinho-Frank Lampard showdown that was overshadowed by the latest alleged incidents of fan racism.Spurs fans directing abuse towards Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger. We’ve already seen reactions and I’m sure we’ll see more fall out over the coming days. It’s another opportunity for education of the culprits and strong action from clubs. Racism is unacceptable in any walk of life, not just sport.

Leicester-Liverpool is the obvious headliner, a match between the top two teams in the table and one of the few genuine threats to Liverpool's Invincible season. The Reds could be ripe for the picking, after their travels to Qatar for a successful run at the Club World Cup are followed by one of their most challenging road matches this season. 

The extra spice is provided by current Leicester manager and former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who has re-molded the Foxes into a genuine top side in England. If they're to have any thoughts of mounting another title challenge, though, they'll need a win, as Liverpool is 10 points clear with a game in hand. Even a loss, considering Liverpool's overall form and sustainability, wouldn't be catastrophic for the leaders and would remove the sometimes overwhelming pressure that accompanies going for an unbeaten season.

 Boxing Day (Thursday, Dec. 26)

1:30 pm. - Tottenham vs. Brighton

4 pm. - Bournemouth vs. Arsenal

4 pm. - Aston Villa vs. Norwich City

4.pm. - Chelsea vs. Southampton

4.pm. - Crystal Palace vs. West Ham

4.pm. - Everton vs. Burnley

4.pm. - Sheffield United vs. Watford

4.pm. -  Manchester United vs. Newcastle

9.pm. - Leicester City vs. Liverpool

8:45. p.m. – Wolves vs. Man. City (Friday, Dec. 27)

Last Weekend of the Year (Sat. Dec 28-Sun. Dec 29)

1:30 p.m. - Brighton vs. Bournemouth

4.pm. - Newcastle vs. Everton

4.pm. - Southampton vs. Crystal Palace

4.pm. - Watford vs. Aston Villa

5:30 p.m. - Norwich vs. Tottenham

5:30 p.m. - West Ham vs. Leicester City

8:45 p.m. - Burnley vs. Man United

Sun., 3 p.m. - Arsenal vs. Chelsea

Sun., 5:30 p.m. - Liverpool vs. Wolves

Sun., 7 p.m. - Manchester City vs. Sheffield United

New Year's Day (Jan. 1^st 2020)

1:30 p.m. - Brighton vs. Chelsea

1:30 p.m. - Burnley vs. Aston Villa

4.pm. - Newcastle vs. Leicester City

4.pm. - Southampton vs. Tottenham

4.pm. - Watford vs. Wolves

6:30 p.m. - Manchester City vs. Everton

6:30 p.m. - Norwich City vs. Crystal Palace

6:30 p.m. - West Ham vs. Bournemouth

9. p.m. - Arsenal vs. Manchester United

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