England Premier League Preview: Week 18 (Dec 26-27)
Third placed Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to break into the title race with a victory at Norwich City on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur can make up ground on the league leaders with a win at Norwich City.
Tottenham have lost only one of their last 14 Premier League games, and with a win over Norwich can move to within seven points of the league lead, having played a game less than joint leaders Manchester United and Manchester City.
Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal will also be in action on Tuesday. The Gunners can break into the top four with a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
The Gunners are in good form having won three of their last four games, Wolves will be looking for a win to increase the one point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
In Tuesday’s other game, Swansea City will play host to Queens Park Rangers with both teams looking to climb away from the relegation zone.
This game will be a clash between two newly promoted clubs who have won respect for their style of play from many fans and pundits. They will now be looking to collect enough points to ensure they stay in the division.
QPR are currently two points clear of the relegation zone after losing their last three games, while Swansea are two points further ahead.
Stamford Bridge (London), Monday December 26th, 8:00AM EST
Channels:
Bwin Video,
FSC,
Fox Deportes,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
ESPN HD Brasil,
Viasat Premier League,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
GolT,
SportKlub Slovenia,
SportKlub Serbia,
Sport TV1,
Canal+ Sport,
Sky Calcio 1,
Sport 1,
Nova Sports 1,
Canal+ France,
Canal Plus Urheilu,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
6'eren,
DIGI Sport,
Diema,
Tring Sport 1,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
Sportsnet World,
J Sports 4,
SuperSport Maximo,
SuperSport Internet 3,
SuperSport HD 3,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 10,
Rossiya 2,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Sportklub Croatia,
SportsMax,
Sport 1 Russia,
Sky Sport 1 GermanyChelsea will be looking to extend a five game unbeaten streak when they play host to London rivals Fulham on Boxing Day.
With Tottenham Hotspur not playing until a day later, Chelsea will move up to third place with a victory over the Cottagers. Fulham will be looking for a win to increase the four-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Midfielder Ramires is suspended for Chelsea, while fellow Brazilian David Luiz is struggling with a knee problem. Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel are injury doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
In-form Daniel Sturridge will lead the Chelsea attack, and the young English striker has scored five goals in his last six Premier League games.
Fulham have no new injury concerns, but manager Martin Jol may make changes after losing 5-0 to Manchester United last time out. Midfielder Steve Sidwell is a long-term injury absentee for the Cottagers.
Reebok Stadium (Bolton), Monday December 26th, 10:00AM EST
Newcastle United will be looking to end a six-game winless streak when they travel to face struggling Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
While these two teams are at different ends of the table, they enter this game in equally poor form.
Newcastle have fell to seventh after their hot start to the season cooled off, while Bolton currently occupy the relegation zone after losing five of their last six games. Bolton’s only win during that run came against last placed Blackburn Rovers last time out.
David Wheater is suspended for Bolton, while Paul Robinson is expected to return. Spanish defender Marcos Alonso will be sidelined for over a month after injuring his foot.
Gary Cahill will feature in the heart of the Bolton defense, but speculation is growing about him leaving the club to join Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Peter Lovenkrands and Steven Taylor are sidelined with injury for Newcastle, while Danny Guthrie and Sylvain Marveaux are also ruled out.
Midfielder Dan Gosling is suspended for the Geordies, while Yohan Cabaye will return from a ban. Defender Davide Santon is struggling with a knee injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Demba Ba will lead the Newcastle attack, and the in-form striker has scored four goals in his last three Premier League games.
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich (West Bromwich), Monday December 26th, 10:00AM EST
Channels:
FSC,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
Viasat Xtra Premier League 5,
Sport TV2,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
Canal+ Fútbol / HD,
SportKlub Serbia,
Canal+ Sport,
Sport 1,
Nova Sports 1,
Canal Plus Urheilu,
Tring Sport 2,
Sportsnet One,
J Sports 3,
SuperSport Internet 3,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 10,
Bwin Video,
Digi Sport Plus Hungary,
SportKlub Slovenia,
Sky Sport 1 Italia,
Canal+ Deportes 2 HD,
SportsMax,
Sport 1 RussiaLeague leading Manchester City will be looking for their third straight win when they travel to face West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.
City have won their last two games without conceding a goal, while mid-table West Brom will also be entering this game looking for a third straight win.
Youssouf Mulumbu, Jerome Thomas and Steven Reid look likely to miss out with injury for West Brom, while midfielder James Morrison is hoping to shake off a hamstring problem in time to play.
Peter Odemwingie is expected feature in the Baggies attack, and the in-form forward has scored in each of West Brom’s last two games.
Striker Edin Dzeko and defender Micah Richards are injury doubts for City and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Sergio Aguero is poised to lead the City attack in the absence of Dzeko, and the Argentina international striker scored twice in the 3-0 win over Stoke City last time out.
Anfield (Liverpool), Monday December 26th, 10:00AM EST
Channels:
FoxSoccer.tv,
Fox Deportes,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
ESPN Cono Sur,
ESPN Latin America Andina,
ESPN DOS,
TV3 Sweden,
Sportmanía,
Canal+ Deportes HD,
SportKlub + Serbia,
Sport TV4,
J Sports 1,
Sky Sport 3 Italia,
Sky Calcio 4,
Sport 2,
Sky Calcio 3,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
6'eren,
Nova Sport Bulgaria,
Tring Sport 4,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
Sportsnet West,
Sportsnet Pacific,
Sportsnet Ontario,
Sportsnet East,
SuperSport Internet 7,
SuperSport HD 3,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
Bwin Video,
SuperSport Maximo 2,
SuperSport 7 Nigeria,
SuperSport 7,
Digi Sport 2 Romania,
Canal+ Liga / HD,
Nova Sports 4Struggling Blackburn Rovers face a difficult trip to Liverpool on Boxing Day as they try to climb away from trouble.
Sixth placed Liverpool will enter this game looking to extend a three game unbeaten streak, while Blackburn sit bottom of the Premier League table after losing their last three games.
Midfielder Jay Spearing will return from suspension for Liverpool, while Steven Gerrard and Lucas remain sidelined. Luis Suarez is expected to feature on the Liverpool attack, as the club appeal his ban for racist comments made to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson and Scott Dann are sidelined with injury for Blackburn, while Ryan Nelsen, Martin Olsson and Gael Givet are also ruled out.
Rovers manager will enter this game under mounting pressure from the Blackburn support. During the 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers last time out, the Ewood Park faithful bombarded Kean with hostile insults and criticism.
It will not help Kean that a reminder of Blackburn’s glorious recent history is in the opposing dugout for this game. Current Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish led Blackburn to the title during the 1994/1995 season. Rovers actually sealed the title at Anfield on the last day of the season, but will enter this game under very different, and far less enjoyable circumstances.
Stadium of Light (Sunderland), Monday December 26th, 10:00AM EST
Sunderland will play host to Everton on Boxing Day with both teams looking for a win to climb away from the relegation fight.
Sunderland are currently three points above the drop zone, while Everton are three points further ahead and would move into the top half of the table with a victory.
Both teams will be entering this game in good spirits the day after Christmas. Sunderland have won two out of three games since Martin O’Neill took over the managerial role, while Everton beat Swansea City 1-0 last time out.
Strike pair Connor Wickham and Fraizer Campbell are sidelined with injury for Sunderland, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon are also ruled out.
Seamus Coleman is ruled out with a thigh problem for Everton, wile Jack Rodwell and Conor McAleny are injury doubts.
Old Trafford (Manchester), Monday December 26th, 10:00AM EST
Channels:
ESPN3 USA,
ESPN2,
ESPN Deportes,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
ESPN Venezuela,
ESPN Cono Norte,
ESPN + Andina,
ESPN + Sur,
Viasat Sport,
Viasat Xtra Premier League 3,
GolT,
SK Prime Serbia,
Sport TV1,
Sky Calcio 2,
Sport 1,
Canal+ Sport 1,
DIGI Sport,
ESPN HD Brasil,
Diema,
Tring Sport 1,
ESPN Caribbean,
Sportsnet World,
J Sports 2,
SuperSport Internet 5,
SuperSport 5,
SuperSport 5 Nigeria,
SuperSport 5 Africa,
Bwin Video,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Nova Sports 2,
Sky Sport 1 GermanyRejuvenated Manchester United will be looking for their fifth straight win when they play host to struggling Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day.
At the start of this month, United had just been eliminated from the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace, and had fallen five points behind rivals Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
United have regrouped to win their last four games by a combined score of 12-1, and currently sit only two points behind league leading City.
Wigan currently occupy the relegation zone, and are one point adrift of safety after drawing their last two games against Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.
Winger Ashley Young is sidelined with injury for United, while Phil Jones is expected to return from a facial injury.
Wayne Rooney will lead the United attack, and the England international striker has returned to form by netting four goals in his last three games.
Steve Gohouri and Hugo Rodallega are injury doubts for Wigan and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Midfielder Jordi Gomez will be a key figure for Wigan, and the in-form Spanish playmaker has netted four goals in his last five Premier League games.
Britannia Stadium (Stoke-on-Trent), Monday December 26th, 2:45PM EST
Channels:
Abu Dhabi Sports,
Canal+ Sport,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
Sky Sports 1/HD,
SuperSport HD 3,
Bwin Video,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
Sport TV1,
SuperSport 10,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport Maximo,
SuperSport Action,
SuperSport Internet 3,
ESPN + Sur,
Sportsnet World,
ESPN Cono Norte,
ESPN Venezuela,
FSC,
Fox Deportes,
Canal+ Sport 1,
DIGI Sport,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
Viasat Premier League,
ESPN + Andina,
Canal+ Fútbol / HD,
Sport 1,
Nova Sports 1,
SportKlub Slovenia,
SportKlub Serbia,
Sky Calcio 1,
Nova Sport Bulgaria,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Sportklub Croatia,
6'eren,
SportsMax,
Sport 1 RussiaAston Villa will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat when they travel to face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.
Mid-table Villa are currently five points clear of the relegation zone, while Stoke are five points further ahead after winning four of their last five games.
Defender Ryan Shawcross is back from suspension for Stoke, while Peter Crouch is expected to return from illness. England international striker Crouch will be hoping to brighten up what has been a stressful Christmas period, after burglars broke into his home last week.
Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan is doubtful with a calf problem and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Villa could be boosted by the return from injury of star striker Darren Bent, while Emile Heskey and James Collins could also be back in the starting lineup.
Alan Hutton is suspended for Villa, while midfielder Stephen Ireland is struggling with a thigh injury.
Emirates Stadium (London), Tuesday December 27th, 10:00AM EST
Channels:
Bwin Video,
FoxSoccer.tv,
Fox Soccer Plus,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
Lig TV 2,
Viasat Premier League,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
Canal+ Multideporte 1,
Canal+ Fútbol / HD,
SportKlub Slovenia,
SportKlub Serbia,
Sport 1 Russia,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Sport TV1,
Canal+ Sport,
Sky Supercalcio,
Sky Calcio 1,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Nova Sports 3,
Nova Sports 1,
Canal+ Sport,
Canal Plus Urheilu,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
6'eren,
DIGI Sport,
Sportklub Croatia,
Nova Sport Bulgaria,
Tring Sport 1,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
Sportsnet World,
J Sports 4,
SuperSport Maximo,
SuperSport HD 3,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 10Arsenal can break into the top four with a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
This game was originally scheduled for Boxing Day, but was delayed 24 hours due to fears that the London Tube strike would cause chaos for fans traveling to the game.
The Gunners are in good form having won three of their last four games, Wolves will be looking for a win to increase the one point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Johan Djourou is expected to recover from injury, while Alex Song will return from suspension. Defender Kieran Gibbs is a long-term absentee for the Gunners due to a groin problem.
Robin van Persie will lead the Gunners attack, and the Dutch international striker is currently two goals behind Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 36 goals scored in a calendar year.
Jody Craddock and David Edwards are injury doubts for Wolves and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Liberty Stadium, Swansea (Swansea), Tuesday December 27th, 12:00PM EST
Channels:
Bwin Video,
FSC,
Fox Deportes,
Sky Sports 1/HD,
Abu Dhabi Sports,
Viasat Premier League,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
Canal+ Multideporte 1,
SportKlub Slovenia,
SportKlub Serbia,
Sport 1 Russia,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Sport TV1,
Sport 1,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Nova Sports 1,
Canal Plus Urheilu,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
6'eren,
DIGI Sport,
Sportklub Croatia,
Tring Sport 1,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
SportsMax,
Sportsnet World,
SuperSport Maximo,
SuperSport Internet 3,
SuperSport HD 3,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 10,
ESPN Papua New Guinea,
ESPN Malaysia,
ESPN HD Malaysia,
ESPN Indonesia (Indovision),
ESPN Pakistan,
ESPN Myanmar,
ESPN Mongolia,
ESPN Brunei,
ESPN HD Brunei,
Sky Sport 1 HD GermanySwansea City will play host to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday with both teams looking to climb away from the relegation zone.
This game will be a clash between two newly promoted clubs who have won respect for their style of play from many fans and pundits. They will now be looking to collect enough points to ensure they stay in the division.
QPR are currently two points clear of the relegation zone after losing their last three games, while Swansea are two points further ahead.
Neil Taylor and winger Nathan Dyer are injury doubts for Swansea and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Leading goal scorer Danny Graham will lead a struggling Swansea attack, who have failed to score in their last two games.
Defender Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (knee) are sidelined with injury for QPR.
While Swansea may be in poor attacking form, QPR are equally poor in the defensive department. The Hoops have conceded five goals in their last two defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Sunderland.
Carrow Road (Norwich, Norfolk), Tuesday December 27th, 2:30PM EST
Channels:
Abu Dhabi Sports,
Canal+ Sport,
Sky Sports 1/HD,
Sky Sports 3D,
Bwin Video,
Sport.TV Liga Inglesa,
Sport TV1,
ESPN + Sur,
Sportsnet World,
SuperSport 10,
SuperSport 3,
SuperSport 3 Africa,
SuperSport 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport Maximo,
SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria,
SuperSport HD 3,
SuperSport Internet 3,
ESPN Cono Norte,
ESPN Venezuela,
FSC,
Fox Deportes,
Canal+ Sport,
DIGI Sport,
Tring Sport 1,
Viasat Fotball Sweden,
Canal Plus Urheilu,
TV2 Sport PL Danmark,
Viasat Premier League,
ESPN HD Brasil,
ESPN + Andina,
Canal+ Fútbol / HD,
Sport 1,
Nova Sports 1,
Rossiya 2,
SportKlub Serbia,
Sky Calcio 1,
6'eren,
SportKlub Slovenia,
Nova Sport Bulgaria,
Digi Sport 1 Romania,
Digi Sport Hungary,
Sportklub Croatia,
Lig TV 3,
Sky Supercalcio,
SportsMax,
Sport 1 Russia,
ESPN India,
ESPN Nepal,
ESPN Bangladesh,
ESPN Pakistan,
ESPN Papua New Guinea,
ESPN Sri Lanka,
Star Sports Maldives,
ESPN Indonesia (Indovision),
ESPN Myanmar,
ESPN Mongolia,
Star Sports Taiwan,
Sky Sport 1 GermanyThird placed Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to break into the title race with a victory at Norwich City on Tuesday.
Tottenham have lost only one of their last 14 Premier League games, and with a win over Norwich can move to within seven points of the league lead, having played a game less than joint leaders Manchester United and Manchester City.
Norwich will be looking to extend a three game unbeaten streak, and can move into the top half of the table with a win or draw in this game.
Manchester United loanee Ritchie de Laet is expected to return for Norwich, while Elliott Ward, James Vaughan and Kyle Naughton are also ruled out.
Jermain Defoe and Younes Kaboul are injury doubts for Tottenham, while Ledley King looks set to miss out.
Dutch playmaker Rafael van der Vaart is expected to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play for Spurs.
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