English Premier League: The Mid-Week Matches Preview

SteemSports Presenter: @the23chronicles

SteemSports Editor/Writer: @writingamigo

The December rush of matches has started, and for the remaining weeks of the year, we will see a lot of English Premier League action. While most managers, especially Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, have complained about the busy December schedule, the English FA is still resolute in providing lots of matches for the fans during the holidays!

After a weekend to forget for most of the top clubs, they will be hoping to return to the winning way, as most face relatively nonchallenging opponents.

Manchester City will look to maintain their march to the Premier League title when they visit relegation-threatened Swansea City on Wednesday. The leaders may welcome back star striker Sergio Aguero, who was left on the bench for Sunday's 2-1 win over Manchester United in the derby.

Before then, Chelsea will hope to put pressure on second-placed United by winning at Huddersfield Town, a place where the Red Devils have already been beaten. Avoiding the same fate will require the Blues rebounding from their 1-0 loss to West Ham United on Saturday.

The Hammers will be chasing another notable victory over a top-six club when they host Arsenal on Wednesday, with the Gunners fresh off leaving it late to snatch a point in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Here are the fixtures in full:

Tuesday, December 12

Burnley vs. Stoke City, 7:45 p.m. GMT
Crystal Palace vs. Watford, 8 p.m. GMT
Huddersfield Town vs. Chelsea, 8 p.m. GMT

Wednesday, December 13

Newcastle United vs. Everton, 7:45 p.m. GMT
Southampton vs. Leicester City, 7:45 p.m. GMT
Swansea City vs. Manchester City, 7:45 p.m. GMT
Liverpool vs. West Bromwich Albion, 8 p.m. GMT
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth, 8 p.m. GMT
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, 8 p.m. GMT
West Ham United vs. Arsenal, 8 p.m. GMT

Huddersfield Town vs. Chelsea

Chelsea struggled to get their key attackers involved at the London Stadium, with striker Alvaro Morata and winger Eden Hazard both out of sorts. They will be without their main striker, as Conte has said he is resting him and looking at other attacking options for the Huddersfield game.

Huddersfield won't be easy to beat since they've made a habit of making life difficult for the big clubs at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers have beaten United 2-1 and pushed leaders City all the way recently.

Swansea City vs. Manchester City

City's march to the title seems unstoppable after Guardiola's army out-passed and outclassed United in the derby. Midfielder David Silva was at the heart of everything good his team did at Old Trafford.

Swansea should be prepared to soak up the pressure and try to counter at pace. The latter is something strikers Wilfried Bony and Tammy Abraham can help with. They each boast enough speed and power to trouble City at the back. Bony in particular will have a point to prove after enduring a disappointing spell at City before returning to the Swans in the summer. Ultimately, the leaders' midfield quality should ensure yet another win.

West Ham United vs. Arsenal

David Moyes will be plotting the second upset in succession for the Hammers after his team's shocking win over Chelsea. It was a result made possible by a rigid defensive block and smart use of pace and aerial power on the break.

Arnautovic and Michail Antonio are physical enough to cause headaches for an Arsenal defense which is way too generous to its opponents lately. The Gunners gifted two goals to United in a 3-1 defeat and were a comedy of errors as Charlie Austin scored for Southampton.

Wenger may be content to downplay the issues, but there's no doubt Arsenal's suspect defending could cost them a place in the top four. Fortunately, there is still enough craft and skill in attacking areas for the Gunners to edge a close game and earn a much-needed win.

Manchester United vs. Bournemouth

After defeat in the Manchester derby on Sunday, Jose Mourinho's side will need to bounce back, and the pressure will be on Romelu Lukaku to provide the goals. After a superb start to his United career, the Belgium international has scored just once in his last six outings for the Red Devils.

The striker was guilty of errors before both City goals on Sunday, twice giving the ball away in the box, and also missed a glaring chance to equalize late on, when he was denied by goalkeeper Ederson from close range.

The return to fitness of Zlatan Ibrahimovic also suggests Lukaku's place in the team is under threat if he continues to fail to find the back of the net. However, a strong performance against Bournemouth would do a lot to silence his critics and restore the striker's confidence ahead of the busy festive schedule.