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B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend Dec. 26-28

Ian RodgersDec 24, 2014

With the other major European leagues taking their winter breaks at Christmas, the Premier League is the focus for our Bleacher Report experts this week.

Arsenal will be looking to kick-start the second half of their campaign on Boxing Day when they play host to Queens Park Rangers.

Liverpool have recently shown signs of life after a torrid first half to their season, but they face an awkward trip to in-form Burnley on Friday.

The big game of the festive period, arguably, comes at White Hart Lane on Sunday where Tottenham Hotspur will entertain Manchester United.

Premier League surprise package West Ham United make the trip across London on the same day as they head to Chelsea.

And there is a big match at the bottom of the table on Sunday when Hull City play host to Leicester City.

So do you agree with our experts' predictions for the Christmas fixtures? Let us know in the comments below.

Arsenal vs. QPR

1 of 6

Alex Livie: Arsenal 3-0 QPR

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

The Gunners have had a mixed time of late, but they can kick off the festive period with a comfortable win.

Karl Matchett: Arsenal 3-1 QPR

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

Arsenal to bounce back from inept Anfield display in style by beating relegation-fodder side and giving Arsene Wenger a chance to pronounce spirit and improvement.

Sam Tighe: Arsenal 3-0 QPR

First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez

QPR may look good, and Charlie Austin is on fire, but they're dreadful away from home and look set to be dominated.

Will Tidey: Arsenal 2-1 QPR

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

QPR are in confident mood, and I think they'll give Arsenal a good fight here, only to be denied by Olivier Giroud's wonderful haircut.

Mike Cummings: Arsenal 2-1 QPR

First goalscorer: Charlie Austin

Here we are at Christmas, and it feels like Arsenal's season still isn't completely up and running. Pretty much nothing has come easy for the Gunners this season, and this game should be no exception.

Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 1-0 QPR

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

Despite Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's whinging about the Premier League's holiday-fixture programme, the Gunners have played quite well over the Christmas period in recent seasons and should edge QPR at the Emirates on Boxing Day.

Alex Dimond: Arsenal 3-0 QPR

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

QPR are yet to pick up a point away from the Premier League, and this is hardly the game to see that change. The Gunners will have to be wary of Charlie Austin but should have the firepower to clinch a comfortable win.

Burnley vs. Liverpool

2 of 6

Alex Livie: Burnley 1-0 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Danny Ings

Liverpool looked much-improved against Arsenal last week, but there are still issues to address, and they will be exposed by Burnley.

Karl Matchett: Burnley 1-2 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Jordan Henderson

If Liverpool want the top four, it’s got to happen now. Burnley away and then two home games over Christmas. Three wins are a must.

Sam Tighe: Burnley 1-2 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling

Liverpool's mini-resurgence continues, and although it's not 100 percent convincing, three points is all Brendan Rodgers will want.

Will Tidey: Burnley 1-1 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Danny Ings

Yep, another disappointment for Liverpool in the offing here.

Mike Cummings: Burnley 1-3 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling

Had Liverpool remembered to wear their shooting boots for the Arsenal match, they would have been out of sight by half-time. Will this be their week?

Jerrad Peters: Burnley 0-2 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Steven Gerrard

Burnley have scored just three goals from open play in their last five matches and have won only once. Liverpool's Boxing Day visit to Turf Moor will be the perfect opportunity for the Reds to pick up three points.

Alex Dimond: Burnley 1-1 Liverpool

First goalscorer: Lazar Markovic

Liverpool may feel things are starting to turn for them after Martin Skrtel's late equaliser against Arsenal, but Turf Moor will be a difficult place to visit on Boxing Day, and Sean Dyche's side may well come away with something.

Chelsea vs. West Ham

3 of 6

Alex Livie: Chelsea 3-0 West Ham

First goalscorer: Oscar

West Ham have made a fine start to the season, but Chelsea are a different level entirely and will have too much class.

Karl Matchett: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

First goalscorer: Eden Hazard

No, this won’t be a “test of West Ham’s top-four credentials,” and no, they won’t stop Chelsea winning at home.

Sam Tighe: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

West Ham are flying, but Chelsea's efficiency will take them down. John Terry can handle Andy Carroll.

Will Tidey: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham

First goalscorer: Andy Carroll

West Ham will fancy this one. Big Sam has a point to prove, and it's a point he'll get. How about the use of 19th-century tactics, anyone?

Mike Cummings: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

First goalscorer: Oscar

West Ham have impressed during their fine start to the season, but Chelsea will prove too strong at Stamford Bridge.

Jerrad Peters: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham

First goalscorer: Andy Carroll

West Ham go into Boxing Day ranked fourth in the Premier League and unbeaten in their last five matches. They also played Chelsea to a 0-0 draw when they last visited Stamford Bridge and on Friday will catch the Blues on a shortened week, with Jose Mourinho's men having faced Stoke City on Monday.

Alex Dimond: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

West Ham have proved too much for many sides to handle in attack this season, but Chelsea have the league's best defence, and that should prove the basis of a home win.

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Tottenham vs. Manchester United

4 of 6

Alex Livie: Tottenham 2-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Roberto Soldado

Tottenham don't have a great recent record against United, but this Red Devils side is not great, and Spurs can take advantage.

Karl Matchett: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Harry Kane

Tough one to call; United aren’t playing well but are getting results, while Spurs are still looking for consistency. A fence-sitting draw.

Sam Tighe: Tottenham 1-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Harry Kane

Harry Kane opens the scoring and causes every Tottenham Hotspur fan to resume worshiping the very ground he steps on. United draw level via one of their many, many world-class goalscoring threats.

Will Tidey: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Harry Kane

Has to be goals here. Both teams have some lovely attacking players on red-hot form. The result? A 2-2 draw.

Mike Cummings: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

In the immortal words of Sir Alex Ferguson: "Lads, it's Tottenham."

Jerrad Peters: Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney

Goals are guaranteed in this one. Tottenham Hotspur have kept just a single Premier League clean sheet since the beginning of October, while Manchester United's defense remains a work in progress. Still, United should be able to out-gun their north London hosts.

Alex Dimond: Tottenham 2-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Harry Kane

If Tottenham are to surpass expectations this season, they need to finally start giving a good account of themselves in games against the league's biggest sides. United's flaws and difficulties are still clearly evident—this is a glorious opportunity for a statement win from Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Hull City vs. Leicester City

5 of 6

Alex Livie: Hull 0-1 Leicester

First goalscorer: David Nugent

A true relegation six-pointer and it will be the Foxes who come out on top.

Karl Matchett: Hull 1-0 Leicester

First goalscorer: Abel Hernandez

Winner-takes-all doesn’t quite cover this game, but loser-takes-nothing-but-probable-relegation is pretty close to the truth.

Sam Tighe: Hull 1-0 Leicester

First goalscorer: Alex Bruce

In what is almost certain to be one of the worst games any fan will have the misfortune of seeing, Steve Bruce's underachievers play slightly less worse than Nigel Pearson's underachievers and win 1-0.

Will Tidey: Hull 1-0 Leicester

First goalscorer: Nikica Jelavic

Form book says both teams will lose, but that can't happen. Hull to edge it.

Mike Cummings: Hull 1-1 Leicester

First goalscorer: Nikica Jelavic

A holiday six-pointer featuring two teams that have gone a combined 22 matches without a win. Sounds like a recipe for a tightly contested draw.

Jerrad Peters: Hull 2-0 Leicester

First goalscorer: Abel Hernandez

Both Hull and Leicester have struggled mightily to score goals this season, and what this matchup lacks in star power it will surely make up for in desperation.

Alex Dimond: Hull 1-1 Leicester

First goalscorer: Nikica Jelavic

An important game for both sides, they may end up cancelling each other out—the result barely helping either team in the process.

Latest Standings

6 of 6
B/R Experts' Table
 Week's TotalTotal
Mike Cummings1121
Karl Matchett 12115
Alex Dimond 3105
Alex Livie 12103
Jerrad Peters2101
Sam Tighe 598
Will Tidey 079

Correct result: One point

Correct first goalscorer: Two points

Correct scoreline: Three points

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