Before we begin to get all festive, it’s time for another set of football games in the most exciting league in the world.
The destination of the top prize may be all but determined – even at this early stage – but there is so much to play for.
Live betting has never been so much fun!
WEEK 18 SATURDAY:
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace
The personal satisfaction Claude Puel must have gained from winning at Southampton in midweek would have been immense – yet he was very gracious in victory.
After his new club took apart the club which so ruthlessly dismissed him in the summer, Puel has the Foxes up to eighth and playing some attractive attacking football.
Palace are another side on the up under a new boss, Roy Hodgson, and will be flying high after their dramatic last-gasp turnaround against 10-man Watford in midweek.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United
Arsenal haven’t won a league game in December and find themselves in seventh.
Yet they are only a point from fourth place and will surely end their mini barren run as they host the Toon.
Newcastle quickly need the future of the club determined and, ideally for their fans, a new owner willing to give boss Rafa Benitez funds in January.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Burnley
Brighton were game at Wembley against Spurs, frustrating them for long spells and competing until late on.
Yet it doesn’t alter the fact they are now five games without a win and only three points clear of safety.
This will be a close contest, even though Burnley are in the heady heights of sixth place and are enjoying a renaissance under the underrated Sean Dyche.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea are in third place and have been a bit Jekyll n’ Hyde of late.
That inconsistency clearly frustrates manager Antonio Conte and is the opposite to what his side were achieving during most of their title-winning campaign.
Southampton are equally inconsistent and were outclassed by Leicester only days after pushing Arsenal all the way.
Stoke City vs West Ham United
Two managers who have enjoyed and endured (depending on who you are) starkly contrasting weeks.
If reports are to be believed, Mark Hughes is on the verge of losing his job, while David Moyes has begun to make some real progress with the Hammers.
This could be frenetic and feisty between two teams under similar degrees of pressure.
Watford FC vs Huddersfield Town
Watford manager Marco Silva has had a rough week.
His side were minutes from winning at Crystal Palace until a late sending-off completely turned the match around.
Three days earlier, his side had a man dismissed before the break and went down to a solitary goal at Burnley.
As the Hornets bid for a top-10 finish, mid-table Huddersfield would be just thrilled to stay where they are under the guidance of their own impressive boss, David Wagner.
WEEK 18 SUNDAY:
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
If you enjoy attacking football, don’t take your eyes off this one.
After sealing a record 15th Premier League win in a row, runaway leaders City welcome Spurs to town.
The North Londoners are back in the top four (on goal difference) and playing with a swagger of their own.
West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester United
After going down at Swansea, even the most optimistic West Brom fan would not have fancied gaining anything from a trip to Anfield.
Yet for the second time in three seasons, that is what the Baggies got.
Now they welcome Man Utd to the Hawthorns with new manager Alan Pardew, hoping they can become more of an attacking threat without sacrificing the defensive resilience shown in midweek.
WEEK 18 MONDAY:
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
This was one of the matches of the year last season.
Liverpool were 3-1 up and cruising until the Cherries’ fine comeback.
In what is bound to be an end-to-end contest, can lightning strike twice?
WEEK 18 TUESDAY:
Everton vs Swansea City
The Sam Allardyce effect has been well documented.
How Paul Clement could do with a fresh dose?
His initial arrival helped Swansea survive last season and they need to recapture that belief and spirit.
Clement also knows they must spend in the January transfer window if they are to maintain their Premier League status.
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