Antonio Conte, Palace’s penalties and five things to watch out for in tonight’s football

With Christmas just around the corner, the beautiful game has brought us an early present in the form of a round of midweek fixtures. With five lots of games between now and the New Year in the Premier League alone, football truly is the gift which keeps on giving.

Here’s what to watch out for in tonight’s matches, from Antonio Conte’s body language to Crystal Palace penalty controversies.

The winter of our dis-Conte-nt

While it was only last week that Michael Emenalo attempted to reassure Chelsea fans over Antonio Conte’s future, reports of his discontent at Chelsea are proving quite persistent. Disappointed with the club’s summer recruitment and struggling to revive the Blues from their recent torpor, the Italian is not having the easiest time of it in West London.

It might prove a blessing in disguise that tonight’s game is in West Yorkshire, then, with Chelsea taking on Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. Look out for Conte’s mannerisms on the sidelines, which could give some clue as to how he’s handling the pressure.

Terrifying Terriers?

Having beaten Manchester United at home earlier in the season, Huddersfield could gain a reputation for besting the big boys if they can do the same to Chelsea this evening.

READ MORE: Conte worried by Chelsea’s squad size

David Wagner has already received widespread acclaim for doing an excellent job with the Terriers, but another showcase result would go a long way to securing his status as one of the biggest overachievers in English football.

Palace’s penalties

In light of Christian Benteke’s disastrous intervention against Bournemouth from the spot at the weekend, there’s guaranteed to be high drama if Crystal Palace win another penalty against Watford at Selhurst Park.

Whoever finds themselves on spot kick duties will have to shoulder an enormous mental burden, as another miss from 12 yards could be the difference between survival and relegation for Palace.

Watford go to war

Though they have shown us that they are capable of elegant football this term, we’re about to find out whether Watford can battle it out in the cold, slushy, Christmassy mud.

READ MORE: Hodgson slams Benteke after penalty miss

Having narrowly lost to Burnley at the weekend, Marco Silva and co. travel to Selhurst to face a Palace team desperately struggling to escape the drop. Come away with three points, and the Hornets will be hailed for their ruthless edge as well as their more cultured side.

German ingenuity

Over in the Bundesliga, Peter Stoger will take charge of Borussia Dortmund for the first time this evening. Despite accruing only three points with FC Cologne over the course of the campaign – this after leading them to promotion from the German second division – Stoger has been given the opportunity to prove he’s the man to turn around Dortmund’s lacklustre season.

He starts with a trip to Mainz, who are six places and six points below BVB in the table. With Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann reportedly in line to get the Dortmund job in the summer, Stoger will need a fast start as manager to convince the club hierarchy to stick with him.