English Premier League: Live scores, fixtures, EPL results and standings – 20-22 December

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The English Premier League dives headlong into the festive period this weekend, with a manic set of fixtures pushing clubs to their limit into the new year.

So congested is the fixture list that EPL leaders Liverpool, who have already been forced to play two matches on two continents inside 24 hours this week, are excused from this weekend’s action.

It means chasing pair Leicester and Manchester City take centre stage on Saturday when they meet at the Etihad Stadium in their increasingly desperate bid to close the yawning gap to the Reds at the top.

The Foxes’ record-busting, eight-game winning run came to an end last weekend as lowly Norwich pinched a point from a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers’ side nevertheless boast a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s defending Premier League champions, who clobbered rudderless Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates last Sunday thanks to a fine first half display.

There’s more fun to be had in the capital city this weekend as Jose Mourinho has an eye on the Champions League places when he tackles another old foe.

The Tottenham coach has engineered an upturn in fortunes since his latest return to the EPL, with Chelsea the visitors to north London on Sunday.

Spurs struck late to pip Wolves last weekend, while Frank Lampard’s Blues are now just three points above their rivals in fourth having lost four of their last five, most recently at home to ailing Bournemouth.

Manchester United also put their improving form to the test on Sunday when they travel to Watford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has eased the pressure at Old Trafford with a run of six games unbeaten, including last weekend’s home draw with Everton.

Watford have just one win all season and are bottom of the EPL table but did perform creditably under new boss Nigel Pearson in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at rampant Liverpool.

Everton and Arsenal kick off the Premier League weekend on Saturday lunchtime at Goodison Park, with as much intrigue on the occupants of each side’s dugout as on the field of play.

There’s a battle at the bottom on Saturday as Aston Villa host Southampton, with their pair either side of the dotted relegation line by virtue of goal difference.

The Saints have lost back-to-back games coming into this one, while Villa are pointless in three matches.

Norwich are desperate to pounce on a slip up for either side above them, with the 19th-placed Canaries tackling Wolves at Carrow Road.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men slipped to eighth in the table following their first defeat since September thanks to Tottenham’s late show in the Black Country.

Sheffield United are continuing their unlikely push for European qualification after successive victories over fellow promoted sides Norwich and Aston Villa.

The Blades start the weekend seventh in the standings and go to Brighton on Saturday, with the Seagulls also unbeaten in three.

A mid-table tussle sees Newcastle face Crystal Palace at St James’ Park, with the Eagles unbeaten in four after drawing with rivals Brighton on Monday night.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is also in action against his former club as Burnley make the long trip south to the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries stopped a rotten run of form with a shock win at Chelsea last weekend, while the Clarets also ended a three-game losing streak with a home success over Newcastle.

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