The English Premier League is firmly in the festive spirit, with a full round of fixtures to light up the bleak midwinter across the country.
Arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United are undoubtedly the pre-Christmas centre piece, as they renew hostilities at Anfield on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds ended last weekend top of the EPL table for the first time in over two years, thanks to a third win on the bounce.
No such luck for United, who slumped to a horrific Old Trafford defeat that left them ten points adrift of their north west foes.
It was Arsenal’s second loss of the campaign that opened the door for the Merseyside club, with the Gunners looking to bounce back at home to Brighton.
Both are in free-scoring form, while the Seagulls’ leaky defence should also pave the way for an early Christmas cracker at the Emirates Stadium.
Aston Villa have emerged as Premier League title contenders thanks to the crafty work of coach Unai Emery.
They look to maintain the charge away to Brentford, who have lost four of their last five.
Saturday brings five top flight matches, as reigning champions Manchester City go up against Crystal Palace.
The pair meet at the Etihad Stadium with the hosts in the unusual position of playing catch-up, although they did end a four-game winless streak last weekend.
Newcastle also need to arrest a slide that has seen Eddie Howe’s injury-hit squad lost back-to-back matches.
Fulham are the tricky customers to visit St James’ Park, having won three of their last four to keep their top half ambitions firmly alive.
There’s a home game for another unlikely struggler in Chelsea, who go up against bottom side Sheffield United.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has suggested the golden cheque book needs to come out again in the January transfer window and, with his ailing side sat 12th in the standings, he may well have a point.
The late kick off sees Burnley meet Everton at Turf Moor, in a fixture that carries a proper, old-school air.
Sean Dyche has seen his Toffees put three impressive wins together, with the blue half of Merseyside suitably riled by the club’s points deduction.
Tottenham returned to some sort of form with a thumping win over Newcastle last time out.
Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs now go to Nottingham Forest to kick off the EPL weekend on Friday night.
West Ham and Wolves complete Sunday’s line up, meanwhile, as they both look to improve their decent form at the London Stadium.
And the Saturday programme is completed with the meeting of Bournemouth and Luton.
It’s been a case of nearly-but-not-quite for the Hatters in recent weeks as they attempt to avoid being cut adrift in the drop zone, while the Cherries have emerged as the Premier League’s form team amid a charge up the standings.
English Premier League predictions for 15 – 17 December
AFC Bournemouth vs. Luton
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | D. Solanke (AFC Bournemouth) |
Chelsea vs. Sheffield United
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Haaland (Manchester City), O. Édouard (Crystal Palace) |
Newcastle United vs. Fulham
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Fulham to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Fulham / Fulham to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Willian (Fulham), R. Jiménez (Fulham), A. Iwobi (Fulham) |
Burnley vs. Everton
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Draw |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Burnley / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Doucouré (Everton) |
Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | João Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion) |
Brentford vs. Aston Villa
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. Watkins (Aston Villa) |
West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | West Ham United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / West Ham United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) |
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
| Prediction Type | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), T. Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) |