Premier League Gameweek 15 Preview
The Premier League festive fixtures are well and truly underway with this weekends action kicking off in spectacular fashion. Everton host Liverpool for the final time at Goodison Park.
The Toffees will welcome their rivals to their home in the last Merseyside Derby before their move next season. Both sides will be looking for wins to secure key points at both ends of the table.
As part of the weekend preview, we will be selecting three games to give you an in depth look ahead of the action. The full list of this weekends games can be found below.
Saturday
Everton v Liverpool - 12:30pm
Aston Villa v Southampton - 3pm
Brentford v Newcastle - 3pm
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - 3pm
Manchester United v - Nottingham Forest - 5:30pm
Sunday
Ipswich v Bournemouth - 2pm
Fulham v Arsenal - 2pm
Leicester v Brighton - 2pm
Tottenham v Chelsea - 4:30pm
Monday
West Ham v Wolves - 8pm
Everton v Liverpool - Preview
League leaders Liverpool visit Goodison Park for the final time. The Toffees will be looking to leave their treasured home with one more Merseyside Derby victory added to their list.
However, the Reds have been in fine form this season losing just once. Arne Slots' side did drop points during a midweek trip to St James’ Park. Everton produced a fine performance, dismantling Wolves 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Despite the speculation surrounding Mo Salah’s contract, the winger has been in incredible form so far this season. Salah has 13 goals and 8 assists so far in the league this season.
Dwight McNeil is Everton's top performer this season, with 6 goal contributions in the league campaign so far. The Reds however have scored 15 more goals than the Toffees so far this season, showing just how strong their side can be in front if goal.
In what will be a momentous occasion at Goodison Park, it seems most likely that the visitors will come out on top. However, never write off the Toffees in a game at home, especially given the special circumstances of this game in particular.
Tottenham v Chelsea - Preview
A classic London derby awaits on Super Sunday as Tottenham and Chelsea meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both meetings last season saw Chelsea come out on top.
Enzo Maresca’s side sit 2nd in the Premier League table having only lost twice in the campaign. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou was met with an angry response from Spurs fans following their defeat at Bournemouth in mid week.
Spurs sit 10th in the table and whilst they’ve had some quality results their levels of consistency have been nowhere near a top four standard. Since beating Man City 0-4 at the Etihad, Spurs have failed to pick up a win.
In terms of the players to look at for this game, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have been in fine form for the Blues this season. A combined 26 goal contributions between the pair has been a driving force behind their side's strong start.
Brennan Johnson is Spurs’ top scorer this season. The Welshman has silenced his critics with a great run of form over the past months and is one to watch ahead of this Sundays game.
Chelsea will be the favourites heading into this game but with Spurs needing a result to bounce back it truly is anyone's game and should be a great watch this Sunday.
West Ham v Wolves - Preview
A lot of eyes will be on the Monday night game between West Ham and Wolves. Both sides are rumoured to be planning the departure of their managers.
The Hammers have failed to really hit the mark under Julen Lopetegui despite having an incredibly exciting squad on paper. Meanwhile Wolves sit in the relegation zone putting Gary O’Neil under immense pressure.
Lopetegui’s side were defeated 3-1 away at Leicester City in what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge. West Ham are yet another team really struggling with consistency this season.
Meanwhile, O’Neil has his side in 19th with only two wins in the league this season. Wolves were heavily defeated 0-4 at home against Everton during the midweek fixtures.
Both teams are desperate for a win on Monday with both managers under intense pressure to get a result. The game is being branded as ‘El Sackio’ on social media with the losing team likely to part ways with their manager.
Ones to watch ahead of this one include Jarrod Bowen for the hosts and Matheus Cunha for the visitors. Both players have been somewhat of a bright spark in their teams disappointing campaigns so far.