What to look out for in the English Premier League this Boxing Day as Arsenal host Chelsea, and Leicester and Manchester United battle it out for 2nd place

Arguably the most important game of the day, whoever wins this one will have a firm grasp on second place.

Leicester currently sit behind Liverpool, and a win would move them within one point of the leaders and four ahead of United.

Should United win, however, it would leapfrog Leicester into second, and with a game in hand, put itself within touching distance of the top.

While Leicester might be favorites given current form, the Foxes haven't bested United since September 2014, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side winning nine of their 12 meetings since.

After avoiding relegation by the skins of its teeth last season, Aston Villa currently sit plum in ninth place with two games in hand over the pack.

Dean Smith's side have impressed with its exciting, attacking brand of soccer – most notably in its 7-2 victory over Liverpool – and will be hoping to do the same against hit-and-miss Crystal Palace.

The Eagles sit 13th, and though at times they have dazzled, their leaky defence — which has conceded 25 goals already this term — is likely to be its downfall against the Clarets.

Fulham started the new season slowly, but has put together a string of good results in recent weeks to propel itself out of the relegation zone.

Southampton, on the other hand, has been consistently excellent all the way through. A win over Scott Parker's side would be enough to see it return to the top four.

The Saints should prove too much for the Cottagers, however, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be very aware of the threat posed by winger Ademola Lookman, who has played a huge part in Fulham's recent up-turn in form.

A decade ago, this would have been one of the most exciting fixtures of the season.

Now, however, Chelsea's trip to Arsenal should result in a routine victory for Frank Lampard's side, with the Gunners faltering at every turn this term and currently sitting 15th having not won a Premier League game since the start of November.

Mikel Arteta's side has been so bad that newly appointed West Bromwich Albion boss Sam Allardyce believes it is contenders for relegation.

Just three places and five points separate Manchester City and Newcastle as it stands, which is almost unthinkable given the pair's differing exploits last term.

Both sides have won just one of their last three top flight games, and have been struggling in front of goal, each having scored just 19 and 17 times respectively this term.

Pep Guardiola's side has the far superior defensive record, however, having conceded just 12 to Newcastle's 22. With the Magpies' without the dangerous Allan Saint-Maximin due to the coronavirus, it is likely to have real trouble breaking down City's back four.

Sheffield United is en route to becoming known as the worst side in Premier League history after losing 12 and winning none of its opening 14 games, putting it on track to get just six points for the whole season.

That would be even worse than the 11 points Derby County secured in the 2008 season.

The Yorkshire side is unlikely to get its first win when it welcomes high-flying Everton, who will be bouncing with confidence after recent wins over Chelsea, Leicester, and Arsenal.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was born in Sheffield and signed for the Toffees from United in 2016, has scored 11 times already this season.

Add to that tally on Saturday and he will, perhaps reluctantly, sink his former side further into trouble.

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