A Christmas gift for the fans of each Premier League team
Leeds United (Current league position 15th)
The cavalier performers of the first act, United fans will have welcomed the World Cup break, if for nothing but a breather and opportunity to consider what actually just happened. Contrasting fortunes in two seven-goal thrillers in November, Leeds fans would have recognised the high intensity and dynamic showing from young USA stars Brenden Aaronsen and Tyler Adams but will be keeping fingers crossed and offering Christmas wishes that a lengthy injured list that includes Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas and promising youngsters Luis Fernando Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville, shortens in the coming days.
Leicester City (Current league position 13th)
The Foxes recovered from a wretched start to finish strongly heading into the World Cup break, winning 4 of their final 5 games. Fans will be hoping the break doesn’t disrupt momentum and will trust the Belgian duo of Youri Tielemans and Timothy Castagne shake off any tournament disappointment and contribute to two tough opening fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle. Defensively strong, keeping 5 clean sheets in their recent 6 Premier League games, the ideal Christmas present for fans will be midfielder James Maddison continuing his excellent run that resulted in his England call up.
Liverpool (Current league position 6th)
The focus is not so much on those who went to the World Cup, but more on those left behind. The Reds will be hoping the enforced break will have leading goal-scorer Mo Salah raring to go after Egypt narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification. However, he’ll need to shoulder increased responsibility during the opening games, with news that forward Luis Diaz has suffered another knee injury at the club training camp which will likely keep him out until March. Diogo Jota stepped up his efforts to return to fitness and took part in the Dubai break. The Christmas gift for Red’s fans may result from the enduring image of the Bellingham / Henderson ‘love-in’ celebration after the latter scored against Senegal during the World Cup. Does this add fire to the persistent rumour of a Bellingham move to Anfield?!