With World Cup 2022 now over, it’s time to return to club football action, and the Premier League is the first to kick things off with a Boxing Day bonanza!
Perhaps the most interesting matchup on the Boxing Day schedule is the battle between third-place Newcastle United and Leicester City, who were two of the form teams in the league before the break.
Meanwhile, leaders Arsenal begin life with star striker Gabriel Jesus with a big London derby against West Ham United, and second-place Manchester City face a dangerous Leeds team at Elland Road.
Read on below as SBOTOP takes a look at the three most intriguing matchups as the Premier League makes its much-awaited return on Boxing Day!
Leicester City vs Newcastle United
Arguably the biggest fixture on Boxing Day will see two of the form teams before the World Cup 2022 break – Newcastle United and Leicester City – go head-to-head.
Newcastle have been the big surprise thus far in the Premier League. The Magpies are flying high in third place and went into the World Cup break with five wins on the trot, conceding just two goals during that time.
Eddie Howe will still be without Newcastle’s record signing Alexander Isak, who is still recovering from a thigh injury he suffered back in September.
But Miguel Almiron will be keen to continue his outstanding form. The Paraguayan has scored eight goals this season, seven of which have come in his last eight Premier League starts.
Newcastle will now face a tricky away test away to Leicester, who have returned to their best after a tough start to the season. The Foxes significantly improved their Premier League 2022 results as they won four of their last six games before the break with just one defeat – to champions Manchester City.
Brendan Rodgers has done remarkably well to turn things around. He has shored up the team’s once-leaky defence as they’ve conceded just once in their last six games.
Meanwhile, James Maddison has provided the magic up front. The 26-year-old has been in fantastic form this season with seven goals and four assists.
Arsenal vs West Ham United
Arsenal went into the World Cup break in fine form as they won four games in a row and were unbeaten in their last eight to go five points clear at the top.
However, the Gunners suffered a huge blow to their Premier League 2022 odds of winning the title as they lost star striker Gabriel Jesus for three months with a knee injury.
Mikel Arteta is now expected to turn to Eddie Nketiah to lead the line as they return to Premier League action. Nketiah has yet to score in the Premierr League in 12 appearances, all as a substitute. But the 23-year-old did go on a terrific run of five goals in eight starts to end last season.
The first test for the Gabriel Jesus-less Gunners will come in a London derby against West Ham United, who find themselves just one point clear of the relegation zone. The Hammers lost each of their last three games before the break as they struggle to rediscover the magic of the last few seasons.
To make matters worse for David Moyes, he is unlikely to have World Cup star Nayef Aguerd, who sustained an injury during Morocco’s miracle run to the semi-finals.
Leeds United vs Manchester City
The last match of Matchday 17 is certainly not the least, as Leeds United host defending champions Manchester City at Elland Road.
Leeds went into the break with back-to-back 4-3 thrillers. While they emerged victorious against Bournemouth, they were unable to hold onto a 3-2 lead as they fell to Tottenham.
Still, those performances represent progress for Jesse Marsch’s side, who had been struggling to score goals. Rodrigo Moreno and youngster Crysencio Summerville had been in blistering form as they both scored in each of the Whites’ last four games.
But unfortunately for Leeds, they will be without US international midfielder Tyler Adams, who will be suspended after being sent off at Spurs.
Adams’ absence will be a huge blow to Leeds as they take on Man City, who will be keen to bounce back after a shock 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth in their pre-break finale.
City, who had a lot of players taking part in the World Cup, will likely be without Argentina youngster Julian Alvarez as he returns late from Qatar. But star striker Erling Haaland will be raring to go and add to his Premier League-leading 18 goals after getting a long break.
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