English Premier League: Predictions for all 10 Boxing Day matchups

By: Joe Smeltzer

O come all ye faithful. Boxing Day is here again, and that means football all day long. From 12:45 PM (7:45 Eastern time) until 7:45 PM (2:45 Eastern time), ten football games between all 20 premier league teams will take place. Here are my predictions for each matchup.

12:45
Man United at Stoke City

Louis Van Gaal's band of underachievers will take on an average Stoke City team. While Stoke has been average all year (11th out of 20 teams), Man U has been worse than average over the past month. In fact, they have stunk up whatever buildings they have been playing at. I expect tomorrow game to be more of the same, with neither team able to muster a goal. My gut tells me that Stoke will outplay United before coming away with a draw thanks to a stellar performance from United's world-class keeper, David De Gea. After the final whistle blows, a familiar chorus of boo's will reign down on the Red Devils from the visitors section, and calls for LVG's head won't be getting any quieter.

0-0 Draw

Man of the Match: David De Gea

3:00
Sunderland at Man City

An awful Sunderland club will take on  one of England's best on the road, not to mention City is coming off a tough home loss to Arsenal. Man City will be well motivated to keep up in the title race.

Man City 3, Sunderland 1

Man of the Match: Yaya Toure 

Leicester City at Liverpool

One of the best stories in the premier league this season has been Leicester City, who have somehow found themselves at the top of the league at Christmas. Liverpool, on the other hand, has been average this season, and Jurgen Klopp finds himself in the middle of a run of bad form. However, I have a feeling the Reds will get it done. Leicester can only stay hot for so long, and I do not see them coming away with 3 points at Anfield. Jamie Vardy will bang home a goal, but Liverpool will take control after that and win the game by a score of 3-1. It will be a good day for the inconsistent Scousers.

Liverpool 3, Leicester 1

Man of the Match: Phillipe Coutinho 

Watford at Chelsea

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know how rubbish Chelsea has been this season. However, in the first game since the firing of Jose Mourinho, I saw a team that was focused and inspired. I'm not saying that Mourinho's firing will lead to a top 4 finish, but I expect the Blues to play much-improved football over the rest of the season. Watford has been a great surprise, but like Leicester, the winning can only last so long. Expect Eden Hazard to look like the player we saw last season while Watford sensation Odin Ighalo will be held at bay.

Chelsea 2, Watford 0


West Ham at Aston Villa

The Hammers are mediocre while Villa is rock bottom at 20th in the league. Not the most exciting game in the world, but I'll take just about any team in the premiership over Villa at this point.

West Ham 1, Villa 0

Player to Watch: Nobody 

West Brom at Swansea 

A below average team in West Brom will travel to Wales to take on a Swansea team that is in the relegation zone and without a manager. Boring.

West Brom 1, Swansea 1

Player to Watch: Jonjo Shelvey for his bald head

Crystal Palace at Bournemouth 

Of all of the feel good story's in the premier league this season, none is better than that of Bournemouth, who are playing in their first-ever season in the top flight and are holding their own. This is their first ever Boxing Day game in the BPL, and they will be ready to play. Expect Artur Boruc to make several key saves in a Bournemouth victory.

Bournemouth 2, Palace 1

Player to Watch: Artur Boruc 


Norwich City at Tottenham

Harry Kane and the Spurs are the real deal. I don't suspect they'll have trouble with the recently promoted Norwich club, especially at home. Spurs are in contention for a Champions League spot and are not looking to give away points.

Spurs 3, Norwich 0

Player to Watch: Harry Kane  


5:30
Everton at New Castle

God help New Castle fans. For the second year in a row, this team has disappointed greatly, and Papis Cisse and Co. just can never seem to catch a break. There will be more heartache at St. James' Park on Saturday as Everton will hand the Magpies another disappointing defeat.

Everton 2, New Castle 1

Player to Watch: Romelu Lukaku

Arsenal at Southampton 

The Gunners are fresh off a big win at Man City, and I don't see a floundering Southhampton club slowing Arsene Wenger down. Giroud scores twice, and Arsenal wins handily.

Arsenal 5, Southhampton 2

Player to Watch: Oliver Giroud