English Premier League predictions: Round 18

While Europeans will be forced to discuss politics and answer uncomfortable questions about their love lives on Boxing Day, English football fans will once again enjoy a Premier League holiday.

There are eight Premier League matches coming your way this Boxing Day and two more gracing our screens on Friday night.

The schedule is jam-packed leading up to the new year with game weeks becoming difficult to discern as we enter that weird point in the calendar when the days merge into one big day.

Here's how 90 minutes Projects Premier League Gameweek 18 unfolds.

Heroes can't catch a break, right? The poor Cityzens will train on Christmas Day before kicking off Boxing Day at lunchtime.

Manchester City They have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions and have dropped to seventh in the table. Given how consistent and predictable their offense has been in recent weeks, Thursday's home game is a draw Evertonwhich eliminated Arsenal and Chelsea in two consecutive matches, looks difficult on paper.

This is certainly not likely to be the best you would like to enjoy to start the day's activity.

Chelsea Liverpool lost the top spot after their draw at Goodison Park on Sunday, so they will be keen to get back to winning ways at the first attempt when they face Liverpool. Fulham In the not-so-wicked West London derby. League leader Liverpool They were at their best against Tottenham last time out and have a four-point advantage at the top with a game in hand. They are approaching Boxing Day at home to struggle Leicester.

Newcastle vs Aston Villa The highlight match of the day comes at 3pm as both teams head into the contest with the wind in their sails. These two clubs have embarked on similar paths in recent years, and this match could be important in determining which team advances to the top four during the second half of the season. Newcastle will leapfrog their rivals in the table with another win at St James' Park.

Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest They enter Boxing Day as two of the division's teams, both home after enjoying the festivities. while Bournemouth face a Crystal Palace A side that faltered against Arsenal last week, Forest face a side that is beleaguered Tottenham A team desperate to ring in the new year.

Southampton She displayed intelligent pragmatism in their predicament Fulham On Sunday, it will be interesting to see what Ivan Juric has to offer in his managerial career. Defeat for West Ham At St Mary's that would increase the pressure on Julen Lopetegui who is already under fire.

Vitor Pereira period in Wolves The team is off to a great start, and the new manager will see this as an excellent time to step up Manchester United. Ruben Amorim has a seismic task on his hands and there is unlikely to be immediate relief following the Red Devils' defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend. These two teams played a classic match at Molineux last season.

It's a less crowded football evening on Friday, and the interference is a bit annoying. Just hit the Brighton game at six o'clock, guys.

However, the Seagulls could pull off a win here when they face A.J Brentford A team that has yet to win a Premier League match away from home this season. The Bees have also lost their previous three matches in all competitions, with Thomas Frank managing a long list of injuries.

Brighton I've endured a miserable December, mind. Their last home win came on November 9 against Manchester City, a Premier League team.

Gameweek ends in North London as Arsenal side Mourning the loss of Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring tear He faces a new promotion Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys have won just two league games this season, both away from home and one in north London.

Despite the loss of Saka, the Gunners remain in the title discussion and are expected to conclude 2024 with three points at home.

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