Sunday, December 30

5 talking points ahead of Boxing Day's Premier League action

Nine top-flight matches take place up and down the country.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United homecoming, Tottenham's bid to break into the top two and Rafael Benitez's Anfield return share the spotlight on Boxing Day.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at some of the main talking points heading into the festive fixtures.

Ole is Gunnar enjoy returning home

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began life as Manchester United interim manager with victory over Cardiff (Nick Potts/PA)

After a resounding victory at Cardiff in his first match as interim manager of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take his place in the Old Trafford dugout on Boxing Day.

Dubbed a 'super-sub' for much of his time as a player with United, the Norwegian – who replaced Jose Mourinho last week – will no doubt feel comfortable in his surroundings.

Solskjaer could hardly have wanted a better opponent either, with visitors Huddersfield having picked up just five points on the road so far this season and on a five-match losing streak.

Can Benitez cause a shock and hand out a first defeat of the season on old boys Liverpool?

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez believes the club need a 'miracle' to survive in the Premier League (Mike Egerton/PA)

Liverpool boast a four-point lead at the top of the table at Christmas after beating Wolves last Friday and seeing title rivals Manchester City crash to a surprise defeat at home to Crystal Palace the following day.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds remain undefeated in the league with almost half of the season gone and former boss Rafael Benitez takes his Newcastle side to Anfield on Boxing Day.

Benitez said it would be a 'miracle' if the Toon stayed in the Premier League this season but a shock win over his former employers, with Newcastle having lost just twice on the road this season, would be a good place to start.

Arsenal and Chelsea battle for top-four spot



Arsenal are on the cusp of the Premier League top four under head coach Unai Emery. (Martin Rickett/PA)Unai Emery was handed the reins at Arsenal over the summer with the remit of taking the Gunners back into the Premier League top four.

Victory over Burnley on Saturday, coupled with Chelsea's home loss to Leicester, has seen them draw level on 37 points with the Blues – who currently occupy fourth spot on goal difference alone.

Arsenal travel to Brighton on Boxing Day looking to avenge defeat there under Arsene Wenger last season, while Chelsea will be looking to keep hold of their place in the Champions League positions by seeing off Watford in the day's late kick-off.

Bottom at Christmas, can Ranieri instigate another Premier League miracle by saving Fulham?

Claudio Ranieri is aiming to guide Fulham to Premier League safety (Steven Paston/PA)

Fulham need to join a select club if they are to remain a top-flight side heading into next season.

Only three teams have ever survived relegation from the Premier League when bottom at Christmas – but if there is one man who knows how to beat the odds it is manager Claudio Ranieri.

The Italian guided Leicester to a 5000/1 Premier League title success in 2016 and can start another fairytale story with victory at home to Wolves on Boxing Day.

Spurs looking to well and truly join the title race

Mauricio Pochettino watched his Tottenham side hit Everton for six on Sunday (Peter Byrne/PA)

While Liverpool host Newcastle and Manchester City head to Leicester, Tottenham will be looking to keep themselves on the periphery of the fight for the title.

Mauricio Pochettino may have been linked with the full-time managerial role at Manchester United but his Spurs side impressed with a 6-2 win at Everton on Sunday.

On Boxing Day they host Bournemouth knowing that, if results go their way, they could finish the day in second place.



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool2017304884054
2Manchester CityMan City20152354163847
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs20150543212245
4Chelsea20134338162243
5Arsenal20115442301238
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd199553731632
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves208572323029
8Leicester CityLeicester208482423128
9Watford208482728-128
10Everton207673130127
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham208392730-327
12Bournemouth198292733-626
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton207492227-525
14Crystal Palace2054111726-919
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2046101527-1218
16Cardiff CityCardiff2053121938-1918
17Southampton2036112138-1715
18Burnley2043131941-2215
19Fulham2035121843-2514
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2024141235-2310
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