Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Season’s Greetings! As it’s Christmas eve that means it’s time to break down and preview the Boxing Day slate of Premier League matches. Liverpool head into the festive period top of the table by four whole points now. On Wednesday, they’ll host a Newcastle United side that’s lower table, but also five points clear of the relegation zone.
Let’s take a look at the injury and fitness situation for both sides, starting with the hosts. The Reds have three long-term injury absentees: midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, defender Joe Gomez and defender Joel Matip.
Meanwhile midfielder Naby Keita is a doubt after leaving Friday night’s victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers early due to injury. There is good news though- defender Trent Alexander-Arnold seems set to return to action. Switching over to the visiting side, Rafael Benitez will be without Karl Darlow and Ciaran Clark.
Also, due to Asian Cup duty, Ki Sung-yueng will be unavailable. However, Jonjo Shelvey and Florain Lejeune could be ready to play, should they pass their late fitness tests before kickoff.
Two of the last three matches have resulted in a draw, and given Rafa’s penchant for parking the bus against the big boys this season, this match might end up closer than the odds-makers and projectors seem to think it will.
Newcastle has a stout defense that could keep scoring in this match low.
Liverpool FC vs Newcastle United FYIs
Kick-off: 3pm (BST), 10am (EST) Wednesday December 26, Anfield
Google Result Probability: Liverpool win- 83%, Draw 12%, Newcastle win- 5%
Odds via Sport Pesa: Liverpool win 4/25, draw 27/4, Newcastle 17/1
Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Jurgen Klopp Preview Press Conference Video:
Prediction: Liverpool 1, Newcastle 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.