Boxing Day Premier League Tips: Arsenal can pile on the pressure

The Premier League will resume with a near-full slate of games on Boxing Day - just eight days after the World Cup final - and Greg Lea has five predictions worth following.

Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 12.30pm Boxing Day

Tottenham were inconsistent in the first part of the season, which contained 15 games. That is summed up by their final eight matches before players jetted off to Qatar - they won four and lost four. That is not the type of record that gets you over the line in a fiercely contested top-four race.

Spurs need to go on a winning run, but playing Brentford away from home is never an easy assignment. Expect a refreshed home team to fly out of the traps and grab the first goal of the game.

Prediction: Brentford to score first goal @ 2.34

Crystal Palace v Fulham

Kick-off: 3pm Boxing Day

Fulham have exceeded expectations so far this season and head into this fixture in the top half of the table. However, they ended the first part of the campaign in mixed form with just two wins from their last eight fixtures before the break.

Similarly, Crystal Palace lost their last pre-World Cup match 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Patrick Vieira’s side has fared much better on home turf, though, and have accumulated nine points from their last three games at Selhurst Park. Back them to make it four in a row in this London derby.

Prediction: Crystal Palace to win @ 2.14

Leicester City v Newcastle United

Kick-off: 3pm Boxing Day

Newcastle looked like genuine top-four contenders prior to the mid-season pause, and they will arrive at the King Power Stadium with the chance to go second in the standings (at least temporarily) with a win. Their success up to now has been built on the joint-best defensive record in the division.

Leicester were in fantastic form before the World Cup and they look to have turned a corner under Brendan Rodgers, who had previously been close to the sack. Attacks could get the better of defences in this one.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.06

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Kick-off: 5.30pm Boxing Day

With a 15-point gap to table-topping Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp has already ruled Liverpool out of the title race. There is still plenty for the Reds to play for, though, and a winning run over the next few weeks would put pressure on their rivals that currently sit above them in the table.

Mo Salah: scored against Man City midweek

Aston Villa are also looking upwards after the appointment of Unai Emery at the beginning of last month. Both teams will attempt to start quickly, which should be good news for the neutrals.

Prediction: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 2.4

Arsenal v West Ham United

Kick-off: 8pm Boxing Day

With a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, Arsenal are in a superb position as the new year approaches. Mikel Arteta’s men won 12 and drew one of their first 14 matches, and there is genuine belief at the Emirates Stadium that this team is capable of winning the title.

That remains to be seen, but West Ham will struggle to halt their hosts in this one. Although Gabriel Jesus’ absence is a blow, Arsenal have more than enough firepower elsewhere to get the job done in convincing fashion.

Prediction: Arsenal to score in both halves @ 2.32

Boxing Day Premier League Tips

Brentford v Tottenham: Brentford to score the first goal @ 2.34
Crystal Palace v Fulham: Palace to win @ 2.14
Leicester v Newcastle: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.06
Aston Villa v Liverpool: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 2.4
Arsenal v West Ham: Arsenal to score in both halves @ 2.32