Boxing Day 2024 is set to be thrilling for Premier League fans as three key matches capture the attention of bettors and enthusiasts alike. With title races intensifying and relegation battles heating up, the festive football schedule promises excitement with matches like Chelsea vs Fulham, Manchester City vs Everton, and Wolves vs Manchester United taking center stage.
First, let’s look at the anticipated clash between Chelsea and Fulham at Stamford Bridge. The Blues find themselves pressuring league leaders Liverpool after slipping up with a goalless draw against Everton. Chelsea will be eager to secure all three points against their west London rivals Fulham, who currently sit ninth and are eyeing a European spot. According to Betfred, Chelsea are priced at 4/9 to claim victory, boasting a win probability of 69.2%. Given Chelsea's five wins from the last six home matches, they seem strong favorites to bounce back after their recent misstep. The betting tip here is Chelsea to win with both teams to score at odds of 8/5.
On the injury front, Marc Cucurella returns for Chelsea after suspension, but key players like Reece James and Wesley Fofana remain sidelined. Fulham will miss Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed due to knee injuries. Despite Chelsea's strong form at home, they have been susceptible to conceding, which makes Fulham’s chances to find the net look promising.
Next on the list is Manchester City welcoming Everton to the Etihad Stadium at 12:30 PM on Boxing Day. Guardiola's team is struggling, having faced nine defeats out of their last twelve games. The Cityzens are hoping to regain confidence at home against relegation-threatened Everton. Currently, Betfred flags City as favorites at 1/3 with an implied win probability of 75%. Although Manchester City has shown dominance over this fixture, winning 12 of the last 14 encounters since 2017, Everton's recent defensive resilience could thwart any goal-scoring efforts from the hosts.
The odds for under 2.5 goals are set at 11/8, reflecting the low-scoring trends observed from both teams lately. City has struggled to find the back of the net with Erling Haaland netting only once over the last six league outings. It's an intriguing matchup, particularly considering City's faltering form and Everton’s improved defense, which has secured more clean sheets than any other team across Europe's top five leagues since October.
The day wraps up with Wolves hosting Manchester United at Molineux. Both teams enter this clash with significant pressure to secure the win. Wolves come off their stunning victory against Leicester City under new manager Vitor Pereira, aiming to climb out of the relegation zone, whereas United, now sitting 13th, are desperate for points to remain competitive for European spots. Betfred forecasts this game could end as a draw, with the possibility of both teams scoring.
For fans wagering on this matchup, the best bet could be selecting both teams to score, with Wolves set to test United's shaky defense. Meanwhile, Amad is expected to be one of United’s key threats, and Mario Lemina’s return after previous injuries presents another edge for Wolves.
To sweeten the deal for bettors, various tempting betting offers are available. For example, new Betfred customers can receive £50 in sports free bets when placing their initial wager of £10 on football matches. Other promotions include double or treble odds on first goalscorer bets and bonus cash on accumulators, amplifying the festive betting excitement.
With such high stakes and intriguing matchups, Boxing Day 2024 promises to be unmissable for Premier League fans. Each match not only impacts league standings but also gives bettors the chance to get involved with exciting betting options. Keep your eyes peeled for these encounters and join the action!
