Boxing Day is just around the corner, and despite the postponement of certain Premier League fixtures, it promises to offer some exciting football. December 26 will see 12 of the 20 Premier League teams in action, with Manchester United vs Newcastle being the only fixture scheduled for Monday. Fixtures that have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic include in Liverpool vs Leeds, Wolves vs Watford, and Burnley vs Everton.

Norwich vs Arsenal (3pm GMT; 8.30pm IST):

Fourth-place Arsenal return to Premier League action on Boxing Day and travel to Carrow Road to face Norwich City, who sit at the bottom of the table. Arsenal will be looking to continue their decent run of form, coming off the back of a 5-1 home win over Sunderland in the Carabao Cup midweek. While Norwich, on paper, promises to be an easy opponent, the Canaries will come into the game off the back of a 12-day rest. For Arsenal, however, anything less than a win will be deemed unacceptable, considering that Norwich have won just two of their 18 games thus far.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace (3pm GMT; 8.30pm IST):

Spurs are set to host local rivals Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and will be looking for a win after their 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend. A win would see Spurs move closer to the fourth spot, and things are looking up for Antonio Conte and his outfit, who have not lost a single Premier League match in their last five games, winning three and drawing two. Crystal Palace, in contrast, has had a poor run of form of late, and have lost three of their last five Premier League games.

West Ham vs Southampton (3pm GMT; 8.30pm IST):

Fifth-placed West Ham will be looking to bounce back after suffering a dip in form of late. Having won just one of their last six Premier League fixtures, fifteenth-placed Southampton could just be the opponents they need to ramp up pressure on fourth-place competitor Arsenal. The Hammers have made a habit of hammering the Saints, winning six of their last eight encounters with Sunday’s opponents.

Manchester City vs Leicester City (3pm GMT; 8.30pm IST):

Potentially the game of the weekend, an impeccable Manchester City will be looking to extend their lead at the top against Leicester City, who bottled a game against a weakened Liverpool midweek. The Pep Guardiola-led outfit has scored an astonishing 31 times in their last 11 fixtures and with Leicester City leaking goals, the situation is perfect for City to seal their ninth consecutive league win. That being said, Leicester City have considerable attacking prowess, and the match promises to be an end-to-end thriller if Leicester’s star players turn up.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea (5.30pm GMT; 11pm IST):

Steven Gerrard will possibly be looking to redeem himself after his iconic slip against Chelsea in the 2014-15 season dashed Liverpool’s hopes for a Premier League title. The Aston Villa manager, who has won three and lost two of his last games, will be facing a revitalised Chelsea, who rested several senior players in their tie against Brentford midweek. With Chelsea having won just two of their last five games, with two draws and a loss, Thomas Tuchel will be looking to remind the other title contenders that Chelsea are still in the race. However, given Chelsea’s recent form, there’s a possibility that the London side will drop points at Villa Park.

Brighton vs Brentford (8pm GMT; Monday 1.30am IST):

Despite an improvement in their match performances, struggling Brighton are yet to register a league win since September, and in-form Brentford, with two wins and two draws in their last five games, will be looking to pile further misery on Graham Potter’s side. However, Brighton will be looking to capitalise on the fact that Brentford have let in eight goals in their last three games, and a win by either side would see them rise above the other.