We’re in full festive swing in the English Premier League this weekend, as all teams play their final fixtures before Christmas Day between Saturday and Monday night.
Sunday sees a proper Christmas cracker take centre stage, as Manchester United attempt to play the pantomime villan at Aston Villa.
The Red Devils go to a team that can’t stop winning at the moment, in a charge that has hoisted Unai Emery’s side up into third place and just three points off top spot coming into the weekend.
United are cautiously improving under Ruben Amorim and are unbeaten in four, including Monday night’s wild 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
Top of the tree are Arsenal and their stars will be on show when they travel to Everton for one of two Saturday night EPL matches.
The Gunners recovered from their reverse at Aston Villa to return to winning ways last time out, maintaining their place at the top of the pile.
David Moyes’ Toffees tasted defeat last weekend but sit in the top half and maintain realistic hopes of a push towards a return to European competition next season.
Neighbours Liverpool are only two points and places better off, as their Premier League title defence hangs by a thread.
Arne Slot’s Reds are in improving form, though, as well as having at least kicked the Mohamed Salah sideshow down the road with the Egyptian on international duty at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
They go to Tottenham and face what could be a toxic atmosphere, as the pressure builds on boss Thomas Frank and his underperforming Spurs side.
No such issues for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, who have won four in a row to stay second in the standings and keep the heat on Arsenal at the summit.
They welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium, with the relegation-threatened Hammers having a lot on their plate to avoid being stuffed like Christmas turkeys.
Saturday’s EPL action kicks off at lunchtime in the north east, as Newcastle go up against Chelsea.
The Blues won for the first time in four last weekend, calming down irritated coach Enzo Maresca somewhat.
But they will expect a backlash from the Toon Army at St James’ Park, with Eddie Howe’s men smarting from their damaging Wear-Tyne derby defeat on the road last Sunday.
Leeds and Crystal Palace contest the other late Premier League game when they meet at Elland Road.
The Eagles are handsomely placed in fifth coming into this one, despite being overturned last weekend by Manchester City at Selhurst Park.
Their hosts remain in serious danger of yet another return to the Championship but are showing definite signs of life under Daniel Farke, going three unbeaten to keep their heads above water.
Brighton against Sunderland is an unexpectedly high calibre clash, with both harbouring top half aspirations heading into the new year.
The pair meet at the Amex Stadium with the visitors still fizzing from their derby delight over Newcastle at a raucous Stadium of Light, while Fabian Hurzeler needs to end a run of three without victory for his Seagulls.
Monday night football nestles in before the big day and the focus is on west London for the game between Fulham and Nottingham Forest.
Both have won three of their last five in the league and are doing their level best to look up rather than down as the campaign heads towards its halfway point.
Two more games on Saturday feature those not quite so fortunate, including a battle between Bournemouth and Burnley.
The Cherries’ dream start to the season is a distant memory and they can’t buy a win under Andoni Iraola at the moment, while it’s very much the same for the 19th-placed Clarets – except for the dream start.
Still, there are degrees to the disaster and it’s already a case of now-or-never for Wolves as they play Brentford.
Rob Edwards has yet to muster a single point since returning to his old club as coach, with the Bees heading to Molineux after three winless outings and far from out of the relegation picture themselves.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Result prediction: Newcastle United to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Newcastle United |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Sunderland
Result prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion / Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Manchester City vs West Ham United
Result prediction: Manchester City to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester City only |
AFC Bournemouth vs Burnley
Result prediction: AFC Bournemouth to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | AFC Bournemouth / AFC Bournemouth |
| Team to Score prediction | AFC Bournemouth only |
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brentford
Result prediction: Brentford to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Brentford |
| Team to Score prediction | Brentford only |
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Result prediction: Liverpool to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Liverpool |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Everton vs Arsenal
Result prediction: Arsenal to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Arsenal |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
Result prediction: Crystal Palace to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Crystal Palace |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Fulham vs Nottingham Forest
Result prediction: Fulham to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Fulham / Fulham |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |