The key storylines from the Premier League on Boxing Day

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Jose Mourinho - Man United

The festive football begins at 12:30pm

There are eight games from the Premier League this afternoon on what promises to be an action-packed day in the top-flight.

Manchester United will be looking to reverse their poor recent form when they host Burnley, while there’s a relegation tussle between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United at the Vitality Stadium.

They’re just two of the stories that make up the Coral News Team’s look at the Boxing Day action…

Relegation six-pointer

One of the big games of the day sees AFC Bournemouth host West Ham United. The two sides are separated by just one place and one point in the table ahead of the fixture at the Vitality Stadium. Victory for either team would provide a huge boost going into the New Year.

Despite Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle United, it’s the Hammers who are in the better form. The East Londoners have improved under the leadership of David Moyes and have picked up seven points from their last four matches.. They look more solid at the back and will fancy their chances against a Bournemouth side winless in eight matches.

The Irons have won two of their last three games against the Cherries and are 33/20 to prevail once again. Eddie Howe’s side are 17/20 for all three points, while the draw is 11/5. Individually, Marko Arnautovic has three goals in his last five matches. Coral go 23/10 that he finds the back of the net again today.

Tricky task for Man United

Manchester United have found things a little difficult of late. Since their derby defeat to Manchester City, the Red Devils have limped to wins over AFC Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion. More recently, they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Bristol City and held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester City on Saturday.

All in all, it hasn’t been a very merry Christmas for Jose Mourinho and co so far. That will be music to the ears of Sean Dyche and Burnley. The Clarets boast the Premier League’s fourth-best defensive record and the sixth-most impressive away record overall. The Lancashire side like to keep it tight. And that could cause problems for misfiring United.

While it’s unlikely that the visitors will spring a shock at 14/1, there could be something in Burnley or Draw at 3/1. With goalmouth action likely to be at a premium, Under 2.5 Goals looks well-priced at 21/20. Alternatively, you can back Man United to Win to Nil at 4/5.

Can Watford bounce-back?

Watford v Leicester City is a game that has produced plenty of drama in recent years. Riyad Mahrez scored a spectacular late-winner at Vicarage Road to confirm the Foxes’ title ambitions in 2016. While three years earlier, Troy Deeney bagged a memorable last-minute strike to send the Hornets to the Championship play-off final.

The Coral News Team think this afternoon’s encounter could be a similarly memorable affair. Both of these sides contain plenty of individual flair and will be eager to kick-on from poor recent results. Watford are winless in six matches, while Leicester haven’t tasted victory since a 4-1 rout of Southampton in mid-December.

Given the Hertfordshire side’s tribulations at home this season, it’s the visitors who get the nod at 19/10. Marco Silva’s side will also have to be extremely wary of Mahrez. The Algerian has netted three goals in his last three matches against the Hornets and is 12/5 to extend that run this afternoon. In what should be a goal-laden tussle, Leicester and Both Teams to Score also makes appeal at 4/1.

Big match previews, betting tips and transfer news – Coral have it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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