Four of Europe’s big-five leagues are off for the holiday this weekend, leaving the English Premier League in the spotlight on Boxing Day.
Manchester United come into Saturday’ road clash with 11th place Stoke City in desperate need of three points. Manager Louis Van Gaal and his fifth place United side come into the weekend losers of three straight and haven’t recorded a win in six consecutive games across all competitions.
With a report coming out on Tuesday stating that Van Gaal may only have two more games to prove himself, the Dutchman could very well be gone before the New Year. Following its meeting with Stoke, Manchester United will host Chelsea on Monday.
Boxing Day will see all 20 Premier League sides in action with a battle over at Anfield taking center stage when Liverpool hosts surprise league leaders Leicester City. The Foxes come into the fixture two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table, while Liverpool currently sits ninth and 14 points off the lead.
Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s action from the English Premier League:
ENGLAND
There are plenty of Premier League matches to go around over the next holiday period, none bigger than Tuesday’s clash between top-three sides Leicester City and Manchester City. The Citizens benefit from taking on relegation zone occupants Sunderland on Boxing Day prior to the huge meeting.
Leicester comes into the weekend unbeaten in seven matches, although Claudio Ranieri’s side hasn’t lost a game in regulation since all the way back on September 26 against Arsenal. The Foxes are hot to say the least, led by attacking duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez who have combined for 28 goals in 2015. Vardy currently leads the Premier League Golden Boot race with 15 finishes on his own.
With leaders Leicester facing stiff competition on Tuesday, second place Arsenal could be in prime position to nab the Premier League lead by the end of the long weekend. The Gunners, the only EPL side to defeat the Foxes in 2015, will travel to Southampton on Saturday before heading home to host AFC Bournemouth two days later. Arsene Wenger’s side won’t meet Leicester again until February.
SATURDAY
Stoke City vs. Manchester United
AFC Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace
Aston Villa vs. West Ham United
Chelsea vs. Watford
Liverpool vs. Leicester City
Manchester City vs. Sunderland
Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City
Newcastle United vs. Everton
Southampton vs. Arsenal
MONDAY
Crystal Palace vs. Swansea City
Everton vs. Stoke City
Norwich City vs. Aston Villa
Watford vs. Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion vs. Newcastle United
Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
West Ham United vs. Southampton
WEDNESDAY
Leicester City vs. Manchester City
THURSDAY
Sunderland vs. Liverpool
So, Van Gaal you got rid of most of the Hispanic players because of your arrogance. Now you are choking on your own vomit. Van Gaal choke away, I want you gone. You’re like a Klinsmann in my life. Ive been Manu fan since birth. I can’t watch this Team anymore.
Why can’t I see reader comments at the bottom of the page now? I am less likely to keep SBI as one of my primary sports blogs if comments have been removed or are hard to find.
It takes longrr to close out all the ads than to read the comments these days anyway. ..