Match previews

CHELSEA welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge for some festive football under the lights.
Frank Lampard’s men will be looking to bounce back after a disastrous derby defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day.

Frank Lampard’s side are hoping for another three pointsCredit: Reuters

Villa meanwhile have made an excellent start to the campaign and are targeting a first top-ten finish in the Premier League since 2011.
When is Chelsea vs Aston Villa?
This Premier League clash is set for Monday, December 28.
Kick-off at the Bridge is at 5.30pm GMT.
When the sides met last, Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners back in June.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on Amazon Prime Video.
The streaming giant is available on your mobile, tablet, PC, Smart TV, games console and now on Sky Q.
Follow the link here for a free 30-day trial.

What is the team news?
Chelsea could welcome back Hakim Ziyech and Olivier Giroud as they look to get back to winning ways.
Timo Werner was hauled off at half-time in the Gunners defeat and may have to make do with a place on the bench.
For the visitors, Tyrone Mings is suspended after receiving a red card in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Ross Barkley is ineligible to face his parent club despite returning to training.

Match odds
Chelsea to win – 8/15
Draw – 13/4
Villa victory – 9/2
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

WOLVES welcome Tottenham to Molineux tonight looking to get back to winning ways after defeat to Burnley.
Nuno Santo’s side have struggled for consistency in recent weeks and fell to a 2-1 loss at Turf Moor, despite a late rally.

Harry Kane and Co are winless in three Premier League gamesCredit: AP:Associated Press

Tottenham meanwhile have seen their title hopes shrink after back-to-back defeats, which has put Jose Mourinho’s men outside the top-six.
When is Wolves vs Tottenham?
Kick-off is at 7.15pm GMT.
When Tottenhan last visited this ground, they won 2-1 after a dramatic late winner from Jan Vertonghen.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra HD.
Coverage follows the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea.
If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.

What is the team news?
Wolves are still without Raul Jimenez and Jonny, and it’s likely that Leander Dendoncker will also be out of action.
The home side will probably field a different XI to the one that lost to Burnley on Monday evening.
Daniel Podence, Fabio Silva and Pedro Neto could all make starts as part of a three-pronged attack for the home side.
For Spurs, Japhet Tanganga misses out with a shoulder injury and Giovani Lo Celso has a thigh problem.

Harry Kane, Steven Bergwijn and Heung-min Son are all expected to start, while Gareth Bale has a calf injury.
Match odds
Wolves to win – 5/2
Draw – 21/10
Tottenham victory – 23/20
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

WOLVES welcome Tottenham to Molineux looking to get back to winning ways after defeat to Burnley.
Nuno Santo’s side have struggled for consistency in recent weeks and fell to a 2-1 loss at Turf Moor, despite a late rally.

Harry Kane and Co are winless in three Premier League gamesCredit: AP:Associated Press

Tottenham meanwhile have seen their title hopes shrink after back-to-back defeats, which has put Jose Mourinho’s men outside the top-six.
When is Wolves vs Tottenham?
This Premier League clash will be held on Sunday, December 27.
Kick-off is at 7.15pm GMT.
When Tottenhan last visited this ground, they won 2-1 after a dramatic late winner from Jan Vertonghen.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra HD.
Coverage follows the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea.
If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can grab a NOW TV pass from £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.

What is the team news?
Wolves are still without Raul Jimenez and Jonny, and it’s likely that Leander Dendoncker will also be out of action.
The home side will probably field a different XI to the one that lost to Burnley on Monday evening.
Daniel Podence, Fabio Silva and Pedro Neto could all make starts as part of a three-pronged attack for the home side.
For Spurs, Japhet Tanganga misses out with a shoulder injury and Giovani Lo Celso has a thigh problem.

Harry Kane, Steven Bergwijn and Heung-min Son are all expected to start, while Gareth Bale has a calf injury.
Match odds
Wolves to win – 5/2
Draw – 21/10
Tottenham victory – 23/20
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

LIVERPOOL face West Brom with the defending Premier League champions chasing a third-straight win.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ran riot in South East London last weekend, putting seven past Crystal Palace in their most complete performance of the season.

Klopp’s side were just to strong for Palace at Selhurst ParkCredit: Reuters

The Baggies meanwhile now have Big Sam at the helm, but the former England boss has a huge task to save a side who have just one win in 14 top-flight games.
When is Liverpool vs West Brom?
This Premier League clash is set for Sunday, December 27.
Kick-off at Anfield is at 4.30pm GMT.
When the Baggies last visited this ground in 2018, they knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup after winning a classic cup tie 3-2.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra HD.
Coverage follows the match between West Ham and Brighton.
Non-Sky customers can still tune in by grabbing a NOW TV pass from £9.99.

What is the team news?
Liverpool are obviously still without three of their biggest players in Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez.
But they can take solace in the fact that summer signing Thiago Alcantara has returned to training, though he won’t feature against the Baggies.
Mo Salah will likely start after coming on to score twice in the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Firmino is also in lime to start for the away side.

West Brom will welcome Matheus Pereira back into the fold for this game as he is back from suspension, as is Jake Livermore.
Match odds
Liverpool to win – 1/8
Draw – 15/2
West Brom victory – 25/1
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

LEEDS welcome Burnley to Elland Road looking to put their heavy 6-2 defeat to Man Utd behind them.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men were thrashed at Old Trafford last weekend, condemning them to a third defeat in five Premier League games.

Bielsa’s men didn’t stop playing their natural game – but just couldn’t live with Man UtdCredit: EPA

Burnley meanwhile arrive in excellent recent form, with Sean Dyche’s men climbing out the bottom three after taking eight points from a possible 12.
When is Leeds vs Burnley?
This Premier League clash is part of a Super Sunday schedule on December 27.
Kick-off is at 12pm BST.
When Burnley last visited this ground in 2015, the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Championship.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra HD.
Coverage begins at 11.30am.
If you’re not a Sky subscriber, grab a NOW TV pass from stream the action for £9.99.

What is the team news?
Burnley are sweating on the fitness of Robbie Brady and Dwight McNeil after the pair were forced off in the win over Wolves.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson remains out too, with Jack Cork also set to miss the festive fixture.
Leeds named an unchanged XI against Man Utd and although Bielsa has no fresh injury concerns, he could spring a surprise and bring Pablo Hernandez in from the cold.
Match odds
Leeds to win – 7/10
Draw – 14/5
Burnley victory – 7/2
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

ARSENAL brushed Chelsea aside at the Emirates, thanks to some wonderful daring attacking play – and a bit of fortune.
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners an incredible three-goal advantage before VAR checked and allowed one from Tammy Abraham.

Bernd Leno saved a Jorginho penalty late on to preserve a healthy advantage and deny the Blues the chance to get back into the game.
Read about how the game unfolded with our kick-by-kick blog below…

THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us for a Boxing Day derby.
Now it’s time to polish off your leftovers while reading our match report.

LAMPS SPEAKS
The Chelsea boss was less than impressed in his post-match interview.
Frank Lampard said: “It wasn’t good enough, the first half wasn’t good enough, we then had a mountain to climb and when you attack the way we did then the second goal happens.”We brought on people that added speed and energy, but we should have had that from every player on the pitch.”The message was clear, we knew they were a talented team, it’s a London derby, we knew we could go second and they could head downwards, perhaps the players thought too much about that.”I’m angry because I want us to win game- it was an opportunity to go second.”You should make it more difficult for them, but we gave them an opening from minute one, lazily gave a penalty and lazily gave away a free kick.”I’m very, very disappointed in the way we approached the first half- it’s not tactics, it’s whether you want to jog or sprint and they made the wrong choices.”

HOW’S STAT, SAKA?
No wonder Saka was named today’s man-of-the-match!

⭐️ Man of the Match, @Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka46 touches, 3 in opposition boxCompleted 20/25 passes2 shots, 1 on target2nd PL goal this season – the other was in Arsenal’s previous home PL win, 83 days ago v Sheffield Utd pic.twitter.com/N7Vhwt50eV
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 26, 2020

MIKEL SPEAKS
Speaking on Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta says: “Obviously it’s a really big win for us.
“We’ve been really disappointed with the results recently, the players were suffering and the fans were suffering.
“But it’s a special day to play a London derby on Boxing Day at the Emirates. 
“We know how good Chelsea are, but we were the better team that’s why we won the game.
“When you start to see everything going against you; ten men, injuries, Covid issues and just how unlucky we’ve been, you start to question what you need to win a match!
“But I’m proud of the players for the performance they put in and that we can give something back to the fans.”

TIERNEY TALKS
Speaking on Sky Sports, Kieran Tierney says: “It’s a start isn’t it?
“We needed that win today and needed to give the fans something to be positive about.”I think we started better and didn’t wait until we went one down to take chances- we started on the front foot today and that’s the message that we’ve had during training.
“The half-time message was ‘keep going’, we were playing more positively and kept up the hard work in the second half.
“Fair play to Leno, he’s an outstanding keeper and saved us today.
“The win and three points gives us something to build on and helps us climb up the table, Chelsea are a good team, we knew it would be tough, so three points are important.”

XHAKA’S CRACKER
Arsenal are beaming from ear-to-ear and we can’t blame them.
They stopped Chelsea from moving into second and ended their winless run.
Swiss international Granit Xhaka has been heavily criticised for his performances of late, but he was a top performer today.
His cracker of a goal came during his first game back after his three-match ban.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
It’s the first win in eight games for Arsenal and their first home win in almost three months.
Chelsea and Arsenal players alike are checking with Saka if he meant his goal or if it was fluke!

FT: ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
94. Pulisic pushes right until the end as his quick feet enable him to find space in the box.
But his shot at goal is weak and Leno stops it with relative ease.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
93. Consolation stat for Chelsea.

⚽️ Tammy Abraham has scored 21 goals in 50 PL apps for Chelsea – only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (34) and Diego Costa (31) have scored more in their first 50 PL apps for the club pic.twitter.com/eQaxbwjrss
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 26, 2020

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
92. Gary Neville is full of praise for Saka and makes the youngster his man-of-the-match.
He has been impressive for Arsenal this evening on the right.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
90. Five added minutes at the Emirates.
Arsenal make another substitution as Mustafi replaces Lacazette in a bid to plug any gaps.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
90. WOW! Jorginho adds another penalty failure to his list.
With a hop-skip-and a jump, Jorginho taps the ball to his right but Leno reads it well and stops Chelsea from getting their second.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
89. Mari takes out Mount with a late challenge, giving Chelsea a glimmer of hope.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
89. PENALTY TO CHELSEA!

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
88. Chelsea could have really done with Giroud’s height and power in the air.
Silva fails to nod another ball downwards, instead sending it over the bar.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
87. A glimmer of hope for Chelsea, or is it too little too late?
Lampard’s side have another corner, thanks to some persistent work down the right wing.

ARSENAL 3-1 CHELSEA
85. After a lengthy VAR check, Chelsea have their first goal.
Hudson-Odoi picks out Abraham, with another decent cross from the right, Abraham taps the ball in from the six-yard area.

GOOOOAL
BUT WE’RE WAITING ON VAR…

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
84. A scramble in the box sees Elneny hit the post.
Arsenal have several attempts from all over the box before Chelsea eventually clear the danger.

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
82. Mistake by Mendy almost sees Arsenal get their fourth!
Zouma passes the ball back from the left, but Mendy’s first touch is straight at Laca.
Lacazette takes a second to steady himself but as he attempts to curl the ball into the goal Mendy makes an impressively athletic save as he leaps to his left.

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
82. Tierney is shown a yellow for wasting time.
The Scotland international took his sweet time to take a throw in deep in Arsenal’s half.

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
80. Great challenge from Willock stops Pulisic from racing towards the box.
Decent counter from Chelsea there, but is it too little too late?

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
79. Abraham headers the ball over the bar as Hudson Odoi sends another decent cross in from the right.
Abraham jumped early but leant back too far.

ARSENAL 3-0 CHELSEA
78. Goals from Laca, Xhaka and Saka look like they’ll be enough.
Chelsea have failed to respond, they have twelve minutes to do so…

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ARSENAL and Chelsea collide in this evening’s Boxing Day London derby, with both sides aching for a big win heading into the new year.
The Gunners are winless in seven in the league, while the Blues are trying to keep up their chase with he Premier League’s top four.
Start time: 5.30pm GMT
TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Premier League/Sky Sports Main Event
Arsenal XI: To follow
Chelsea XI: To follow

Follow ALL the coverage with our live blog below…

Arsenal’s last clash with Chelsea ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
What time does Arsenal vs Chelsea kick-off?
Arsenal’s big Premier League clash with Chelsea will get underway at 5.30pm UK time on Saturday, December 26.
The game will take place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
Chelsea’s clash with the Gunners will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
Frank Lampard’s side’s visit to Arsenal is available for live streaming both the Sky Go and NOW TV apps.

FESTIVE GREETINGS
Arsenal host Chelsea in this mammoth Boxing Day clash as the Gunners look to transform their fortunes and move away from the drop zone.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit in 15th place and have gone seven league games without a win.
While Chelsea come into this fixture with a confidence boost having seen off another London rival earlier this week.
Arsenal’s home form doesn’t give fans much hope, but they will fondly remember that their side managed to see off today’s opposition in the FA Cup final, this year, to lift the trophy for the 14th time.
While Arteta is finding himself as a man under pressure, he also has to juggle a growing list of injuries.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is unlikely to feature, due to a calf issue, while Gabriel Martinelli is not quite fighting fit.
Chelsea have their problems of their own, as Hakim Ziyech has a muscular problem, while defenders Ben Chilwell and Reece James both picked up knocks in recent fixtures.
Stick with us this afternoon as we bring you all the festive action from the Emirates!

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MANCHESTER UNITED kick off the Premier League Boxing Day schedule with a trip to Leicester City.
But the in-form Foxes sit in second place and head into the match buoyed by their 2-0 victory at Tottenham last weekend.

Jamie Vardy is fit to face Man Utd on Boxing Day
When is Leicester vs Man Utd?
Leicester vs Man Utd kicks off at 12.30pm GMT on Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December.
Leicester’s King Power Stadium plays host.
There will be no fans in attendance.
What TV channel and live stream is Leicester vs Man Utd on?
Leicester vs Man Utd will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 in the UK.
BT Sport 1 get their coverage underway from 11.30am.
How can I watch it for FREE?
EE customers can get a free three-month trial of BT Sport by texting SPORT to 150.
At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription.
Or you can cancel the trial at any time during the three months by texting STOP SPORT to 150.

Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo
What is the team news?

Brendan Rodgers has dismissed any concerns that star striker Jamie Vardy will be sidelined.
Vardy was taken off during the 2-0 win at Tottenham with a groin problem.
But Rodgers said in his team news briefing this week: “He will be fine for the game.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will assess his United squad following their midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final at Everton.

What have they said?
Roy Keane has insisted that Manchester United can challenge Liverpool for the title.
The Manchester United legend described Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side as the ‘best of the rest’.
Manchester United are third in the Premier League table behind Leicester and Liverpool.
The Red Devils put in a solid performance during the 6-2 win over Leeds on Sunday.

And Keane, 49, has predicted that United could be Liverpool’s closest challengers this season.
He told Sky Sports: “I don’t believe McTominay there when he said they don’t look at league tables.
“Everybody looks at league tables. Players and staff. That’s what you’re playing the game for.
“You want to know where you are obviously and where you’re heading to.
“It’s been a nice few days for United. They had to beat Sheffield United and Leeds just to put another marker down.
“I still think Liverpool are the strongest but United I think could be the best of the rest.” More