“I feel it in my fingers…feel it in my toes! Premier league is all around me, and so the feeling grows…” - Gary Neville (probably)

Thanks for taking a break from your annual Christmas movie binge to read the Prem Report. In honor of the most loved and hated Christmas film, (Love Actually) we’ve added in a heaping amount of references to keep you lolling/hovering over that unsubscribe button another day.

So come on, “Let’s get the s–t kicked out of us by VAR.”

-Gabe

P.S. No Extra Slice today so you can focus on last minute Christmas shopping. Don’t forget the sprig of Holly in your gift wrapping… Tis but the work of a moment.

In this edition

• Fixtures

• Three Things to Watch

Matchweek 17 Fixtures

Saturday, December 20

⚫ Newcastle United vs 🦁 Chelsea – 4:30 AM – USA
Think of this game as the Love Actually storyline we actually like; The Jamie and Aurelia one obviously.
 
Enzo Maresca’s side appear to have steadied themselves after a turbulent spell, snapping a four-game winless run with a controlled 2-0 win over Everton before backing it up with a 3-1 EFL Cup victory at Cardiff. Pedro Neto continues to be a difference-maker away from home, already matching his career-best league goal tally, while Chelsea’s defence has quietly become one of the league’s most reliable, with eight clean sheets and five shutouts in their last seven league matches.

Newcastle, are a bit bruised and stretched at the back. Eddie Howe’s side have now conceded in nine straight league games and were further hit by injuries to Dan Burn and Tino Livramento, compounding concerns after a disappointing derby defeat to Sunderland. Home form remains their lifeline, though. The Magpies have scored twice in each of their last five league games at St James’ Park and historically this fixture heavily favours the host, with Newcastle winning their last three home league meetings against Chelsea.

With Caicedo returning for the Blues and defensive absences piling up for Newcastle, expect goals to rain down in a small Portugese cafe.

🍒 AFC Bournemouth vs 🟣 Burnley – 7:00 AM – Peacock

🐧 Brighton & Hove Albion vs 🐈‍⬛ Sunderland – 7:00 AM – Peacock

🌙 Manchester City vs ⚒️ West Ham United – 7:00 AM – Peacock

🐺 Wolverhampton Wanderers vs 🐝 Brentford – 7:00 AM – Peacock

🐓 Tottenham Hotspur vs 🔴 Liverpool – 9:30 AM – USA
“Goals actually are, all around us”
No fixture in the competition’s history has produced more goals (206), and Liverpool have scored in 25 of their last 26 league meetings with Spurs, including 19 straight. Last season’s clashes were particularly brutal, with Arne Slot’s side running up scorelines of 6-3 and 5-1, firing 11 goals and 49 shots across the two games. Even when Liverpool don’t hit top gear, they almost always find the net in this matchup, and with at least three goals scored in 14 of the last 16 league meetings, another open contest feels inevitable.

Defensive fragility for both teams spices things up: Liverpool’s away form remains volatile, with the Reds either keeping clean sheets or conceding two or more goals in 11 of their last 17 road games. Spurs, meanwhile, have already lost four league matches by 3+ goals this year and have now reached double digits for home league defeats in a calendar year for just the third time in club history. Injuries loom large for Thomas Frank, who could be without as many as eight players, while Slot is trying to get the spark back with Salah (who is most likely listening to his new Joni Mitchell CD.)

🔵 Everton vs 🔫 Arsenal – 12:00 PM – NBC

🦉 Leeds United vs 🦅 Crystal Palace – 12:00 PM – Peacock

Sunday, December 21

⭕ Aston Villa vs 🟥 Manchester United – 8:30 AM – USA
Villa arrive chasing a 10th straight win in all competitions, something the club hasn’t achieved since 1914, and they’ve also won nine consecutive home games at Villa Park. Unai Emery has quietly turned their home ground into a fortress again, putting him on the brink of becoming just the second Villa manager to oversee two separate 10-game home winning streaks.

United, meanwhile, are playing some of their most aggressive attacking football of the season. They’ve posted their two highest attacking outputs in back-to-back matches, blowing Wolves away before a wild 4-4 draw with Bournemouth that showcased both their potential and their fragility. Ruben Amorim’s side were electric early against the Cherries, piling up shots and box touches, but defensive lapses nearly cost them again late.

With key absences through suspension and AFCON, more responsibility will fall on Matheus Cunha, who leads United in direct ball carries into shooting positions, and Bruno Fernandes, who is quietly on the brink of a Premier League record for assists in consecutive away matches.

Monday, December 22

🏠 Fulham vs 🌲 Nottingham Forest – 12:00 PM – USA

^{Times are in Pacific Standard Time and channels are based in the U.S.
Stats are supplied by Opta Analyst.}

Three Things to Watch

(links👇 )

1. ⛔ Best Throw-in Of The Year 

2. 💯 How Erling’s Keeping it 100

3. 😭 Jack Grealish Stopppppp 💕🔵 Everton vs 🔫 Arsenal – 12:00 PM – NBC

   🦉 Leeds United vs 🦅 Crystal Palace – 12:00 PM – Peacock