Three Festive Sporting Events You Cannot Miss on Boxing Day

Boxing Day has always been known as one of the biggest sporting days on the calendar and this year is no different.

We have a near-full book of fixtures from all football leagues including the Premier League to look forward to, and high-class horse racing from Kempton amongst others.

There is a lot of sport to choose from, something for everyone, but we have chosen out three huge events in particular that you should not miss.

Horse Racing – Kempton King George VI Chase – 3:00 pm

Nine go to post for what is always one of the best horse races of the season, and this year’s line up will certainly not disappoint. Led by the Paul Nicholls due of Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux, this field is stacked.

Cyrname is the highest-rated horse in training, while Clan Des Obeaux comes here after winning the last two renewals of this race, those together make this a fascinating affair. Throw in last year’s Betfair Chase winner and Gold Cup third Lostintranslation as well as late addition and last year’s Gold Cup second Santini and you have the makings of something very special.

Harry Cobden, retained rider to Paul Nicholls, chose to ride Cyrname in this race back in November, a big move and one that oozes confidence about this horse. He’s now proven himself over three miles and this sharp track will play to his strengths, so he is the pick in what could be a Christmas cracker.

Leicester v Manchester United – Premier League – 12:30 pm

This is the biggest game from the Premier League on Boxing Day, with 2^nd placed Leicester taking on 3^rd placed Manchester United. Both teams have title hopes, and the winner will certainly receive a big boost to their chances.

With Leicester coming here on the back of a win against Tottenham, where they were excellent, we are backing them to beat another title challenger here and keep on the coattails of current leaders, Liverpool.

Manchester United are unbeaten in seven themselves, but while they have been winning, they have continued to show their defensive issues, something that we fancy Leicester to take advantage of.

Arsenal v Chelsea – Premier League – 5:30 pm

A huge London derby at The Emirates for these two, and had you asked anyone at the start of the season, no one would have predicted that Arsenal would be just four points clear of the relegation zone while sitting down with their Christmas diner.

That is the case though, and Chelsea bounced back to form with a great 3-0 win over West Ham last weekend, which should stand them in good stead.

Arsenal are staring down the barrel of a relegation scrap, which was unimaginable at the start of the season, and another defeat here will take them even closer to that.

Best Bets for Boxing Day

• Cyrname to win the King George VI Chase
• Leicester to beat Manchester United in the Premier League
• Chelsea to beat Arsenal in the Premier League

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