The traditionally busy English Premier League festive schedule has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks forcing postponements but there’s a few top games to look out for while there’s also big fixtures happening in Belgium and Turkey.
Sunday 1:30pm European time - Belgian First Division A
The Brugge derby takes place in Belgium on Sunday with Club Brugge sitting second on the table behind leaders Union SG, while Cercle have been in stunning form despite sitting 14th and having lost to the leaders last weekend. Cercle had won four in a row prior to that to ease their relegation concerns with Rabbi Matondo in goal scoring form. Club Brugge are unbeaten in their past five league games and sit points behind Union SG.
Manchester City v Leicester City
Sunday 4pm European time - English Premier League
Amid a swathe of postponed games, champions City are scheduled to take on Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City who are currently ninth in the league after back-to-back top five finishes. The Cityzens are top of the table, with a three-point buffer on Liverpool after a run of eight straight victories. City have few injury concerns nor any COVID-19 issues for now, with Ferran Torres and Kyle Walker the only ones of note out. The Foxes have had a COVID outbreak while Jamie Vardy is a doubt with a tight hamstring.
Sunday 6:30pm European time - English Premier League
Steven Gerrard will not be on the sidelines for 10th-placed Aston Villa due to COVID-19 for when they host third-placed Chelsea. The Blues are six points behind leaders Manchester City and trying to stay in title contention after managing only five points from their past four league games. Chelsea have some issues with positive COVID-19 tests for Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz, while Romelu Lukaku has also been unwell. Thomas Tuchel’s side cannot afford to drop more points during this busy period.
Monday 6pm European time - Turkish Super Lig
There’s a good suite of Turkish top flight football over the Christmas period, with second-placed Konyaspor taking on powerhouse Besiktas on Monday. Konyaspor trail leaders Trabzonspor by 10 points, with Besiktas back in seventh after an inconsistent campaign. Konyaspor come into the game on a three-game winning run while the Black Eagles have only collected eight points from their past eight games, which included a four-game losing streak. But Besiktas are Turkish giants and excellent on their day.
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Monday 9pm European time - English Premier League
Cashed-up Newcastle are still deep in the drop zone, sitting 19th and three points from safety close to the turn of the year. Manchester United are up in sixth, 17 points behind the leaders City. Neither club will be happy with their respective campaigns so far and three points here are critical. Anthony Martial, who has been linked with a move to the Magpies, will face a fitness test with a knee problem. Key midfielder Jonjo Shelvey looks set to miss for Newcastle who will likely be busy in the January transfer period.
