Marc Cucurella of Chelsea celebrates scoring against Brentford in the Premier League, on December 15, 2024© Imago
Chelsea have the chance to go top of the Premier League for a brief time at least when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday.
Liverpool do not play until the later slot on the same day, meaning if Enzo Maresca's men win against the league leader's neighbours, they will go one point ahead.
We say: Everton 1-1 Chelsea
Everton are unbeaten in five home league games since capitulating in the final three minutes against Bournemouth, and proved to Arsenal last weekend how difficult they are to break down when they have a fully fit defence.
Chelsea have lost on five of their last six visits here, and even though they have made remarkable progress this season, there is something about Goodison that seems to get the better of them.
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Ivan Juric in charge of Torino in May 2024© Imago
The Ivan Juric era at Southampton could commence on Sunday afternoon, when the Saints host Fulham in their final Premier League battle before Christmas.
The managerless hosts gave a good account of themselves against Liverpool in the EFL Cup in midweek, a few days after Marco Silva's men held the league leaders to a 2-2 stalemate.
We say: Fulham 2-0 Southampton
Both teams have scored in each of Fulham's eight Premier League home matches this season, but that trend will surely be bucked here, even if Southampton do arrive with a new manager bounce.
While the Saints have struggled for offensive inspiration all season, Fulham have not failed to score since the opening day and should make light work of their opponents, whose five-point total if they lose would be the joint second-lowest in Premier League history at Christmas.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nelson Semedo in October 2024.© Imago
Two clubs mired in relegation trouble and under new management face off at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, when Leicester City host Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Gary O'Neil was sacked last weekend after Wolves' fourth straight defeat, and the club moved swiftly to bring in Vitor Pereira from Al-Shabab as his replacement.
We say: Leicester City 2-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
On paper, Wolves have the superior squad, especially with the attacking talent in their ranks, and the visitors will hope a new manager bounce can guide them to victory, while Cunha is still available to them.
Just seven goals have been scored in the six PL meetings between the sides at the King Power, but that will almost certainly not be repeated here, given the respective defensive records of the two so far this season.
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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on December 1, 2024© Imago
After coming so close yet so far to pulling off one of the great EFL Cup comebacks, Manchester United hope to make amends when Bournemouth visit Old Trafford for Sunday's Premier League contest.
Ruben Amorim's side were the victims of a 4-3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in Thursday's absorbing battle, while the Cherries snatched a point in a 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Monday thanks to some Turkish delight.
We say: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth had a whopping 29 shots in their stalemate with West Ham, which was not the first time this season that Iraola's men have failed to convert their attacking dominance count into a glut of goals, and such wastefulness could prove fatal at Old Trafford.
As shaky as Amorim's men can be at the back, they have a knack for scoring at the other end and will welcome a handful of refreshed troops back to the XI, so we have faith in Man United to spread some festive cheer around the Theatre of Dreams with a hard-fought three points.
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Tottenham Hotspur's Dominic Solanke celebrates scoring against Chelsea on December 8, 2024© Imago
Before locking horns in the EFL Cup semi-finals, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool collide in the pick of this weekend's Premier League ties in North London on Sunday afternoon.
Ange Postecoglou's team came up trumps in a 4-3 spectacular with Manchester United in midweek, while the league-leading Reds were 2-1 victors at Southampton to keep their quadruple hopes alive.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Liverpool
Each of Tottenham's last seven contests at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has seen both teams score, and that trend should not cease in Sunday's mouthwatering clash, as Liverpool are looking more defensively frail on the road than they previously were.
However, the Reds are working with an extra day's rest, were able to leave out some of their star names in midweek and face a Tottenham side still missing some of their key defensive cogs. In short, the Slot machine should continue to whirr as Liverpool spend Christmas Day at the summit.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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