Premier League at Christmas: The biggest games to look out for over the festive period and where to watch them

A look ahead to some of the biggest fixtures of the Christmas period

Will Tottenham be able to halt the Chelsea juggernaut in the New Year? (Getty)

Arsenal vs West Brom – Monday 26 December, 15.00

Like a record on repeat, Arsenal football club remains caught in its own predictable cycle of disappointment and failure. Much to the frustration of the fans, the club is renowned for its reputation of ‘bottling it’ and if the side’s recent results are anything to go by, history, once again, looks to be repeating itself in north London. Heading into their Boxing Day fixture in a familiar fourth, Arsenal face off against an in-form West Brom side. The Baggies are no walkover, having picked up a total of 23 points this season to place them in a respectable eighth. Victory against Tony Pulis’ side is much-needed if the Gunners are to stand any hope of bouncing back from this December lull.

Mesut Özil reacts at the full-time whistle as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Manchester City (Getty)

Leicester City vs West Ham United – Saturday 31 December, 15.00

Two clubs who have failed to meet expectation, two clubs who have found themselves languishing near the foot of the table. Both Leicester and West Ham have endured torrid starts to the season, amassing 17 and 19 points respectively from 17 games. As two sides who were positioned in the top quarter of the league this time last year, the Foxes and Hammers have suffered an embarrassing reverse in fortune. Their encounter on New Year’s Eve will prove to be a crucial fixture as they bid to get kick-start their seasons.

Liverpool vs Manchester City – Saturday 31 December, 17.00, BT Sport 1

One of the stand-out fixtures of the festive period. The pace and raw energy of Jurgen Klopp’s effervescent Liverpool meets the fluency and flair of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Of course, the two are not without their glaring faults. Both have suffered from notable defensive deficiencies that have left the two sides embarrassingly exposed on more than one occasion. Liverpool’s 4-3 humbling at Dean Court. Manchester City’s 4-2 humiliation by the Foxes. Just two that spring to mind. In keeping with the unpredictable nature of the Premier league, in which Guardiola recently conceded anyone can beat anyone, both Liverpool and City have entertained with numerous thrills and spills. How their meeting at Anfield on December 31 pans out is anyone’s guess, but it’s sure to have significant ramifications as the two give chase to league leaders Chelsea.

Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on New Year's Eve (Getty)

Everton vs Southampton – Sunday 1 January, 15:00

With just one point currently separating them, the two sides’ seasons have unfolded in very similar fashions. Both have succumbed to surprise defeats - Southampton at Hull and Crystal Palace, Everton at Burnley and Bournemouth - and both have recorded notable victories against major opposition, with Saints overcoming Inter Milan in the Europa League and the Toffees fighting back to beat Arsenal 2-1. Although both have two games to go, their encounter on January 2 is already shaping up to be a battle of the mid-table. As a side that have been moving in an upward trajectory since clinching promotion in 2012, a convincing victory for Southampton could serve as a timely platform from which to launch another respectable campaign. Everton, in contrast, have endured a protracted decline in recent years and defeat by Southampton would reaffirm the gulf that has opened up between the club and its rivals. Victory, on the other hand, may just prove to be a major turning point in the season.

Tottenham vs Chelsea – Wednesday 4 January, 20:00, Sky Sports 1

This showdown may still be two games away, but it’s a fixture that has already been bookmarked by fans and neutrals alike. The Chelsea juggernaut has looked unstoppable since that chastening 3-0 defeat at Arsenal almost three months ago. Powerful, mesmerising at times and defensively robust: the Blues are truly thriving. While their victories have not always come easily – their last three games ended 1-0 – the ability to grind out gritty wins has been the hallmark of past champions. In this sense, the game against Tottenham will undoubtedly serve as yet another test of their resilience and title-winning credentials. As for Spurs, although it’s hard to judge what position they will be two games down the line, the side are enjoying something of a recent revival having lost just one game in their last five games. Mauricio Pochettino has insisted his men are more than capable of catching Chelsea and will know that victory over the Blues will hand Spurs, and their title rivals, a major psychological boost coming out of the festive period.

Other notable games to look out for and where to watch them:

Monday 26 December

Chelsea vs Bournemouth (15:00)

Leicester City vs Everton (15:00)

Manchester United vs Sunderland (15:00)

Tuesday 27 December

Liverpool vs Stoke City (17:15, Sky Sports 1)

Wednesday 28 December

Southampton vs Tottenham (19:45, Sky Sports 1)

Saturday 31 December

Chelsea vs Stoke City (15:00)

Manchester United vs Middlesbrough (15:00)

Sunday 1 January, 2017

Watford vs Tottenham (13:30, Sky Sports 1)

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (16:00, Sky Sports 1)

Monday 2 January

Sunderland vs Liverpool (15:00)

West Ham vs Manchester United (17:15, Sky Sports 1)

Tuesday 3 January

Bournemouth vs Arsenal (19:45, Sky Sports 1)