English Premier League Boxing Day Fixtures PT 1

The Boxing Day Fixtures for the English Premier League are almost upon us and things are definitely starting to get interesting at the top of the English Premier League ladder. Expect quite a few twists and turns along the way during the festive period since it’s usually the point where teams begin staking their claims for outright runs at survival, a European place or the championship trophy itself. 

The Christmas fixtures are one of the unique things about English football that give it such a distinct character. While many believe that it ultimately leads to fewer and fewer great performances from England at international tournaments and probably keeps certain stars out of the league since they can't handle the physical toll that this quick succession of matches takes on ones body year after year. 

Jose Mourinho’s spectre is looming large over Manchester United right now with Louis Van Gaal’s men playing some of the most boring football ever seen at Old Trafford. It would be one thing if they were actually getting results by only getting two shots on target in every match, the simple fact remains that they have now lost four on the bounce and with the availability of The Special One, another embarrassing loss at Stoke could see United with a new manager coming into the new year. 

United actually kick the action off at The Britannia Stadium and they come into the match as the betting favourites with a 13/10 listing. Stoke City are available at an 11/5 price and you reckon that there will be more than a few punters who are willing to put some of their hard earned down on them to get the outright result. 

The draw can be backed at a 21/10 margin and looks good from a neutral perspective. You really do have to think that Van Gaal may have lost the dressing room at United and  that the clubs executive management will simply realize that investing in Jose (who is reportedly ready to take a pay cut to secure the position) could be worth the ultimate payoff at the end.