This weekend marks the start of the very important festive season of matches when, unlike most European leagues, the EPL clubs play more games as opposed to getting time off with family and friends in the so called 'winter break'.

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Obviously a lot of attention will be focused on Chelsea and the dismissal of Jose Mourinho. The parting of the waves was inevitable after the 'betrayal' comments, and it has been clear for a while that Mourinho had lost the dressing room and, as ever, player power has won the day. With Pep Guardiola being available from the end of the season, there could be a huge battle for his services between Chelsea, at least one (if not both) of the Manchester clubs and who knows who else. In terms of Mourinho and his future, he actually may go back to Real Madrid - after all, his hatred for Rafa Benitez could in itself be enough to get him back. PSG might also be attractive to him, to add to his list of domestic league titles. Bayern Munich will have a vacancy of course too, but don't count out Manchester United as potential suitors. Despite this dismissal, wherever he eventually ends up going he will be a winner again.

Let's take a look at the fixtures and our predictions for this weekend;

Chelsea 3 v Sunderland 0 STAR PLAYER Cesc Fabregas

Everton 2 v Leicester City 2 STAR PLAYER Marc Albrighton

Manchester United 1 v Norwich 0 STAR PLAYER Juan Mata

Southampton 1 v Tottenham Hotspur 3 STAR PLAYER Christian Eriksen

Stoke City 2 v Crystal Palace 0 STAR PLAYER Jack Butland

West Bromwich Albion 2 v Bournemouth 1 STAR PLAYER Claudio Jacob

Newcastle 2 v Aston Villa 0 STAR PLAYER Ayoze Perez

Everyone Stateside gets a lie in this week with no breakfast offering, but two games stand out as matches not to be missed, albeit for different reasons.

Chelsea

The fact that Chelsea have sacked Jose Mourinho will have an enormous impact on the outcome of their game. With him still at the helm the tension would have been unbearable. Big Sam Allardyce will come and 'park the bus' for sure and the longer it takes Chelsea to break it down, the more pressure they will be under.  Now with him gone don't be surprised to see some of the players' form improve dramatically. Cesc Fabregas in particular, Matic, Oscar and Costa are just four of the players who have performed miserably.  They will need to perform now, or the fans will turn their attention on the playing staff, but we expect them to do so.  In fact we expect a terrific performance just to underline how different things will be with the Special One gone on his way.

Sunderland are improving and can offer a threat on the counter attack but we cannot see anything other than Chelsea turning on the style that has been missing every week, save of course in the Champions League.

Leicester

The other encounter that really excites us is at Goodison Park and Everton are playing some of the best soccer in the EPL.  It is therefore quite surprising that they are still only in 10th position. They, of course, face Leicester City who left nobody in any doubt as to their title credentials with their dominant display over Chelsea. This should be an absolutely fantastic game.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are getting all the kudos, but in Marc Albrighton a 'journeyman' at Aston Villa they have a player who is producing the best form of his career and is delivering exceptional crosses for his colleagues. We cannot pick a winner and think a 'Desmond' ( 2-2) is the most likely outcome,  but even a five or six goal thriller would not surprise us.

Man Utd.

Events at Stamford Bridge take some of the heat off Louis Van Gaal, but only short term and he needs, not just three points, but a performance that shows that his squad are fully behind him. Unfortunately, we are not sure this is the case and whilst a win seems likely we suspect another abject performance, albeit with three points.  Juan Mata is pretty much all the creativity United can call upon at the moment. Norwich fought back well at home against Everton, but they do not seem to have much belief currently and a defensively resolute United will shut up shop and take all three points.

Spurs

Tottenham have suffered their first setback of the season and it will now be interesting to see how they react. They go to a Southampton side struggling a little and it is a ground where, historically, 'Spurs' have performed well. Christian Eriksen has been efficient this season and perhaps now is the moment for his true form to return. If Tottenham are serious about a top 4 spot this season then they need to win this match and we think they can do so comfortably enough.

Stoke

We have been saying now for a while that Stoke City are a serious proposition. Another clean sheet last weekend and, whilst they did not secure all three points, they have once more not conceded a goal with Ryan Shawcross in the heart of their defense. We think that record will continue, albeit against one of the best teams away from home in the EPL. Jack Butland also needs to take a lot of credit for the performances of 'the Potters' and he will secure another clean sheet for his side and continue to press his international credentials.

West Brom

West Bromwich Albion take on in form Bournemouth and will be desperate to take three points in a game that Tony Pulis will have identified as a must win.  Usually when Pulis takes this approach his squad responds and we think Albion will have too much strength and power for 'the Cherries'. Claudio Jacob is the first man on the WBA teamsheet and his no nonsense style is something that is often overlooked, but which is vital to their defensive structure. Bournemouth have improved and regained confidence as a result of their form in the last two weekends. They are a dangerous opponent, but we think the home side will just do enough to secure the points.

Newcastle

The final game on Saturday sees Newcastle United take on rock bottom Aston Villa. As ever it is all about Villa and their inadequacies as opposed to their opponent, but even so Newcastle are getting better even if it takes them 45 minutes to get going. Until Villa can stop the rot they continue to be a team to avoid. When they can win a game then perhaps it is time to get onside with them as they really cannot carrying on playing this badly. However, for now we can only see another defeat. Ayoze Perez is seemingly being watched by some of the top clubs in the division and whilst we do not see him as being at that level, he might again be the difference maker.

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