Santa has checked the list twice, and since every football fan appears to have been nice (except those indulging in racist abuse of players), we have a full book of Premier League Boxing Day Predictions and fixtures ahead. With our massive Premier League Boxing Day preview available as well.
Each week our preview includes just enough quick and barely interesting stats to help you decide a winner.
And as ever a method of deciding EPL Predictions using a vital statistic or something a little absurd. This week it is based on the form of teams on Boxing Day from previous seasons.
Enjoy our full Premier League Boxing Day Predictions and preview, with more stats and graphs than you’ll ever need. Or visit our Fantasy Premier League preview after this here.
2019-20 Premier League Boxing Day Predictions – Boxing Day Form
Average points on Boxing Day stated below.
TIPPING BACKGROUND: Boxing Day football is a tradition, so we should see who is the best straight after the big Christmas Day.
We have 20 seasons of records, and have recorded an average competition points scored.
Of course the better the side goes on Boxing Day, the better they will play this season.
2019-20 Premier League Boxing Day Predictions
– GAME BY GAME PREVIEW
Here’s our match by match review and our own Premier League Predictions Week 19. With loads of stats as below. But keep in mind the following…
All stats are based on the last 20 years of League fixtures,except where stated. Last 6 matches are League fixtures only.
The barely interesting fact is just that, barely interesting. But takes in all competitions and cups.
SPURS v BRIGHTON
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 12:30PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
The beginning of the end for Mauricio Pochettino really hit when they Spurs last played Brighton earlier in the season. The Seagulls won 3-0 and thoroughly outplayed their much more fancied opponents, which followed their thrashing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho is now in charge, and before last weekend was unbeaten at home. Spurs were so poor against Chelsea, a side who had lost four of five heading into the game. Sure Son’s red card didn’t help, but they were terrible enough before then.
Brighton have been ahead of Spurs in the table for two weeks this season, and overall they are in much better shape than last season.
However, they do come into this game on the back of just one win in seven games (v Arsenal), so form isn’t great.
There is a big difference in xG with Spurs nine goals better than their xG, and Brighton four goals behind their xG.
Final Say:
Spurs 3 Brighton 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Brighton have won none and scored none in two Premier League seasons. Their last goal at Spurs came in a 2005 FA Cup clash, and their last win at Spurs was in the old Division One in 1981.
SHEFFIELD UTD v WATFORD
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
Sheffield United keep going from strength to strength, in fifth place and on a three game winning streak.
And they didn’t let VAR stop them from beating Brighton.
They average better two points a game against bottom six sides, which is not good news for Watford, who have zero points against top six sides this season.
Watford haven’t been that bad recently, despite just the few wins. They were quite competitive against Liverpool two games ago, and beat Man Utd for just the second time in nearly 20 meetings on Sunday.
With new boss Nigel Pearson in charge and form looking like it is turning the corner, they may just find safety yet. Although they need a striker/midfielder who can score multiple goals soon instead of air swings or lace.
Final Say:
Sheffield Utd 1 Watford 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
These teams last met in the Championship in 10/11, Watford won both legs.
ASTON VILLA v NORWICH
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
The sad thing is that both of these two teams will probably go down this season, but there are a handful of players between these sides that should and hopefully do remain in the Premier League.
Aston Villa certainly had the upper time last time these two teams met, flogging Norwich 5-1 at home. It was the only win for these teams over fellow promoted sides as Sheffield Utd have the upper hand on both.
Aston Villa looked off colour against Southampton last weekend, losing a great opportunity to skip ahead of another relegation candidate. They get a second chance this weekend, but will want to improve. At least Jack Grealish continues to look good for our FPL side.
Talking of FPL, Fantasy Football favourites Cantwell and Pukki are back to their early season form, if not goal scoring levels for Pukki. The whole side were excellent against Leicester two games ago, but need to start winning soon.
A big relegation six pointer they call it.
Final Say:
Aston Villa 3 Norwich 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
Norwich got the better of Aston Villa in both Championship games last season.
BOURNEMOUTH v ARSENAL
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
Arsenal will have new manager Mikel Arteta in charge for this one, and hopefully for him, and the fans at the Vitality Stadium they will see a much better game than the dross served up at Everton.
A lot of work for Arteta, who’d think you’d see Arsenal 11th by Christmas, but they are only a good run of wins away from 5th like a bunch of teams.
Bournemouth stopped their losing run of five straight losses with a surprise win at Chelsea, but lost to Burnley in last weekend’s other awful game.
Seems like Bournemouth do just enough to stay 12th-15th.
Final Say:
Bournemouth 0 Arsenal 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
Arsenal have won 3/13 away this season, beating only Newcastle 1-0, West Ham 3-1 with late goals, and a 10 man Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.
CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
Chelsea responded to recent form wobbles in some style at Spurs last Sunday, totally outclassing Tottenham, even before the red card.
Southampton too were quite impressive last weekend against Aston Villa, and have found some decent, recent form.
Despite only just creeping out of the bottom three after last weekend’s win, the Saints are actually 7th in the last 6 form, and have only one point less than the much hyped recent form of Wolves and Sheffield Utd. Granted their recent opponents are either bottom six teams or Arsenal, but it is still points on the board.
Danny Ings is the main man behind the recent form. He has scored seven goals in his last seven games (includes a double last weekend). And he has scored more goals away than home this season – 6 v 5.
Chelsea have had the second most shots this season, ahead of Liverpool and Leicester.
Final Say:
Chelsea 1 Southampton 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Chelsea’s record at home to Southampton isn’t as great as you’d expect – 3 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in seven games.
CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
Zero points between these sides, but as least West Ham had an excuse – their games against Liverpool was postponed. Not that the rescheduled game will probably end up any different.
Crystal Palace haven’t been great at home in this fixtures – their average points scored at Crystal Palace is half of West Ham’s average points.
Not expecting a lot of goals here, just seven at home for Crystal Palace is the second worst home total, and West Ham’s eight goals away is the equal third worst.
Final Say:
Crystal Palace 1 West Ham 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Crystal Palace’s win earlier in the season was their first win over West Ham in 9 starts. They last beat West Ham in 2013.
EVERTON v BURNLEY
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 3:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
Interesting that after the Everton v Arsenal and Bournemouth v Burnley matches last weekend produced two of the worst games in recent memory, that the same four sides face each other this weekend. As if they are stuck in their own mediocrity round robin series.
This will be the big unveiling of Everton’s new manager Carlo Ancelotti, and to be honest it is still amazing to think he will be the new boss at Goodison.
They have done well to turn the corner under Duncan Ferguson, and he has been rewarded with an assistant manager role, which is good for fans of coaching staff showing genuine delight on the sideline.
Burnley’s record at Goodison Park isn’t great, just one win in the last five trips means Everton should probably start their new life off with a win.
Final Say:
Everton 2 Burnley 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Everton have won all the December games this season.
MANCHESTER UTD v NEWCASTLE
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 5:30PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
The last three weeks for Man Utd perfectly sums up their season.
Three games ago they were super competitive against a top side – beating Man City away no less. Two games against slightly more inferior opposition they get a draw. Then last weekend against the bottom side in the Premier League they were awful and got beaten 2-0. That was against a side whom they had beaten almost 100% for the last decade.
Newcastle will be a good test, right in the middle of the table, so expect a draw we guess.
Newcastle did win this fixture 1-0 earlier in the season, that game being one of five clean sheets this season. Which is three more than Manchester Utd.
The teams are equal on points obtained this season, and strange to think that Newcastle could overtake them with a win.
Final Say:
Man Utd 0 Newcastle 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Newcastle have the worst xG figure this season so far.
LEICESTER v LIVERPOOL
BOXING DAY THURSDAY 8:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
The big, big clash of the weekend – 1st v 2nd – but somehow after Leicester’s loss to Man City last weekend the shine has come of this game just a little.
If Leicester had of beaten Man City and won this game, then an unlikely battle for the title between Leicester and Liverpool would have been set up with the teams four points apart.
The problem is also Leicester’s record against the top teams this season. Although, their woes are so far on the road with losses to both Manchester clubs and Liverpool.
Leicester have a decent record at home to Liverpool with three wins in five, but Liverpool are unbeaten in five games against Leicester both home and away.
These two teams are both well under their xG. Jamie Vardy’s outstanding scoring run the main reason for the Foxes outperforming xG by so much. Last weekend was the first time since Brendan Rodger’s first game against Watford in 18/18 that Jamie Vardy had scored and Leicester lost.
Final Say:
Leicester 1 Liverpool 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Interestingly, Leicester have more total FPL points than Liverpool, although have played a game less.
WOLVES v MAN CITY
FRIDAY 8:00PM
H2H STATS – Last 10/20 Seasons
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS & STUFF
With all the football ahead it does seem unnecessary to have this game on the Friday.
Two solid wins in a row for Man City has their season back on track, although not likely going to end in a Premiership, if they keep KDB fit they could go close in Europe.
Talking of Europe, Wolves have adapted to life on the continent and in the Premier League very well after the first month of the season.
Final Say:
Wolves 1 Man City 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Man City have scored more league goals than any other team in the top five European leagues.
The top sides over 40 goals are quite interesting and below…
Man City 50
RB Leipzig 48
Barcelona 47
Bayern Munich 46
Atalanta 43
PSG 43
Liverpool 42
Leicester 41
Dortmund 41
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