Nothing is for certain nowadays when it comes to writing a preview of a football match. Covid issues that have struck the teams could cause for matches to be postponed only hours before the opening whistle. However, let’s hope the matches do happen and the most competitive league continues at least at a slow but steady pace.Pep Guardiola’s men have an easy task against the Magpies of Newcastle. Newcastle United did take an early lead against Liverpool on Thursday night, but the advantage was short lived and reality came striking back. They eventually went down 3-1 and Eddie Howe’s side continue their desperate survival battle to get out of the bottom three.Elland Road got to see the Brazilian Thierry HenryAt least the Toons are not facing Sergio Aguero, who scored 15 goals against them. Man City fans and players paid tribute this week to their former striker after cardiac problems forced him to retire. City’s previous domestic match was their third league win by at least a five-goal margin this term – Tuesday’s 7-0 demolition of Leeds United. That way Guardiola become the quickest manager to oversee 500 Premier League goals – his sky blue squads scored those in 207 matches.As they look to extend a seven-match unbeaten sequence in league away fixtures (W6, D1), the reigning champions will try and keep their at-least-a-point lead ahead of Liverpool, especially as another victory will keep them on summit. The Cityzens would surely love being at the top on Christmas day – the only two times they previously topped the table at Christmas, they went on to win the title.Near Birmingham, Wolverhampton Wanderers will try and take advantage of Chelsea’s poor form lately. The Wolves showed massive resilience against both Man City and Liverpool in previous rounds and the way Blues are performing in the last couple of weeks – Bruno Lage’s men certainly have something to hope for. Not to mention that this could be their potential third home win over Chelsea in four seasons.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Making it just one win from their last four competitive games, pre-match favourites Chelsea are coming to Molineux after dropping points against a weakened Everton (1-1) in midweek. Although they will be missing some key players due to the current Covid crisis, Thomas Tuchel’s men could be due a victory this weekend, having alternated between wins and losses across their last five league visits to Wolves.Even though Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are missing from the rotation, Chelsea’s attacking potency is in no doubt – the ‘new Frank Lampard’ as the Blues’ fans like to call him – Mason Mount – has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances.On paper, this next one sounds like a heavyweight clash. As the Premier League deals with a tsunami of Covid-19 cases and match cancellations – depleted Tottenham Hotspur, who have had three successive matches called off due to the pandemic, welcome high-flying Liverpool.Going undefeated in his first four Premier League matches (W3, D1) and introducing some of that famous Italian-style defending, manager Antonio Conte has made an instant impact in the Spurs dressing room. The home team will be delighted to play their Covid-comeback game at their own turf, having secured 18 of their 25 league points thus far at the New White Hart Lane.Spurs will be hoping Harry Kane can rediscover his magic, as they’re undefeated in the last 22 league matches in which he’s scored.The opportunity to play is a win in itselfHowever, there is little to build their optimism on since Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Reds are coming. Recently, the visitors have dominated home, away and on neutral ground against Spurs – they lost only one of the last 19 head-to-head fixtures.Despite high-profile Covid casualties such as Virgil Van Dijk and Fabinho, the Merseysider’s came from behind to beat Newcastle 3-1 and with that win the Reds came to their 2000th top-flight victory. Anfield team are first English club to do so.Another brilliant piece of statistics working for the Reds is the fact that they have not lost a Premier League match in the month of December since 2016, going 34 unbeaten since.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 18Saturday Aston Villa – Burnley POSTPONEDManchester United – Brighton & Hove Albion POSTPONEDSouthampton – Brentford POSTPONEDWatford – Crystal Palace POSTPONEDWest Ham United – Norwich City POSTPONEDLeeds United – Arsenal 1-4 (0-3)/Raphinha 75 pen – Martinelli 16, 28, Saka 42, Smith Rowe 84/SundayEverton – Leicester City POSTPONED17:00 Newcastle United – Manchester City17:00 Wolverhampton – Chelsea19:30 Tottenham – Liverpool***odds are subject to change
