As we enter the December football festive period, teams hardly have the time to breathe between games. The quick turnaround begins following the first set of midweek clashes on Tuesday and Wednesday, starting with Newcastle United’s trip to the champions in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Full Weekend Premier League fixtures:
Saturday, December 2nd
Chelsea vs Newcastle
Stoke vs Swansea
Brighton vs Liverpool
Watford vs Tottenham
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Everton vs Huddersfield
Leicester vs Burnley
Arsenal vs Man United
Sunday, December 3rd
Bournemouth vs Southampton
Man City vs West Ham
Chelsea vs Newcastle United
Antonio Conte saw his side come away with a hard-fought victory over Swansea City on Tuesday which was the Blues sixth win in their last seven outings since defeat at home to league leaders Manchester City at the end of September. They will welcome former manager Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle United side, who ended a four-game losing run by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with West Brom in midweek, to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they aim to keep the pressure on Manchester United in 2nd place just ahead them and potentially draw level on points with the Red Devils before their clash with Arsenal later in the day. Chelsea have won their last four league meetings at home against the Magpies, despite losing three and only drawing one against Newcastle United away from home in that same period. Fans will fondly remember the last time the Toon stole victory at the Bridge, in May 2012 when Papiss Cisse scored two superb goals in a 2-0 win.
Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur
This weekend’s only London derby sees 7th place take on 8th as high-flying Watford, coming off the back of a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in midweek, play host to Tottenham at Vicarage Road on Saturday who themselves will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are now winless in their last three in the league, following defeat at Arsenal and a draw at home to West Brom in the matches prior to their midweek meltdown. Watford will pose just as tough a test this weekend, having already registered impressive results at home against Liverpool and Arsenal respectively earlier in the campaign. Spurs however will be confident of their chances, having not lost a league game to Watford in over 30 years and have won 11 of their previous 15 against the Hornets in all competitions since. Watford’s only victory over Spurs since 1987 came at White Hart Lane in the League Cup in October 1994.
Arsenal vs Manchester United
All eyes will turn to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday for what is the blockbuster fixture of the round. Arsenal welcome Manchester United to London eyeing victory that would put them within touching distance of their rivals and all but end any hopes United have of catching a runaway Manchester City. Arsene Wenger’s side have had to dig deep in recent weeks and five wins from their last six have propelled the Gunners right back into top-four contention. They eased passed Premier League new-boys Huddersfield 5-0 on Wednesday in what was the perfect preparation for the visit of United. Jose Mourinho has seen his side struggle in recent weeks but their 4-2 win over Watford in midweek was their third consecutively in the league since a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the start of November. United will be weary going into this clash, having won just three of their last 12 league games away at Arsenal including a 2-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season when former Red Devil Danny Welbeck sealed all three points for the home side.
Manchester City vs West Ham United
Pep Guardiola has overseen Manchester City’s best-ever start to a domestic campaign with 13 wins from their opening 14 league games. Raheem Sterling once again scored a late winner to seal all three points for the Citizens as they maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table. They are the only remaining undefeated side left in the league and it is already becoming difficult to stake a claim against them lifting the Premier League trophy in May. With fixtures against United and Spurs looming on the horizon, City will be eager to extend the early gap over their rivals. West Ham United are still seeking for a first win under new manger David Moyes. They were humbled 4-0 at fellow strugglers Everton on Wednesday, a result which leaves them dangling perilously in the relegation zone. They are now winless in their last seven in the league and will need more than a miracle to take anything off of City who have won nine of their last 15 league games against the Hammers.