The festivities continue apace with seven mid-afternoon kick-offs primed to get our tallies ticking over. At least on paper, Liverpool’s home tie against league leaders Leicester City stands out as out as one of the more fascinating Boxing Day match-ups.
The Foxes have fallen to just one defeat this term and are in the midst of a 10-match unbeaten streak. Over the previous four Gameweeks, they ranked top for goals (nine), second for shot accuracy (42.9%) and top for shot-conversion rate (21.4%). As for the Reds, they surrendered the joint-fewest shots inside the box (16) but still managed to concede the joint-second-most goals (seven). Jurgen Clop’s squad flattered to deceive on the attacking front, too, tallying just three goals and four big chances in the last four Gameweeks.
Manchester City will endeavour to get their title challenge back on track when Sunderland roll up at the Etihad. The Sky Blues’ rearguard has struggled over the last four Gameweeks, conceding six goals and the third-most big chances (10). The Black Cats have fared no better, however, conceding seven goals and the most big chances (12). Casting further doubt on Sunderland’s capacity to shut out Manuel Pellegrini’s troops, they’ve shipped five more away goals (24) than any other side throughout the campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur host a Norwich City outfit that’s buoyant in the wake of their win at Old Trafford. Spurs have somewhat come off the boil in an attacking sense of late, charting third-bottom for shots inside the box (21) over the last four Gameweeks. The Canaries can make vast improvements in the final third, too, considering they ranked joint-bottom for attempts (29), bottom for shots inside the box (14) and bottom for shots on target (eight) during that same time frame.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa search for their first win since the opening Gameweek as they welcome a West Ham United outfit that’s winless in seven. Bournemouth could extend their unbeaten streak to six matches with a result against Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium. Watford – who’ve secured four successive victories – duke it out with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Swansea City strive for their first win in eight when West Bromwich Albion make the trip to the Liberty Stadium.
