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Watch the Premier League on Boxing Day live on Sportsnet
It's the most wonderful time of the year in the Premier League.
The holiday season is upon us, which means a plethora of matches over the next few days, including eight games on Boxing Day!
The festive period always tests a club's depth and mental strength, plus it usually determines where a team can finish at the end of the season.
Here is a full breakdown of the Boxing Day matches.
TOTTENHAM vs. SOUTHAMPTON
Tottenham could finish this round of games in fourth place, but it could also conceivably drop to seventh with a defeat at home to the Saints on Tuesday.
That is how important this match is for Spurs. They have only lost one of their last six Premier League meetings with Southampton and have earned three wins from their last four games overall.
However, Southampton are in desperate need of a win as well because they sit just three points above the relegation zone. Even though they are not in trouble yet, Southampton has only scored multiple goals in three Premier League games this season.
With Harry Kane coming off a hat-trick performance on the weekend, the Saints will need Charlie Austin to keep up his hot form. Austin has scored five goals in five starts.
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MANCHESTER UNITED vs. BURNLEY
Jose Mourinho is losing his patience with Manchester United in Year 2. He labelled the team's performance in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City as "childish" after United failed to convert several chances and coughed up a late equalizer in second-half stoppage time.
It will not be any easier on Tuesday for United as it faces Burnley, who is fresh off a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham. James Tarkowski will serve the second game of a three-match ban, while Chris Wood and Robbie Brady remain injured.
Theoretically, the Red Devils should be able to overcome an overachieving Burnley at home given those key absentees. However, Chris Smalling is hurt, so Marcos Rojo will likely partner Phil Jones in the centre of the defence.
It's imperative that Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku keep firing in the goals. When they struggle, the side tends to follow suit and that leads to an angry Mourinho.
LIVERPOOL vs. SWANSEA CITY
Liverpool and Swansea need wins for very different reasons.
Swansea City is without a manager and is running out of optimism. Therefore, a shock win over Liverpool on Boxing Day could really fuel a team in desperate need of a boost. The Swans have only conceded 25 goals, which is superior to half of the other sides in the bottom half of the table. It's the attack that has struggled, and it won't be any easier without Wilfried Bony.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will be four days removed from a thrilling 3-3 draw with Arsenal. That result encapsulated the best and worst of the Reds this season; they are wonderful going forward, but are error-prone at the back.
The Liverpool front four of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will clearly be the danger men. This game entirely depends on the Merseyside club staying compact at the back. It has only allowed three goals at Anfield, so with Swansea's toothless attack, the hosts should walk out with the victory, and in style as well.
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NEWCASTLE UNITED vs. MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City is two games away from equalling the consecutive wins record in the top-five European leagues set by Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich. City has 17 and will surely make it 18 heading into New Year's Eve.
Newcastle earned a vital 3-2 win over West Ham United on Saturday, but it was mired in a nine-match winless run before the weekend. City has easily disposed of its opponents during this rampage, scoring a whopping 57 goals while conceding 11.
Despite the dominance, it's been breathtaking to watch City in recent weeks. The never-ending movement in the final third, the quick passing, the technique and clinical finishing leave everyone speechless.
Rafa Benitez is a smart defensive coach when the situation calls for it, so he could conjure up a plan to shut down Man City on Wednesday. But few have managed to accomplish that feat this season, no matter the approach.
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CRYSTAL PALACE vs. ARSENAL
Roy Hodgson has already worked his magic at Crystal Palace, as it is currently riding an eight-game unbeaten run. The Eagles face a stern test to extend that streak to nine when they host the Gunners on Thursday.
Arsenal is a difficult to read these days, but it will be motivated as it tries to avenge their embarrassing loss in April at Selhurst Park. The Gunners have only won once in their last five Premier League games, and the way Palace is playing, this will be tricky.
Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroid will be out for Arsenal until the new year. Joel Ward could return for Palace, while Christian Benteke will be fresh after serving a one-game ban over the weekend.
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