BOXING DAY

Stoke 2-2 MAN UTD 2.45pm

Twice I entered the above prediction, and each time the first score inadvertently went 3. 3-2 to Stoke. Probably the kind of thing many Man United fans want now, for, in such a result, lies manager Louis van Gaal’s fate. The Dutch tactician will visit Britannia Stadium with one boot left at the entrance with a sack hanging delicately by his neck after a run of six matches without a victory. The Red Devils are insipid, out of ideas and just play like a bunch of loonies waiting for only their salary. Britannia is a place infamous for hard games and Van Gaal, without suspended midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be in for a frustrating lunchtime Boxing Day match.

SPURS 3-1 NORWICH 5pm

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways last weekend when Maurichio Pochettino returned to St Mary’s Stadium and bagged all the three points. But more sweeter a victory was for Norwich City, who limited Man United to only two shots on target in their 2-1 victory over the Red Devils. Now the Canneries take that momentum White Hart Lane but manager Alex Neil is wary of so much that the North London side has on the cards. Spurs are looking on form and will win this.

Man UTD 1-2 NORWICH 5pm

I am going for the gauntlet here. Norwich have not won at Old Trafford since August 1989, have lost 4-0 on each of their last three visits and go into today’s game in the relegation zone. But they play against a Manchester U what scoring feels like. He will score here today, but can United stop Norwich from scoring?

CHELSEA 2-2 WATFORD 5pm

There was a time Guus Hiddink was nicknamed Houdini after the French magician. The Dutch tactician had the tactical nous of a magician and he always turned crap into gold. That time is far in the distance as the Hiddink having a second stint at Chelsea is the same man who resigned as Netherlands manager after failing to produce results. Sadly, his first game is against a Watford side with two tireless horses in Odion Ighalo and skipper Troy Deeney.

SAINTS 2-1 ARSENAL 5pm

Southampton ended Arsenal’s title aspirations last season with a 2-0 crushing defeat of the North London side. But while the Saints have been struggling, Arsenal are coming into the fixture on the back of four consecutive wins. They want revenge. They won’t get it. Saints will beat them again.

L’Pool 3-1 LEICESTER

The last time Leicester City lost, they were facing Arsenal. The surprise table leaders have since forgotten what it feels like to lose a game. But this trip to Anfield will be a tough test considering that Jurgen Klopp badly needs a win after to arrest the rot at Anfield. jacobs.seaman@newtimes.co.rw