It may be the festive season with plenty of leagues in the traditional winter shutdown but there’s a host of top quality action on Boxing Day and this weekend to enjoy around Europe.
Leicester City v Manchester United
Saturday 1:30pm European time - English Premier League
Second-placed Leicester City play host to in-form third-placed Manchester United in a crunch clash in Saturday’s early kick-off. The Foxes have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, similar to 2019-20, fresh from winning 2-0 at Tottenham. The Red Devils have flown up the table lately, moving up to third with a game in hand on leaders Liverpool who are five points ahead. United are unbeaten in their past seven league games and have won six of those. Bruno Fernandes has been a key part of their resurgence, along with Anthony Martial over the past fortnight.
Saturday 1:30pm European time - Scottish Premiership
It’s been a decade since Rangers last won the Scottish Premiership, so they’re highly motivated this campaign and well placed after 19 matches, with a stunning 16-point lead. Second-placed Celtic do have three games in hand to narrow the gap but it’s still a significant buffer. However, Rangers play host to third-placed Hibernian who are actually level on points with the Hoops, so they’re doing a few things right this season. Hibs are unbeaten in their past six league matches and represent a test for Rangers to overcome on their quest for that elusive title.
Saturday 5pm European time - Turkish Super Lig
Two of Turkey’s big clubs meet on Boxing Day, with six-time champions Trabzonspor welcoming Istanbul powerhouse and 22-time Turkish champs Galatasaray down to the Black Sea. Trabzonspor are in good form on an unbeaten run but they are down in ninth spot, so they’ve got some catching up to do. Cimbom are second but haven’t been able to get past surprise leaders Alanyaspor yet this season. After a few lean years, Galatasaray won titles in both 2018 and 2019, before falling short to first-time winners Istanbul BB last term. Radamel Falcao will lead the line for Galatasaray.
Saturday 6:30pm European time - English Premier League
It’s time for a big London derby on Saturday night, but with huge pressure on hosts Arsenal despite playing behind closed doors. The Gunners are down in 15th, having failed to win in the league over their past seven matches. Arsenal have only scored three goals in that run too, with stalwart Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggling up front. Chelsea steadied with their 3-0 home win over West Ham United after losing two games in a row in the league to remain in the title hunt, sitting fifth, only six points behind leaders Liverpool. But Frank Lampard will know they cannot afford to drop anymore points in this recent run.
Sunday 8:15pm European time - English Premier League
Recent top 10 contenders Wolverhampton entertain title hopefuls Tottenham, who’ve stumbled in their past few matches to slip down to sixth spot with only five points collected from their past five games. Spurs went down to leaders Liverpool and then second-placed Leicester City to fall off the pace, having seemed a genuine title threat under Jose Mourinho. Don’t write them off by any means, but this is an important game for them to respond and Wolves are far from easy beats under Nuno Espirito Santo. Raul Jimenez is still absent for Wolves with a facial injury while Gareth Bale injured his calf in midweek.
