EPL 2022-23, Matchday 17 preview and predictions: Top teams eye solid restart on Boxing Day

After a month-long break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it's time again to get back to club business. The 2022-23 English Premier League (EPL) restarts on Monday, during Boxing Day, as the top clubs will again battle for supremacy. On the same note, we present the preview and result predictions for Matchday 17.

Tottenham Hotspur in a tricky derby against Brentford
The season restart for fourth-placed Tottenham could become tricky as it visits an unpredictable tenth-placed fellow Londoner Brentford on Monday. While the visitors are the favourites here, the hosts have proved capable of pulling off upsets, especially at home. A win could take the Spurs to third.
Prediction: 1-1 draw

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Can Liverpool rout Aston Villa?
Sixth-placed Liverpool has had a challenging season, mostly plagued by injuries. As it looks to get its season back on track, it travels to play 12th-placed Villa on Monday under the latter's new head coach Unai Emery. It must be admitted that it will be challenging to tame the Villans under Emery. Meanwhile, a defeat for The Reds could mean they drop to eighth.
Prediction: Liverpool wins 2-1

Arsenal and West Ham United to engage in an intriguing London derby
In another London derby, table-topper Arsenal hosts the 16th-placed West Ham United on Tuesday. So far, the Gunners look like the absolute favourite, given their form, and it would require something extra-ordinary for the Hammers to trounce them. Regardless of the result, Mikel Arteta and co are bound to stay on the top.
Prediction: Arsenal wins 2-0

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Chelsea badly needs a win versus Bournemouth
Eighth-placed Chelsea is on the same lines as Liverpool and would be desperately hoping to attain success against 14th-placed Bournemouth at home on Tuesday. While the hosts are the favourites on paper here, the visitors must be considered, given the former's irregular current form. A triumph for The Blues could mean rising to sixth, whereas a failure could lead to a drop to 12th.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 1-0

Manchester United should successfully tame Nottingham Forest
Fifth-placed United entertains a relegation-threatened Forest on Tuesday. Given the current form, it should be a no-tedious task for the former and should have only itself to blame if it flops. Regardless of the result, the Red Devils are expected to consolidate the fifth spot.
Prediction: United wins 2-0

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Manchester City is the outright favourite to trounce Leeds United
Second-placed defending champion City would also need a victory against 15th-placed away from home on Wednesday to keep itself in the title race. While the hosts are undoubtedly a favourite to see themselves through in this game, they tend to goof up against lower-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, a thrashing for the Cityzens could mean them dropping to third.
Prediction: City wins 3-1