After Stoke and Man United got the New Year under way, we now have eight 3pm kick-offs to carry on the festivities. Villa play host to managerless Palace, as Christian Benteke and co. look to improve upon a run which has harvested just a single goal in their last four league outings.
Hull and Everton go head-to-head at the KC, as both teams attempt to bounce back from Gameweek 19 defeats. Leighton Baines owners will be buoyed by the fact that the Tigers have scored a single goal in their last five home matches, whilst Kevin Mirallas’ third strike in his previous six appearances last weekend suggest the Belgian could spoil the hosts’ clean sheet.
Liverpool’s stock is on the rise after a highly impressive 4-1 thrashing of Swansea on Monday evening. Front three Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho are all in fine form against a defence that has conceded at least twice in all but one of their last six road trips.
Man City need a response after their disappointing draw with Burnley. The champions hammered their opponents 4-1 in early December, and with Yaya Toure passed fit and David Silva serving up his best displays of the season, it could be a long day for Gus Poyet’s troops. Toure starts against the Black Cats as Manuel Pellegrini also opts for Stevan Jovetic up front; Willy Caballero earns a rare start in goal ahead of the rested Joe Hart.
Alan Pardew may have moved on but the Magpies will be confident of earning a sixth home win in seven as Burnley roll up to St James’ Park. With Papiss Cisse suspended, though, Newcastle will have to rely on the likes of Ayoze Perez and Moussa Sissoko, whilst George Boyd, Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings will be hoping to get amongst the points again for the visitors.
After a disappointing blank against Palace on Sunday, Charlie Austin has the chance to redeem himself as QPR entertain Swansea at Loftus Road. Gylfi Sigurdsson is on the search for a third successive strike for the visitors, whilst Wilfried Bony features for the last time before flying off to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations – although, surprisingly, he starts life on the bench.
Southampton’s recent return to form will be put to another test as Arsenal pay visit to St Mary’s. Sadio Mane’s two goals and an assist in the last two suggest he’s set to put the Gunners’ rearguard firmly to the test, whilst Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are the visitors’ men in form as Arsene Wenger’s side go in search of a third successive league win for the first time this term. Calum Chambers is recalled today and will anchor the Gunners’ midfield.
West Ham will be determined to reignite their bid for a top six finish after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Arsenal. Sam Allardyce will be licking his lips at the prospect of a home clash against struggling West Brom – Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll will be looking to put the Baggies to the sword, whilst Allardyce will be hoping Diafra Sakho can serve up the goals before leaving for international duties with Senegal.
