This Premier League Preview brings two matches before the New Years Celebrations.
The first match sees Swansea take on Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea vs Bournemouth – Saturday 31st December 2016 – 15:00
Swansea welcome Bournemouth to the Liberty Stadium on New Years Eve, continuing a full festive period of Premier League action.
The hosts Swansea come into this match on the back of another defeat, this time a crushing 4-1 defeat at home against West Ham.
It was a result that has sadly cost Bob Bradley his job, with the American sacked after just 11 games.
Former Swan Andre Ayew (13) opened the scoring for the Hammers, ensuring they took a lead going into the first half.
Winston Reid (50) grabbed the second goal, after poor Swansea defending allowed the Hammers man to win a header he had no right to get to.
Michail Antonio made it three in the 78th minute, with Andy Caroll completing a miserable afternoon for Swansea.
The Hammers did concede in the 89th minute, with a defensive lapse allowing Spaniard Fernando Llorente to grab a consolation.
He Said
Bradley believed he should have been given more time at Swansea, with the American dismissed after just 11 games.
"I think they (the club board) need to realise that the work was good and even though the results haven't been what we would have wanted, turning around a team at the bottom of the table and low on confidence is one of the most difficult things you can do as a manager."
Swans Seek Consistency
It has been a whirlwind few results for Swansea and their new manager Bob Bradley, but the club now start a search for their third manager of the season.
Swansea have remained inconsistent, they now find themselves managerless and on the verge of four successive defeats.
Swans Underdogs
Swansea head into this fixture as the underdogs, with their poor recent form and morale at the club at an all time low.
They will be looking to register their fourth win of the season, in the process securing a third win in seven matches.
The Swans will be looking to better their poor recent record against Bournemouth, they have failed to win any of the last four meetings.
Danger Man
Fernando Llorente is the danger man for Swansea. The Spanish striker has had a decorated club career so far and represents a coup for the Swans.
He has scored 6 goals this season, despite being in and out of the side both under Guidolin and Bradley.
Swansea are 7/4 with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente at 5/1 to score first.
Cherries In Mixed Form
Eddie Howe's side come into this match on the back of a comprehensive defeat, this time against top side Chelsea.
Pedro (24) opened the scoring for the Blues, as the former Barcelona man was preferred to Michy Batshuayi up front.
Eden Hazard scored Chelsea's second from the penalty spot (49), with a Steven Cook own goal in the (90+3) completing another comfortable win.
It means that the Cherries come into this match with an identical record to the hosts, who themselves are in poor form.
He Said
Eddie Howe suggested that the second goal was a crucial moment in the match against Chelsea.
"We started really well and nullified the majority of their threats early on. We went a goal down and it's how you respond to that that matters and we responded well, created a few chances of our own but the real decisive moment was the second goal and how it went against us."
Cherries In Mixed Form
Bournemouth come into this match in poor recent form, with two wins and four defeats in their last six matches.
Wins against Leicester and Liverpool, have been cancelled out by defeats against Chelsea, Southampton, Arsenal and Burnley.
A return to winning ways is imperative for Bournemouth, they will also fancy their chances against a Swansea side in complete disarray.
Bournemouth Favourites
Despite recent mixed results, Bournemouth go into this match as the favourites, especially given Swansea's poor form.
They will be looking to register their seventh win of the season, in turn avoiding a fifth defeat in seven matches.
Bournemouth will be looking to continue their overall form against Swansea, with the Cherries winning 8, drawing four and losing 7 of their 19 matches.
Danger Man
The danger man for Bournemouth is Callum Wilson. The striker already has five goals to his name and with Bournemouth scoring 23 overall, that is just over a fifth of the teams total goals.
Bournemouth are 6/4 with Callum Wilson at 5/1 to open the scoring
The Second fixture sees Liverpool take on Manchester City at Anfield, in an explosive encounter between two former adversaries.
Liverpool vs Manchester City – Saturday 31st December 2016 – 17:30 - BT Sport 1
Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on New Years Eve, continuing a full festive period of Premier League action.
Jurgen Klopp's men come into this match on the back of a 4-1 win against Stoke on Tuesday evening.
Jon Walters gave the visitors a surprise lead (12), heading to Mignolet's near post, the Belgian should have done better to save it.
That was as good as it got for Stoke, with Adam Lallana (34) gifted his opener, after former defender Glen Johnson failed to clear a simple ball.
Roberto Firmino (44) ensured Liverpool ended the first half in front, with a Gabriel Imbula own goal (59) making it 3-1.
Christmas wasn't over yet for Liverpool, with Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross gift wrapping a back pass for Sturridge, who slotted past Grant to make it 4-1 (70).
He Said
Georginio Wijnaldum has stoked the fires ahead of this fixture, insisting that Manchester City should fear coming to Anfield.
"The way we are playing and the way we are scoring goals in the home games, I think it will scare opponents. We have a lot of players who can score goals and win the game for us."
Reds Unbeaten In Four
The Reds have been in excellent recent form, although the match at Stoke was a wake-up call for Liverpool.
Liverpool have an excellent recent record against Manchester City, Klopp will be hoping to continue that streak.
Red Hot Favourites
Liverpool head into this fixture as the heavy favourites, with their excellent league form taken into account.
They will be looking to register their 13th win of the season, with this match crucial if they are to continue their title ambitions.
Jurgen Klopp's men will also be looking to continue their excellent recent record against Man City, with the Reds winning the last three successive matches.
Danger Man
Liverpool have several men in great form but the danger man is Adam Lallana. The former Southampton man is in excellent goalscoring form for club and country and has scored 7 Premier League goals.
He has also completed an incredible 6 assists and he is one of Liverpool's key men.
Liverpool are 13/10 with Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge at 11/2 to score first.
City In Great Form
Guardiola's side come into this match on the back of a 3-0 win against Hull City last weekend.
Yaya Toure who has returned from his early season exile, gave City the lead from the penalty spot (72).
Kelechi Iheanacho doubled their advantage just six minutes later (78), and to add insult to injury Curtis Davies scored a late own goal to give City a 3-0 win (90+4).
Guardiola will be delighted with the response shown from his side, they are now on a run of three successive wins.
He Said
Pep hailed the impact of Kelechi Iheanacho after the victory against Hull, with the Nigerian ensuring he has the best minutes per goal ratio in the Premier League.
"Kele has talent, he is in the box scoring goals but he is young and we need more. We were looking for more control - the people arriving in the box. Kele is always there at the right time and at the right moment."
Stuttering Start
Although they had lost back to back fixtures for the first time this season, this win ensures they have now won three on the bounce.
Manchester City have now moved up to third in the Premier League, they find themselves just one point behind the hosts.
The win against Arsenal appears to have ignited belief within the City camp, they will have to produce an excellent performance to win this match.
Same Again For Pep
The match against Liverpool sees Manchester City emerge as underdogs, with Liverpool unbeaten at Anfield.
City are seven points off leaders Chelsea, if they are to win the league this match will be a crucial marker.
Pep will be looking for City to better their overall record against Liverpool, with 42 wins, 40 draws and 73 defeats in 155 games.
Danger Man
Sergio Aguero is the danger man for City. The Argentinian striker returns from a lengthy suspension for this huge match.
He has scored 10 goals this season, this is despite a lengthy suspension for a horrific foul on David Luiz.
Man City are 19/10 with Sergio Aguero at 4/1 to open the scoring.
Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Llorente to score first @ 5/1 and Swansea to win 3-2 @ 28/1
Tip 2 – Aguero to score first @ 4/1 and Manchester City to win 3-2 @ 25/1