EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 18 Premier League Fixtures
Leicester City will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day, and they will hope to consolidate their billing as England's best team after a tricky visit to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds were humiliated at the hands of Watford in the league last time out, and the German will be looking for a quick response against the rampant Foxes.
Manchester United travel to Stoke City in a must-win game for manager Louis van Gaal. He has witnessed his team go six games without a victory in all competitions, crashing out of the UEFA Champions League in the process.
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Guus Hiddink returns to Stamford Bridge for his second interim spell in charge of Chelsea after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, and the Blues face a jubilant Watford, who sit eight places above the reigning league champions.
Here is the full set of fixtures for Boxing Day, including picks and predictions for each match and a look at the potential top players for the festive period:
| Dec. 26 | 12.45 p.m./7.45 a.m. | Stoke City vs. Manchester United | 1-0 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Aston Villa vs. West Ham United | 0-0 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace | 1-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Chelsea vs. Watford | 3-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Liverpool vs. Leicester City | 2-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Sunderland | 3-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion | 1-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City | 2-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Everton | 1-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 7.45 p.m./2.45 p.m. | Southampton vs. Arsenal | 1-4 |
Eden Hazard, Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo
It is a confusing period for Eden Hazard, who has travelled full circle in his career in England in only a few short months.
The Belgium international has gone from PFA Player of the Year to also-ran in no time at all, contributing to the shock demise of Mourinho in west London.
It was an event no supporter could have predicted, and Hazard's body language has been contorted since the opening-day draw against Swansea City at the Bridge.
However, as one door closes, another one opens—and the exit of the self-proclaimed "Special One" will provide the diminutive attacker with fresh opportunity.
Hiddink's arrival could be exactly what the player has been waiting for, and the Dutchman's tactics are likely to offer Hazard a new freedom.
One of the new coach's mandates will be to get Hazard playing to an optimum again, but the atmosphere at the Bridge was toxic on Saturday—and the superstar will have to win the fans over once more after Mourinho's dismissal.
Cricketer and Chelsea fan Kevin Pietersen has already run out of patience with the midfielder and wants to see owner Roman Abramovich sell the player as soon as possible, along with fellow misfit Diego Costa:
In years gone by, the visit of Watford would have given Chelsea the chance to sharpen their swords for a goal fest at home. However, the Hornets are in exceptional form, as Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo run riot in the Premier League against all opposition.
The strike duo destroyed Liverpool in their previous league match, and they look like the best current pairing in England—along with Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.
Ighalo has burst from obscurity this term, and it was debatable whether Watford's strikers would be able to cope with the leap from the Championship.
However, they have excelled in the top division, and captain Deeney could find himself as a shock addition to England's UEFA Euro 2016 squad if he maintains his form through to the summer.
Ighalo's statistics have been exceptional this term, scoring 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances, according to WhoScored.com—including a sumptuous double against Liverpool.
Chelsea's defence will not have cured its ills in only a few short days of obtaining Hiddink's services, and the natural pace and power of Watford's strike force will give them infinite problems.
John Terry doesn't have the speed to battle with Ighalo one-on-one, and if Deeney finds space in the pocket, the Blues' midfield will need to be at their most disciplined—an element not witnessed under Mourinho this season.
The champions' best form of defence will be attack, and if Hazard can roll back the months to find his best form, Watford will be shoved onto the back foot.
The lack of morale and joy in Chelsea's game has been evident to watching supporters and neutrals, and they must rediscover this on Boxing Day.
If they don't, the Blues could be staring a relegation fight in the face at the turn of the year, and if Hazard doesn't rediscover his mojo, the owner will be forced to splash the cash in January.
