Premier League: Predictions for all ten games on Boxing Day and Friday
- Free-falling Manchester City host Everton in Boxing Day's opener
- Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth both in action at 3pm on Thursday
- Leaders Liverpool close out Boxing Day at home to Leicester
- Arsenal take on Ipswich in one of two games on Friday
The Premier League’s Festive schedule gets underway with a Boxing Day bonanza of eight games.
Matchday 18 concludes with two games on Friday evening so without further ado we have got a correct score prediction for all 10 games.
Manchester City vs Everton (Thursday, 12.30pm)
Manchester City are on a woeful run but they might be able to raise some Christmas cheer by beating an Everton side who have failed to score in six of their last seven games.
City have only scored seven goals across their last six league games themselves, so go for a low scoring home win.
Score prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Everton
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace (Thursday, 3pm)
Bournemouth are one of the division’s form teams with 13 points from the last available 15. Home advantage should see the Cherries over the line against Crystal Palace but the visitors have scored in seven successive fixtures themselves and can play their part in what could be a Christmas cracker.
Score prediction: Bournemouth 3-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea vs Fulham (Thursday, 3pm)
Home is where the heart is for title challengers Chelsea as they have won eight of their last 10 games at Stamford Bridge across all competitions. The Blues have only managed one Premier League clean sheet at home, however, and Fulham are generally good for at least a goal so take the hosts to edge out their West London rivals.
Score prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Fulham
Newcastle vs Aston Villa (Thursday, 3pm)
Two in-form European contenders meet at St James’ Park but Aston Villa’s recent success has come almost exclusively at home. Newcastle won and conceded in both Premier League meetings last season and the same is expected again on Boxing Day.
Score prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham (Thursday, 3pm)
Nottingham Forest fans are dreaming of a long-awaited return to Europe’s elite club competition and they can boost their top-four chances by taking down Tottenham, who have suffered three defeats in their last four.
Spurs are among the league’s top scorers, so it is hard to see them drawing a blank, even against Forest’s mean defence.
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Tottenham
Southampton vs West Ham (Thursday, 3pm)
Ivan Juric oversees his first game in charge when Southampton take on West Ham and he may be able to nick a point. The Hammers have been generally poor on the road and the Saints players will want to impress their new boss.
Score prediction: Southampton 1-1 West Ham
Wolves vs Manchester United (Thursday, 5.30pm)
Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at home last time out and they now face a Wolves side who are in the early stages of a new-boss-bounce under Vitor Pereira. The hosts may be able to pull off an upset against an out-of-sorts United.
Score prediction: Wolves 1-0 Manchester United
Liverpool vs Leicester (Thursday, 8pm)
Liverpool hit Tottenham for six last time out and can dish out another trashing to a Leicester side who have conceded seven without reply across their last two games.
Score prediction: Liverpool 5-0 Leicester
Brighton vs Brentford (Friday, 7.30pm)
Brighton are in a rough patch but a home game against the league’s worst travellers looks a great chance for Albion to stop the rot.
Score prediction: Brighton 2-1 Brentford
Arsenal vs Ipswich (Friday, 8.15pm)
Arsenal look to be hitting top form again after enjoying a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace last time out and Ipswich should not offer a great deal of resistance.
Score prediction: Arsenal 4-0 Ipswich