The festive period in the Premier League is a hectic time for players, managers and supporters alike.
London is a fantastic place to be at this time of year with plenty of attractions and the Christmas spirit flowing.
Games come thick and fast, with plenty of local derbies adding spice to the calendar. We take a look at the mouth-watering matches over the New Year.
SUNDAY 1st JANUARY 2017
WATFORD vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – VICARAGE ROAD, KICK-OFF 1.30pm
Just 8 miles separate these two clubs, which in London is nothing. Watford, in the Hertfordshire countryside, are enjoying a great season in the top flight and pushing the bigger clubs all the way.
Manchester United found out the cost of underestimating the Hornets when they were roundly beaten 3 – 1 at Vicarage Road earlier in the season. Spurs, difficult to beat but without the attacking flourishes of last season, must win games like these to have any hope of catching the top four.
But Watford have their own ambitions. They are eyeing a Europa League place and a win keeps the top six in touching distance. It’s always a cracking match and with added importance, has all the ingredients of a fiery Premier League clash.
ARSENAL vs CRYSTAL PALACE – EMIRATES STADIUM, KICK-OFF 3pm
At the start of December, Arsenal were in contention for the title. After two defeats in a week, the Gunners are in a fight for their top four place. It’s a familiar feeling for their title challenge to be over before the Christmas decorations are down but this season, with the squad Arsene Wenger has assembled, it’s especially disappointing for supporters.
It’s all relative. As they cry into their beer, perhaps Gooners should spare a thought for Crystal Palace. Last season’s FA Cup finalists are in a trough and managed just six Premier League in the whole of 2016. Relegation is a very real possibility for the Eagles and it will cost Alan Pardew his job.
With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in fine form, Arsenal ought to win this. It’s as close to a home banker as you can get these days with Palace’s only league victory in this fixture coming in 1994. It’s normally a case of Arsenal filling their goal boots and with their attacking array, this may well be the place to go for goals over the festive period.
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TUESDAY 3RD JANUARY 2017
CRYSTAL PALACE vs SWANSEA CITY – SELHURST PARK, KICK-OFF 8pm
After three tough Christmas matches, Palace will be relieved to face the struggling Swans. Bob Bradley’s arrival hasn’t seen any turnaround in the Welsh club’s fortunes and with Sunderland beginning to click, both sides must win this match. It’s a relegation six-pointer if ever there was one.
The signs are more encouraging for the Eagles. They’ve picked up points recently and been unfortunate not to take something off Manchester United and Chelsea. Luck has been on their side with continued poor form of Hull City and Swansea. A win could see them ease to more than six points clear of the Welsh club.
The two sides served up the season’s manic match in November. With ten minutes left, it was 3 – 2 to Swansea. Two goals in ninety seconds gave Palace the lead and the points it seemed. Until a Llorente brace in injury time saw the final score finish 5 – 4 to the Swans.
Bradley’s side have done well in relegation battles at home, beating Sunderland as well, adding importance to their Christmas fixtures against West Ham and this trip to Palace. Lose one or both and they risk being cut helplessly adrift and the American’s stay in the Premier League could be very brief indeed.
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WEDNESDAY 4th JANUARY 2017
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs CHELSEA, WHITE HART LANE, KICK-OFF 8pm
Always save the best for last! There is so much tension and history attached to this fixture that it should be a belter.
When the two sides met at Stamford Bridge recently, it was a game of two halves. Tottenham were in total control for the opening forty-five minutes and deservedly a goal ahead.
Having lost the title at Chelsea in 2015/16, sweet revenge was in the air for Spurs but the interval saw Antonio Conte get into his players and they were unrecognisable in the second half, thoroughly deserving the 2 – 1 win they ended up with.
Tottenham will be out for revenge and having lost just once to Chelsea in the Blues last ten Premier League visits to White Hart Lane, they will be looking to continue that record. While the fans hope for a repeat of the famous 5 – 3 win in 2015, three points will be just as welcomed if they come from the freakiest slice of luck.
It’s a match where the tribal intensity of London football is served up on the pitch and the spark of rivalry fills the air from the stands.
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