The bottom two teams in the Premier League clash at Carrow Road in what has become a massive game for both sides’ survival aspirations. Norwich prop up the table and are eight points adrift of 17th-placed Watford while Bournemouth sit one spot above their opponents with a six-point gap.
Leeds will be hoping to put the pressure on their promotion rivals when they head to QPR in Saturday’s early Championship game. The roles were reversed last week when Brentford won the lunchtime kick-off before Leeds and West Brom dropped points so the Whites will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Tottenham are in need of a fillip following a tough run of results and should be up for Tuesday’s televised FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough. Spurs had over 70 per cent of possession when drawing 1-1 at the Riverside and are again expected to control play for long periods in London.
Bournemouth and Watford played out a goalless stalemate at Vicarage Road in late October and another tight tussle is expected in the return fixture. Four of the Cherries’ last five Premier League matches have produced under 2.5 goals, while the same applies to six of the Hornets’ last seven away games.
Monaco have enjoyed a decent revival in Ligue 1 this term and new boss Robert Moreno will hope to be competitive when visiting PSG on Sunday. The former Spain caretaker manager began his reign with a dramatic cup triumph over Reims, making it 10 wins in 15 matches for France’s fallen giants.
Brentford are expected to secure a seventh straight home win when entertaining QPR in Saturday’s televised Championship match. The Hoops have lost all of their league games against the current top six in the table this season, including a 3-1 home defeat in the reverse fixture of this West London derby.
As the Premier League season passes the halfway point, it looks like the title race may already be over. However, there are certain clubs – and individuals – in the top flight who seem to be specialists in throwing away a strong position, whether that be a commanding lead in the table or a cup run.
David Moyes has been hired to keep West Ham in the Premier League but he won’t shy away from also chasing a good FA Cup run, starting out at Gillingham. The Scot took Everton to the final back in 2009 and will be keen to build on a flying start to his second spell in charge of the Hammers.
Inter Milan are 3/2 favourites to sign Christian Eriksen during the current transfer window after Jose Mourinho admitted the Tottenham midfielder’s future remains uncertain. The 27-year-old Denmark international is free to talk to other clubs after failing to agree on a new contract with Spurs.
Newcastle have a crippling injury list ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Rochdale and that could make them worth opposing at Spotland. Dale are only 18th in League One but did take Manchester United to penalties in the EFL Cup after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Norwich begin the new year at the bottom of the Premier League table but will be hoping to kick-start their survival bid by beating Crystal Palace at Carrow Road. The Canaries have gone seven games without a win, while Palace have won just once in five, so a tight tussle looks to be on the cards.
Sheff Utd have a great chance to continue their fairytale campaign by securing a fourth straight Premier League success when entertaining Watford. The Hornets are coming off a win over Manchester United but that was only their second victory of the season and they remain bottom of the table.
Preston will travel to Leeds in good spirits on Boxing Day and we feel it may be worth backing the visitors to get something out of this game. North End have picked up seven points from their last three Championship matches, while United are coming off a couple of patchy performances.
Norwich have fond memories of Villa Park and can give their Premier League survival hopes a boost at the expense of fellow strugglers Aston Villa. The Canaries lifted the Championship title following a 2-1 win here on the final day of last season and will again hope to leave with all three points.