Premier League Weekend Preview: Game-by-Game Guide
Boxing Day's bumper schedule has barely been digested, but the Premier League returns with yet another packed card of action just two days later.
Teams have minimal time to scout and prepare for their next opponents which may lead to some entertaining, unpredictable games.
With another round of matches set for New Year's Day, there's no release during this frantic, festive period of the season.
Here's a look ahead to each of this weekend's Premier League fixtures.
All statistics via WhoScored?
West Ham vs. West Bromwich Albion
1 of 10
Where: The Boleyn Ground
When: Saturday, 28 December, 12:45 p.m. GMT
The weekend begins with a key clash at the foot of the table as West Ham entertain West Brom.
The Hammers sit in an alarming 19th position but can climb out of trouble and send their 15th-placed opponents perilously close to the drop-zone with a win.
Form
West Brom have been in free-fall of late. No Premier League side can match their measly return of just two points from their past six games.
The hosts have also struggled for results, sitting 17th in terms of form and with only a point to show from their past five encounters.
West Ham have lost just one of the eight most recent Premier League meetings between these two, winning and drawing two of the four games on home soil.
Key Battles
This game is a must-win for the Hammers, which should translate into a high-tempo, physical affair. Set-pieces may well prove decisive.
West Brom will try and condense space in their defensive third, and aerial duels between Carlton Cole and Jonas Olsson or Gareth McAuley will determine how prominent the Hammers are in attack.
If Cole can win his personal battles, West Ham will have a much better platform to attack from.
Prediction: West Ham 1-0 West Brom
West Brom can be hard to break down, but Sam Allardyce's situation is getting ever more precarious and his squad must respond with a performance for their manager.
It might not be pretty, but his side have the players to wrestle the points off the Baggies.
Aston Villa vs. Swansea
2 of 10
Where: Villa Park
When: Saturday, 28 December, 3 p.m. GMT
Aston Villa host Swansea in the first of a quartet of 3 p.m. fixtures.
Both sides sit in mid-table but have found themselves sucked closer to the relegation zone in recent weeks. The loser will find themselves tantalisingly close to the drop in the New Year.
Form
Villa have lost four on the bounce and are 18th in the form table with just four points from six games.
Swansea have only produced a marginally better recent return, taking five points from six matches having lost their past two.
Both sides have a win from each of the two corresponding fixtures at Villa Park since Swansea's promotion.
Key Battles
This game should transpire exactly as both sides prefer.
Aston Villa are better on the counter-attack and will surrender play to their possession-hungry visitors who average more of the ball more than any Premier League side this season (59 percent).
The hosts' hopes will rest on their transitions following turnovers, and both Marc Albrighton and Gabby Agbonlahor must be found in space to launch their attacks. The more Swansea's midfield and full-backs can slow this process, the less threatening their opponents will be.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Swansea
Villa have fared well when playing sides that prefer a possession approach, beating the second- and third-ranked sides in that category: Manchester City and Southampton.
However, the erratic nature of the defence may well come back to haunt them and prevent a win.
Hull vs. Fulham
3 of 10
Where: The KC Stadium
When: Saturday, 28 December, 3 p.m. GMT
Hull face Fulham in another match with potential to spice up the relegation battle.
The Cottagers are 18th but just four points below their opponents who sit 12th. An away win would pull several teams back into trouble.
Form
Fulham's Boxing Day win at Norwich was their second in four games, enough to catapult them to 14th in the form table.
They have the same amount of points from their past six matches as Hull, who haven't won in five games.
The Tigers have won three of the four Premier League ties between these clubs, winning both games on home turf during their previous stint of top-flight football.
Key Battles
Pajtim Kasami has proved his side's most creative source in recent weeks. He was integral to the win at Norwich and will line up against Jake Livermore in one of the more pivotal clashes.
As usual, Hull will look to spread the play before unleashing Ahmed Elmohamady in space. The Tigers use their right third 43 percent of the time, a percentage no Premier League surpasses.
The Egyptian is likely to face Kieran Richardson at left-back and will fancy his chances of exploiting any defensive deficiencies in the former England midfielder.
Prediction: Hull 1-1 Fulham
Fulham have been uncharacteristically unpredictable on their travels this season, recording three unexpected wins.
They will feel capable of taking more points from their newly promoted opponent, who may struggle to erase scars from their Boxing Day collapse against Manchester United.
Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
4 of 10
Where: The Etihad Stadium
When: Saturday, 28 December, 3 p.m. GMT
The biggest gap between clubs sees second-placed Manchester City host Crystal Palace, who have risen to 17th.
With Arsenal not playing until Sunday, the home side will be looking to top the table and put extra pressure on the Gunners.
Form
City have been lethal on home soil, winning nine from nine and scoring an incredible 37 goals. Their recent form is the best in the league, with 16 points taken from a possible 18.
Tony Pulis has restored hope at Crystal Palace and has seen his side win three of their past five. They sit ninth in the form table following an away win at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
Manchester City have won both previous Premier League match-ups, back in the 2004/05 season.
Key Battles
This match will see waves of Manchester City pressure against a Palace side likely to sit back and invite it on.
Mile Jedinak will have to be at his best to disrupt City's trio of attacking midfielders, while Julian Speroni must also be in top form.
Jesus Navas against Jonathan Parr may be the home side's most used avenue into the final third.
Prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Crystal Palace
Every Premier League side to enter the Etihad Stadium has been beaten this season, and despite their resurgence under Pulis, Crystal Palace may well be in for a mauling.
Norwich vs. Manchester United
5 of 10
Where: Carrow Road
When: Saturday, 28 December, 3 p.m. GMT
Manchester United travel to Norwich hoping to return to the top six with a win.
They face a side as near to the bottom as they are to the top in the 14th-placed Canaries, aiming to remain clear of the six teams below them.
Form
Norwich will be desperate for a response after a late goal against Fulham saw them suffer Boxing Day defeat. They are positively mid-table in terms of form, winning, drawing and losing two of their past six games.
After a shaky stretch, United have responded with three wins on the bounce, moving them up to eighth in the form table. The Premier League champions have travelled well this season and boast the third-best away record.
Norwich have won two of the past three home games with United, their only two wins in 17 meetings dating back to 1991.
Key Battles
Wayne Rooney will once again prove integral for the visitors. He will drift around in search of pockets of space, and Leroy Fer must keep close tabs on him from midfield.
If Adnan Januzaj plays, expect his battle with Steven Whittaker to be a prominent exchange.
At the other end, United have been increasingly error-prone at the back. Gary Hooper has five goals in eight games and will capitalise on any hesitancy.
Prediction: Norwich 1-1 Manchester United
David Moyes' side have found form, but Norwich have often caused upsets at home and have enough to slow their opponent's progress.
Cardiff vs. Sunderland
6 of 10
Where: Cardiff City Stadium
When: Saturday, 28 December, 17:30 p.m. GMT
Saturday's final clash is a basement battle between a beleaguered, manager-less Cardiff and a Sunderland side now just three points from safety.
The home side are one point above the drop-zone and will likely be greeted by a toxic atmosphere in the wake of Malky Mackay's sacking.
Form
Cardiff have suffered defeat in four of their past six games, leaving them second-bottom of the form table.
Sunderland's fortuitous Boxing Day triumph at Everton propelled them to 13th in the form guide with five points from three games.
This is a first Premier League meeting between these two; Sunderland took all thee points on both their previous league visits to Cardiff in 2007 and 2004.
Key Battles
Sunderland have been a little more expressive under Gus Poyet, while Cardiff are more likely to adopt a direct style of play.
Ki Sung-Yueng has been behind most of the Black Cats' better moments under Poyet and is likely to be heavily involved in most passing phases.
His match-up with Gary Medel will prove pivotal to the possession battle. Elsewhere, Fraizer Campbell will hope to capitalise on Sunderland's reserve centre-backs a little better than Everton did.
Prediction: Cardiff 0-1 Sunderland
Cardiff are in danger of imploding at the moment. They won't have an identity under temporary leadership and will do well to avoid defeat as Sunderland look to pounce.
Everton vs. Southampton
7 of 10
Where: Goodison Park
When: Sunday, 29 December, 13:30 p.m. GMT
Everton host Southampton in the first of the two early kick-offs on Sunday.
Both sides will appreciate the extra hours to recover from Boxing Day in what is a clash between two especially industrious teams.
Form
Everton's imperious recent form came crashing back to earth in the form of a home Boxing Day defeat to Sunderland; however, the Toffees are still second in the Premier League form table, with 13 points from six games.
Southampton arrested a run of rotten results with a thumping away win at Cardiff. It was their first victory in seven games.
The Toffees won last season's corresponding fixture 3-1 and have not lost at home to the Saints since 1997.
Key Battles
Both sides are depleted with injuries and suspension but should still produce an intriguing clash of styles.
Southampton come out and press high, which may suit the Toffees, whose possession brand of football is designed to draw their opponents out.
Victor Wanyama, Gareth Barry and Morgan Schneiderlin are all missing from central midfield, so how the likes of Leon Osman, Ross Barkley, Jack Cork and James Ward-Prowse replace them will be crucial.
Elsewhere, Steven Pienaar will look to test Calum Chambers' Premier League pedigree down the Toffees' left.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Southampton
Everton can take heart from their 10-man showing against Sunderland, regardless of the fact it ended in defeat.
Southampton will have their confidence restored but may struggle at what's been an intimidating ground in 2013.
Newcastle United vs. Arsenal
8 of 10
Where: St James' Park
When: Sunday, 29 December, 13:30 p.m. GMT
Sixth-placed Newcastle welcome league leaders Arsenal to the North East in one of the weekend's marquee fixtures.
The Gunners may well need to win to return to the top while Newcastle could end up in fifth with some favourable results.
Form
The Magpies have been in a relentless mood of late, winning four of their past six, good enough for third in the form table.
They have two more points from their past six games than their opponents, as the Gunners have negotiated a particularly stern run of fixtures.
Newcastle haven't beaten Arsenal at home since 2005, although four of the past six games have been drawn.
Key Battles
This game should be one of the more entertaining spectacles, with both sides willing to commit men going forward.
Yohan Cabaye has been the Magpies' chief orchestrator in recent weeks and will need to be shackled to suppress the home side's attack.
Theo Walcott has returned in fine form and may provide Arsenal's best route to goal, especially on the break.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Arsenal
Newcastle have only lost once at home this season and pose enough of a threat to at least share the spoils.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
9 of 10
Where: Stamford Bridge
When: Sunday, 29 December, 4 p.m. GMT
Chelsea and Liverpool play out the show-piece fixture of this round of games.
Both sides sit in Champions League places and could go top with a win, while defeat would temporarily cast them adrift from the title race.
Form
The hosts are fourth in the form table, with four wins and just one defeat from their past six outings.
Defeat at Manchester City halted a run of four straight wins for Liverpool and saw them relinquish their place as Premier League leaders.
The Reds haven't suffered defeat on any of their past three visits to Stamford Bridge, winning twice.
Key Battles
With so much at stake, this is likely to be a cagey affair. Both sides are in the top four for set piece goals scored and dead-ball situations will be crucial.
In central midfield, the energy and pressing of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen will be an interesting match with the nous and experience of Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel.
Any direct confrontation between Luis Suarez and Branislav Ivanovic will also be eagerly consumed, following last year's infamous biting incident.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
So many high-profile matches involving Jose Mourinho often end in an anticlimax, which again seems possible here.
Neither side will want to lose, which may result in a low-scoring draw.
Tottenham vs. Stoke
10 of 10
Where: White Hart Lane
When: Sunday, 29 December, 4 p.m. GMT
Tottenham welcome Stoke to White Hart Lane in the final match of the weekend, played when most eyes will be on Chelsea vs. Liverpool.
Spurs can return to the top six with a win, while Stoke will be looking to cement their top-10 status.
Form
Despite a turbulent few weeks Spurs boast decent form, taking 10 points from their past five fixtures.
Stoke sit 11th in the form table with eight points from six games.
The Potters have enjoyed relative success during previous trips to White Hart Lane, with a win and two draws from their five encounters.
Key Battles
Tottenham's midfield has been looking increasingly attacking under Tim Sherwood but void of any defensive cover.
Steven N'Zonzi and Wilson Palacios must shadow the considerable offensive threat, but the likes of Stephen Ireland and Jonathan Walters can exploit the lack of resilience at turnovers.
With two strikers likely to start for Spurs, the duels and movement around Stoke's centre-backs will also prove key.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Stoke
Stoke should provide Spurs with the perfect medicine to rectify their patchy home form.
The Potters are the Premier League's worst travellers this season, which the home side should capitalise on.
