The last round of the first half of the 2015-16 season has some interesting matches that can have a big impact on the Premier League table that has seen more twists than a Hollywood thriller. This round of fixtures also promises to produce plenty of entertainment right at the fag end of the year.
Theses fixtures come just a day after the Boxing Day and can create loads of problems for the managers and the teams. Here are 10 things we to look forward to in the Match Day 19.
1. A virtual six pointer at Carrow Road:
Aston Villa have just one victory to their name and are at the bottom of the pile in the Premier League points table. They will face a crunch tie against the Canaries away from home as Remi Garde looks for his first victory in the Premier League. Both teams are close to relegation which makes this game all the more interesting.
2. Important game for Steve McClaren:
Newcastle United are 18th in the Premier League table with just 17 point from 18 games. They are not really in a comfortable position and need some victories under their belt to save a scrapping relegation battle at the end of the season. They will face the Baggies who are just two bad results away from the same fate.
3. A Proper Mid-Table battle:
Everton who were beaten by Leicester City came back strongly on Boxing Day to clinch all three points against Newcastle United. They will face a Stoke side who are high off a victory against Manchester United in their last game. Both clubs will be hoping to take all three points at It can get them closer to the European spots in the top of half of the table.
4. Can Palace keep up their dream run?:
Alan Pardew’s side have taken full advantage of this season’s un-predictability and have strung a series of consistent results that sees them just 2 point away from Champions League spots half way into the season. They will hope to keep up their good form when they face Swansea City who just scrapped it through against the Baggies in the last game.
5. Pochettino has a real test:
Sanchez Flores has done some excellent work with Watford City who are in the top half of the table going into the New Year. They have had some good results recently against Liverpool and Chelsea and will hope to keep up their good work against Tottenham Hotspur when the two sides meet on Monday in the Premier League.
6. Can Arsenal bounce back? :
Arsenal were dealt a blow on Boxing Day as they were defeated 4-0 against Southampton. They lost a chance to go to the top of the table and will hope to bounce back when they face the Cherries on Monday. Eddie Howe’s side have looked hard to break down in recent times and will surely take Arsenal to the edge in this game.
7. Fixture of the season?
Chelsea and Manchester Untied have struggled for form this season and are staring at the wrong end of the point table. United are now without a win in 6 games in the league while Chelsea are yet to win under Hiddink. Both teams will be desperate for a victory and have enough quality to produce an enthralling game of football.
8. Can the Saints build on?
Southampton handed a proper footballing lesson to the Gunners last time around and will face the Hammers in the last game of the first half of the season. They will hope to continue their form and will try and climb up the points table with consistent results. Both clubs will hope for all three points from this game which will take them closer to the European spots.
9. Leicester resilience under serious threat:
City showed glimpses of what they are capable of against Sunderland in the last game and will face table toppers Leicester City who lost their first away game against Liverpool in the last fixture. It will not be easy for the Foxes to take all three points against City and a loss in this game will seriously threaten their position at the top of the Premier League table.
10. Can Klopp handle the festive period?
Jurgen Klopp has already expressed his hate towards the busy English schedule in the festive time and will be frustrated with the growing number of injuries to his squad. He will face a Sunderland side that will try and get anything out of this game to get them out of the relegation zone. Liverpool will head into the game as favorites but it will be interesting to see how Klopp managers his players during this busy time.