While every league in Europe takes a break, in England Christmas means more football, not less. The Premier League goes into their usual end of year marathon, playing four league matches in under two weeks. If you’re planning on a Christmas vacation that doesn’t involve ski but prefer more Urban thrills and plenty of goals, London and England are the place for you.
Manchester City, the league leaders, play at home against Stoke and Liverpool, away against Sunderland and WBA. Manchester United have home matches against Wigan and Blackburn, away at Newcastle and Fulham. Easy home matches, tricky away.
Tuesday, December 20
Wolverhampton vs Norwich – Seeing that Wolves at 17th have drawn only once this season at home, while Norwich have won only once away from home, I’ll give this one to Mick McCarthy and his lads.
Blackburn vs Bolton – The two worst teams in the Premier League this season will likely end this one in a draw. Blackburn have yet to win away from Ewood Park this season, Bolton have one win and seven losses this season at home.
Wednesday, December 21
Aston Villa vs Arsenal – Villa looked terrible against Liverpool and Arsenal, despite the defeat to Manchester City, are on the right direction. Away win for Wenger.
Manchester City vs Stoke – Home win, next.
Newcastle vs WBA – Newcastle have now hit that part of the season when statistics even out. The great start was bound to end, and Newcastle are struggling against teams like Swansea now. Draw.
Everton vs Swansea – Everton are struggling everywhere while Swansea haven’t won away from Wales this season. A hard earned Toffee’s win.
Fulham vs Manchester United – Fulham are on fire right now, climbing to 11th. United, as usual, aren’t impressing, but winning. I’ve got a feeling they drop points at Craven Cottage.
QPR vs Sunderland – QPR are terrible at home, Sunderland are terrible away from home. Anything can happen, and a 0-0 draw looks very likely.
Wigan vs Liverpool – Wigan are a weak team, but Chelsea usually bring the best out of them at the DW. Liverpool will do a little better and keep on winning.
Thursday, December 22
Tottenham vs Chelsea – A big test for both sides, as AVB needs a big win over a team still in the title race. Tottenham need to keep pace with the Manchester teams, and their only loss this season at home came against Manchester City. The rest? All wins. I’ll take Spurs.
Monday, December 26
Four days of rest for some, a bit more for the rest, and it’s on to Boxing day, and the real hectic part of the season.
Chelsea vs Fulham, Arsenal vs Wolves, Bolton vs Newcastle, Liverpool vs Blackburn, Manchester United vs Wigan, Sunderland vs Everton, WBA vs Manchester City, Stoke vs Aston Villa.
Tuesday, December 27
Swansea vs QPR, Norwich vs Tottenham.
Friday, December 30
Liverpool vs Newcastle – Always a special encounter, with Newcastle usually losing. The two 4-3 classics from over a decade ago are still regarded as two of the greatest Premier League matches ever.
Saturday, December 31
Who will have a reason to smile in their New Year’s party.
Manchester United vs Blackburn, Arsenal vs QPR, Bolton vs Wolves, Chelsea vs Aston Villa, Norwich vs Fulham, Stoke vs Wigan, Swansea vs Tottenham.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Who’ll look like he drank too much the previous night? The first matches of 2012, has to count for something.
WBA vs Everton, Sunderland vs Manchester City.
Monday, January 2
Aston Villa vs Swansea, Blackburn vs Stoke, QPR vs Norwich, Wolves vs Chelsea, Fulham vs Arsenal.
Tuesday, January 3
Tottenham vs WBA, Wigan vs Sunderland, Manchester City vs Liverpool. A huge game, with City boasting %100 in their home matches.
Wednesday, January 4
Everton vs Bolton, Newcastle vs Manchester United.