Wednesday 23 December 2015 11:29, UK
With three Premier League games played in a week over the Christmas period, it can be a pivotal time of the season for many clubs.
Leicester and Watford are proving to be just two of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season and as Chelsea and Manchester United continue to under-perform, it's been an unpredictable first half of the season.
With the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, who has the trickiest Christmas? We've taken the average current league position of each team's three opponents to work it all out…
Bournemouth
December 26, Crystal Palace (h): 6th
December 28, Arsenal (a): 2nd
January 2, Leicester (a): 1st
Average opponent position: 3
According to our averages, Bournemouth have the toughest Christmas schedule. However, Eddie Howe's side can take confidence from the fact they have won their last three games, following up victories over Chelsea and Manchester United with a 2-1 win at West Brom. Away trips to Arsenal and Leicester will surely prove tough tests, particularly with striker Josh King likely to be joining Callum Wilson in the physio room with a hamstring injury.
Chelsea
December 26, Watford (h): 7th
December 28, Man Utd (a): 5th
January 3, Crystal Palace (a): 6th
Average opponent position: 6
Guus Hiddink will take charge of Chelsea for the first time since 2009 when they face Watford at home on Boxing Day. The Dutchman's first priority will be to get fans back onside after the Jose Mourinho fallout was more than evident in Chelsea's 3-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday. Supporters will want maximum points from the next three matches to start climbing away from the relegation zone.
Watford
December 26, Chelsea (a): 15th
December 28, Tottenham (h): 4th
January 2, Man City (h): 3rd
Average opponent position: 7.3
Watford have the third-toughest Christmas schedule in the Premier League as they face two teams in the top four and defending champions Chelsea. But the Hornets have won their last four matches and the partnership between Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney has continued to impress.
Swansea
December 26, West Brom (h): 13th
December 28, Crystal Palace (a): 6th
January 2, Man Utd (a): 5th
Average opponent position: 8
Swansea look set to enter the Christmas period without a manager, meaning Alan Curtis will likely remain in charge for a third match in a row. His aim will be to get Swansea, who have not won since October, back up the table. But the Swans face a tough run of fixtures including trips to Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Newcastle
December 26, Everton (h): 10th
December 28, West Brom (a): 13th
January 2, Arsenal (a): 2nd
Average opponent position: 8.3
Newcastle were unable to make it three wins in a row as they were held to a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Aston Villa last Saturday. Steve McClaren's team are just two points off the relegation zone as it stands and face a couple of away trips over Christmas after hosting Everton on Boxing Day.
Southampton
December 26, Arsenal (h): 2nd
December 28, West Ham (a): 8th
January 2, Norwich (a): 16th
Average opponent position: 8.7
Manager Ronald Koeman was far from happy with his side's display against Tottenham as they were beaten 2-0 at St Mary's. However, Saints have the opportunity to return to winning ways against Arsenal on Boxing Day before trips to West Ham and Norwich. A successful run of form could see them climb back into European contention.
Leicester City
December 26, Liverpool (a): 9th
December 29, Man City (h): 3rd
January 2, Bournemouth (h): 14th
Average opponent position: 8.7
Leicester are flying at the moment as they sit top of Premier League, but will the run last? Their fine form will be put to the test on the road at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, followed by home ties against Manchester City and Bournemouth. Liverpool are winless in their last four matches so a response will be expected from Klopp. The Foxes then take on two possession-oriented sides in Man City and Bournemouth so they may look to keep their explosive counter-attacking approach going.
Manchester City
December 26, Sunderland (h): 19th
December 29, Leicester (a): 1st
January 2, Watford (a): 7th
Average opponent position: 9
City face two of the league's biggest surprise packages in their next three fixtures as they travel to leaders Leicester and then go to Watford, who are just one point off the Champions League places. They will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Arsenal with a home win over struggling Sunderland on Boxing Day.
Liverpool
December 26, Leicester (h): 1st
December 30, Sunderland (a): 19th
January 2, West Ham (a): 8th
Average opponent position: 9.3
Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Watford as "the most disappointing moment of my Liverpool life". He will be looking for a response against league leaders Leicester, struggling Sunderland and West Ham, who are making a bid for Europe. Liverpool have not won in their last four matches, and Klopp will want to ensure the "revolution" gets back on track quickly.
Stoke City
December 26, Man Utd (h): 5th
December 28, Everton (a): 10th
January 2, West Brom (a): 13th
Average opponent position: 9.3
A home tie against Manchester United followed by Everton and West Brom on the road makes for a tricky group of fixtures. Mark Hughes' team has dazzled going forward in some games, particularly in their 2-0 win against Manchester City on December 5, but have not won in their last two matches. Stoke will want to kick off their Christmas campaign by piling more misery on Louis Van Gaal at the Britannia Stadium.
Sunderland
December 26, Man City (a): 3rd
December 30, Liverpool (h): 9th
January 2, Aston Villa (h): 20th
Average opponent position: 10.7
It's been a mixed campaign for Sam Allardyce since he took charge of Sunderland in late October and a trip to Aston Villa on January 2 looks key after clashes with Manchester City and Liverpool. Avoiding relegation is clearly the target for Sunderland this season, and Allardyce will want a response from his side after three losses on the spin.
Everton
December 26, Newcastle (a): 17th
December 28, Stoke (h): 11th
January 3, Tottenham (h): 4th
Average opponent position: 10.7
Everton have not won since November 21 and have dropped down to 10th place. Newcastle followed by Stoke and Tottenham makes up a combination of teams with different aspirations for the season. But with Everton currently six points off the last Champions League spot, at least two wins may change the complexion of the race to fourth.
Tottenham
December 26, Norwich (h): 16th
December 28, Watford (a): 7th
January 3, Everton (a): 10th
Average opponent position: 11
Tottenham currently sit in fourth place but Manchester United and Crystal Palace are breathing down their necks with just goal difference separating the three clubs. Spurs' second game of the Christmas period is against Watford, who are just one point behind. It will make for interesting viewing to see if Tottenham's young side can thrive under the pressure.
Norwich
December 26, Tottenham (a): 4th
December 28, Aston Villa (h): 20th
January 2, Southampton (h): 12th
Average opponent position: 12
Norwich's disappointing last few weeks took a positive turn after a shock 2-1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend. Aston Villa will be one game in particular that Alex Neil will want to get a result from but the United win may give them an appetite for another surprise result at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day.
West Ham
December 26, Aston Villa (a): 20th
December 28, Southampton (h): 12th
January 2, Liverpool (h): 9th
Average opponent position: 13.7
West Ham have drawn their last four matches, but manager Slaven Bilic will be pleased to see some key players returning from injuries. Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll look set to make comebacks while Enner Valencia is expected to see more game time after an ankle injury. An away trip to Aston Villa could be a good opportunity for West Ham to start their Christmas schedule on the right foot.
Arsenal
December 26, Southampton (a): 12th
December 28, Bournemouth (h): 14th
January 2, Newcastle (h): 17th
Average opponent position: 14.3
Arsene Wenger will be pleased to see his Christmas schedule consists of three teams in the bottom half of the table, and with just one away game against a Southampton side who have not won since November 7. Bournemouth and Newcastle have both experienced an upturn in form recently but Arsenal underlined their title credentials with a win over Manchester City on Monday Night Football.
Aston Villa
December 26, West Ham (h): 8th
December 28, Norwich (a): 16th
January 2, Sunderland (a): 19th
Average opponent position: 14.3
Aston Villa's Premier League status is becoming increasingly under threat as they are 10 points away from safety. West Ham at home is a game Villa will be desperate to win, but trips to Norwich and Sunderland could also be key for Remi Garde's side.
Manchester United
December 26, Stoke (a): 11th
December 28, Chelsea (h): 15th
January 2, Swansea (h): 18th
Average opponent position: 14.7
Van Gaal is under immense pressure after his side's home loss against Norwich extended Manchester United's winless streak to six games in all competitions. United's first chance to put the record right is away at Stoke, who have only beaten United once in Premier League history. Neither Chelsea nor Swansea were expected to be in their current league positions at the start of the season, and United will look to profit on their struggles as Van Gaal looks to ease the evident tension surrounding his position.
West Brom
December 26, Swansea (a): 18th
December 28, Newcastle (h): 17th
January 2, Stoke (h): 11th
Average opponent position: 15.3
West Brom have shown their competitive nature yet again this season under head coach Tony Pulis and will want to pick up points against two teams currently in a battle to avoid relegation. The Baggies are five points off Swansea in 18th place, and could distance themselves from the bottom three with a positive run of results over Christmas.
Crystal Palace
December 26, Bournemouth (a): 14th
December 28, Swansea (h): 18th
January 3, Chelsea (h): 15th
Average opponent position: 15.7
Crystal Palace have been surprising critics again this season, sitting in sixth place with just goal difference separating them from fourth spot. According to our averages, Palace have technically the most favourable run of matches since they are not facing a team any higher than 14th in the league.
