This Boxing Day, English football fans are treated to another thrilling round of Premier League action as teams battle it out during Gameweek 18. Liverpool, riding high on their recent performances, aim to solidify their title chase against struggling Leicester City at Anfield. Conversely, Manchester City, enduring frustrating times, look to regain form against Everton, who have surprisingly become resilient under pressure.
The festive fixtures kick off with Manchester City hosting Everton at the Etihad Stadium at 12:30 PM GMT on December 26. Pep Guardiola's team has been underwhelming, managing just one win from their last 12 matches across all competitions and currently sits seventh on the Premier League table. Affected by injuries and lacking goal-scoring prowess, City will have their hands full against an Everton side aiming to build on their solid defensive performances.
City's injury dilemma remains prominent, with key players like John Stones and Ederson uncertain for the match due to recent issues. Stones sustained a foot injury, and Ederson's return is still up for debate. Everton, under Sean Dyche's management, has turned things around slightly, recording consecutive 0-0 draws, showcasing their newfound defensive resilience. Despite their struggles, Everton will aim to exploit Manchester City's current fragility.
The head-to-head history offers hope to the Manchester side: City is undefeated against Everton for the last 15 fixtures, winning 13 of those contests. Winning at home on Boxing Day has become customary for the Cityzens, securing victories and maintaining momentum leading up to the new year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool has emerged as one of the strongest contenders for the title, currently sitting four points clear atop the league. Their dominant 6-3 victory against Tottenham has fueled optimism as they prepare to face Leicester City at home on the same day, kicking off at 8 PM GMT. Under the management of Arne Slot, Liverpool intends to demonstrate attacking firepower as they have done throughout the season.
Leicester arrives at Anfield battling their own problems, having suffered defeats against other struggling teams, including Wolves, which has positioned them dangerously close to the relegation zone. Ruud van Nistelrooy's squad faces immense pressure, with their last match ending poorly. Injuries have also struck Leicester, particularly affecting their goalkeeping situation—Mads Hermansen's involvement hangs by a thread due to health concerns.
Predicted lineups show Liverpool aiming to maintain their rhythm, with players like Alisson, Salah, and Gravenberch all expected to feature prominently. Leicester, on the other hand, may opt for defensive adjustments as they look to stay competitive against one of the league's most potent attacks.
Other notable fixtures on Boxing Day will include Chelsea against Fulham, where Chelsea seeks to recover after dropping points previously, and Newcastle versus Aston Villa, two clubs with similar aspirations of achieving European qualification.
Bournemouth will also host Crystal Palace, both teams displaying varying forms and strategies, whereas Nottingham Forest faces Tottenham amid various performances impacting both clubs’ seasons. Southampton welcomes West Ham, starting life under new manager Ivan Juric at the bottom of the Premier League table. All eyes will be on whether the change can lift the club's fortunes.
To wrap up the holiday football frenzy, the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United will showcase United's underwhelming season against Wolves, who seek stability with their new manager, Vitor Pereira.
These fixtures not only provide entertainment but also expose the prevailing dynamics as clubs fight for both survival and glory. The Boxing Day slate promises explosive confrontations, exhilarating football, and compelling storylines—making it one of the most exciting parts of the Premier League calendar.
This Premier League holiday special will be available for fans to watch live on Amazon Prime Video, ensuring no one misses out on any action.
