Premier League Boxing Day: Liverpool, Aston Villa eye top of table

Boxing Day in the United Kingdom brings five matches of English Premier League action on Tuesday. Of the ten teams playing, there are two in particular looking forward to what may come from their holiday matches.

Liverpool and Aston Villa sit at second and third place, respectively, on the Premier League table. Both teams trail Arsenal, current standings leader, by fewer than three points.

Liverpool takes on Burnley – a contender for relegation at 19th in the Premier League – at 12:30 p.m. ET at Turf Moor on Tuesday.

Aston Villa may face a bigger challenge this holiday in their clash with Manchester United, who are eighth in the standings heading into the Boxing Day match, at Old Trafford.

Though the Premier League is nearly at the halfway point of the season, there is no clear favorite to win the league with such a tight race at the top. The best five teams through 18 matches played are all within six points of each other, meaning we may see plenty of changes atop the standings before season's end.

How Liverpool can take Premier League lead

Liverpool are just one point behind Arsenal for leadership in the Premier League at the halfway point in the season. The club can take the lead with a mere draw against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Since it holds a one-goal edge over the Gunners in both of the first two tiebreakers – goal differential and goals scored – even a 0-0 draw would be enough for Liverpool.

How Aston Villa can take Premier League lead

Aston Villa trail Arsenal by two points and Liverpool by one. If Liverpool secure three points in the standings by defeating Burnley, Villa will be unable to take the lead this week.

If Liverpool loses or draws, Aston Villa can take the lead with a win – and only a win – over Manchester United.