MY ACCOUNT
There’s a superb festive fixture list in store for Premier League fans — assuming coronavirus outbreaks don’t claim more games.
Prior to their trip to Anfield being postponed, I was really worried about Leeds facing Liverpool.
Injuries and coronavirus have really taken their toll on Marcelo Bielsa’s squad in recent weeks and their current line-up is some way off the standards of the usual first XI.
I appreciate Bielsa is clearly a top coach. But to me, a failure to refine his approach when key players are missing is just pure stubbornness.
It’s not even a case of needing to go to the big clubs and sit back. They just need to stop leaving glaring gaps everywhere — the Premier League is too high a standard for them not to get punished.
Liverpool looked unusually open at the back against Tottenham but that was undoubtedly down to the absence of Virgil van Dijk, who was one of a handful of players to test positive.
While it is true Jurgen Klopp’s squad doesn’t have the same depth as Manchester City’s, any side would miss someone of the Dutchman’s quality.
The jury is out
Spurs take on Crystal Palace in their first festive clash and I’m still not sure what to expect of Antonio Conte’s men.
They’re brilliant on the break and have the forward players to exploit space and take chances — it was great to watch their 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
However, the real test is going to be the less glamorous fixtures where they are expected to win, like this clash.
Palace hit a bit of a rocky patch but have bounced back well and much credit has to go to Patrick Vieira.
They’ve had a drastic style change, become less reliant on Wilfried Zaha and, most importantly, nobody is talking about them being in a relegation battle.
A London derby where they are the underdogs could suit them to a tee.
City too slick for Foxes
In terms of the title race, I expect Manchester City to have too much for Leicester — but I wouldn’t be so sure about Chelsea going to Aston Villa.
The Blues have had a lot of players missing but this run of bad form isn’t just a slump. The goals have dried up and they haven’t looked themselves for a little while now.
Obviously, much will depend on how coronavirus impacts both squads but there is no reason why the hosts won’t fancy turning them over.
Steven Gerrard continues to impress in his new role and a full house at Villa Park is one of the best atmospheres you could wish to play in.
It’s a tough trip to make in Chelsea’s current predicament.
Pressure on at the bottom
Boxing Day looks set to be a tough one for Norwich and Newcastle, with the two strugglers facing Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.
With that in mind, their second games of the Christmas period — both away trips — are likely to take on even more importance.
The Canaries go to Palace and it’s fair to say that Dean Smith’s quick start, going unbeaten in his first three outings, already feels like a long time ago.
But I don’t think he’ll be panicking. He knew the scale of the task he was taking on and that form when he first arrived was unsustainable.
It’s all about finding a way to end those barren runs when you’re at the bottom because you aren’t going to be able to avoid them.
Norwich have gone three games without scoring heading into Boxing Day, so even finding the net would boost confidence.
Newcastle head to Everton next Thursday and will fancy their chances of getting a result.
For me, the most important factor in their survival bid is going to be strengthening the right areas in January.
Seeing the Magpies linked with forwards galore this week has just made me shake my head in disbelief. That is the last area in need of additions in their current squad!
In Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, they have quality goalscorers — it’s the 41 conceded in their opening 18 matches that has left them bang in trouble.
Boosting the backline must be the priority and I would hope the new owners are being advised properly in that regard.
If I had to predict right now which teams will drop out of the league, I would have Watford in there along with Norwich.
As for that third and final spot, it could be one of several teams. I’ll probably change my mind on that one a few times before the season is out!
Have a great Christmas and enjoy the football.
Joleon Lescott was talking to Matthew Hill
