"Boxing Day is usually a time for Premier League fans to put their feet up and soak in a full slate of action. But this year, to the frustration of many a traditionalist, there is only one Premier League fixture on December 26. While there's a feast of Championship and lower-league football to tuck into, fans have to wait until late on for the sole top-flight clash, as Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford."
"Fittingly, it is between the team with the most Boxing Day wins in the competition (Man Utd, 22) and the team with the joint-most defeats on December 26 (Newcastle, 16). So, can we expect a Christmas cracker? We delve into the Opta data to preview Friday's clash. What's expected? Opta's supercomputer is finding it difficult to split these teams. United come out on top in 39.2% of the model's data-led simulations, while Newcastle were victorious in 34.2%."
Only one Premier League fixture will be played on Boxing Day this year: Manchester United host Newcastle United at Old Trafford. This is the first Boxing Day in Premier League history to feature as few as one top-flight game. Manchester United have the most Boxing Day wins in the competition (22) while Newcastle share the most defeats on December 26 (16). Opta's model gives United a 39.2% chance of victory, Newcastle 34.2%, and a 26.6% chance of a draw. United have won all three prior Premier League Boxing Day meetings between the clubs, though Newcastle completed a league double over United last season.
Read at Soccer News
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