Gvardiol of Manchester City dejected on December 15, 2024© Imago
The first Premier League fixture after Christmas will see Everton make the short trip down the M62 to face champions Manchester City at the Etihad on Boxing Day.
Man City's demise this season has arguably been the biggest story across Europe, with Pep Guardiola's side now out of the title race and on a run of one win in 12 games.
We say: Manchester City 3-0 Everton
City's recent form has been scarcely believable, but they have plenty of favourable fixtures ahead, starting with this one against opponents who have enjoyed very few good days at the Etihad in the past few years.
In the last 365 days, Everton have won just one Premier League away game, and that was at Ipswich, and ending their near 15-year wait for a win at the Etihad looks unlikely to come here.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match at Anfield on September 21, 2024© Imago
Aiming to extend their winning run in the top flight to six matches, Bournemouth will welcome a struggling Crystal Palace side to the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
The Cherries will be brimming with confidence following a battering of Manchester United on the weekend, whilst the Eagles were dealt a Selhurst Park thumping by title hopefuls Arsenal.
We say: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
Conceding just seven goals across eight Premier League home matches in 2024-25, Bournemouth will be confident of keeping an often-misfiring Crystal Palace outfit at bay.
The Eagles will be buoyed by the likely return of Eze to top-flight action, although we cannot envisage a Boxing Day success for the visitors on the South Coast.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Chelsea's Cole Palmer in action on December 8, 2024© Imago
Chelsea and Fulham lock horns in a West London derby at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
The home side had their impressive winning streak ended by a stubborn Everton on Sunday, while Fulham were also held to a 0-0 draw by relegation candidates Southampton.
We say: Chelsea 3-1 Fulham
After being frustrated by an impenetrable Everton, Chelsea will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways against a more open Fulham side, even if they may have more to worry about defensively.
Fulham have proven themselves to be a competitive outfit since returning to the top flight under Silva, but their record against Chelsea remains woeful, and their winless streak could extend to 20 here at the Bridge.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Sandro Tonali for Newcastle United on December 18, 2024© Imago
Separated by two points and two places in the Premier League table, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both aim to boost their top-four ambitions when they clash on Boxing Day.
The Magpies are back at St James' Park following a successful trip to Ipswich, while Villa overturned ailing champions Manchester City last time out, keeping them just above their hosts in the standings.
We say: Newcastle United 2-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle (16) and Aston Villa (15) come into this festive contest having lost more Premier League games on Boxing Day than any other clubs in the competition's history.
A lesser power away from home, Villa could now draw level with their hosts in that dubious ranking, as the Magpies are flying high after recovering their form in the final third.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured on September 1, 2024© Imago
Short-serving Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo seeks to prolong Spurs' festive misery on Boxing Day, when his Nottingham Forest side tackle the Lilywhites at the City Ground.
Eight points and seven places separate the two foes in the Premier League table at present, as the Garibaldi continue to enhance their Champions League credentials while Spurs languish in the lower echelons of the standings.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham may be able to boast the Premier League's best defensive record away from home alongside Manchester United, but that will count for little against an inspired Forest side if their recent vulnerabilities are exposed once again.
Postecoglou's men can still fight fire with fire on their day, though, and Forest have seldom outplayed the Lilywhites in recent times, so another engrossing encounter may end with honours even.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Ivan Juric in charge of Torino in May 2024© Imago
Boxing Day marks the beginning of a new era for Premier League basement boys Southampton, as Ivan Juric takes charge of his inaugural game at home to West Ham United.
The former Roma boss cast a watchful eye over the Saints' 0-0 draw with Fulham last time out, while Julen Lopetegui's Hammers played out their own stalemate with Brighton & Hove Albion.
We say: Southampton 1-1 West Ham United
Not since 2015 have West Ham fallen to defeat against the team starting the day at the bottom of the Premier League table, and while that trend should continue on Boxing Day, Lopetegui's men may have to be content with just the one point.
Missing two of their principle attacking threats in Antonio and Paqueta, the Irons will have their work cut out against a Saints backline that has been shored up since Russell Martin's exit, and Juric's Premier League tenure appears destined to begin with a low-scoring stalemate.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes on December 22, 2024© Imago
Manchester United look to make amends for a woeful performance last time out when they go to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day in the Premier League.
The Red Devils will go into the clash in the bottom half of the table at this stage in the season for the first time since 1989, after being humbled on home turf by Bournemouth on Sunday.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Manchester United
In one of the most intriguing festive fixtures, it could be telling in how both club's seasons pan out, because another win for Pereira in his second game could see them cruise to safety.
Another defeat for United would be catastrophic, but they have a good record here and seem to be doing better on the road, so they will seek to capitalise on Wolves having the joint-worst home record in the division so far.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring with teammates on December 22, 2024© Imago
Sweeping aside every obstacle in their path, Premier League title favourites Liverpool resume their pursuit of stardom at 8pm on Boxing Day, when Leicester City make the jaunt to Anfield.
The Reds closed out the pre-Christmas action with a breathtaking 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on December 22, while Ruud van Nistelrooy's men were humbled at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
We say: Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City
After a couple of defensive calamities, Leicester boss Van Nistlerooy might consider sacrificing an attacker to add an extra body in defence on Boxing Day, not that it should do much good for very long.
Slot's men may be guilty of giving an easy goal away right now, but any rearguard mistakes should be cancelled out by ruthless finishing, as the Reds maintain their healthy lead in first place.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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