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Boxing Day's Premier League predictions including Chelsea vs. Fulham

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Premier League fixtures, including Chelsea vs. Fulham.


Man City vs. Everton (Thursday, 12.30pm)

Gvardiol of Manchester City dejected  on December 15, 2024© Imago

The first Premier League fixture after Christmas will see Everton make the short trip down the M62 to face champions Manchester City at the Etihad on Boxing Day.

Man City's demise this season has arguably been the biggest story across Europe, with Pep Guardiola's side now out of the title race and on a run of one win in 12 games.

We say: Manchester City 3-0 Everton


City's recent form has been scarcely believable, but they have plenty of favourable fixtures ahead, starting with this one against opponents who have enjoyed very few good days at the Etihad in the past few years.

In the last 365 days, Everton have won just one Premier League away game, and that was at Ipswich, and ending their near 15-year wait for a win at the Etihad looks unlikely to come here.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Calvert-Lewin, Broja, Beto vying for one spot: Everton predicted XI vs. Man City

> Will De Bruyne, Walker return after being dropped? Man City predicted XI vs. Everton

> Rodri, Dias latest: Man City injury, suspension list for Everton battle


Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match at Anfield on September 21, 2024© Imago

Aiming to extend their winning run in the top flight to six matches, Bournemouth will welcome a struggling Crystal Palace side to the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

The Cherries will be brimming with confidence following a battering of Manchester United on the weekend, whilst the Eagles were dealt a Selhurst Park thumping by title hopefuls Arsenal.

We say: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace


Conceding just seven goals across eight Premier League home matches in 2024-25, Bournemouth will be confident of keeping an often-misfiring Crystal Palace outfit at bay.

The Eagles will be buoyed by the likely return of Eze to top-flight action, although we cannot envisage a Boxing Day success for the visitors on the South Coast.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Eze, Wharton in the team? Crystal Palace predicted XI vs. Bournemouth

> Will Scott, Araujo return? Bournemouth predicted XI vs. Crystal Palace


Chelsea vs. Fulham (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer in action on December 8, 2024© Imago

Chelsea and Fulham lock horns in a West London derby at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

The home side had their impressive winning streak ended by a stubborn Everton on Sunday, while Fulham were also held to a 0-0 draw by relegation candidates Southampton.

We say: Chelsea 3-1 Fulham


After being frustrated by an impenetrable Everton, Chelsea will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways against a more open Fulham side, even if they may have more to worry about defensively.

Fulham have proven themselves to be a competitive outfit since returning to the top flight under Silva, but their record against Chelsea remains woeful, and their winless streak could extend to 20 here at the Bridge.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Could Madueke return to the fold? Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Fulham

> Midfield injury crisis facing Silva: Fulham predicted lineup vs. Chelsea

> Badiashile, Lavia, James latest: Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Fulham


Newcastle vs. Aston Villa (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Sandro Tonali for Newcastle United on December 18, 2024© Imago

Separated by two points and two places in the Premier League table, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will both aim to boost their top-four ambitions when they clash on Boxing Day.

The Magpies are back at St James' Park following a successful trip to Ipswich, while Villa overturned ailing champions Manchester City last time out, keeping them just above their hosts in the standings.

We say: Newcastle United 2-1 Aston Villa


Newcastle (16) and Aston Villa (15) come into this festive contest having lost more Premier League games on Boxing Day than any other clubs in the competition's history.

A lesser power away from home, Villa could now draw level with their hosts in that dubious ranking, as the Magpies are flying high after recovering their form in the final third.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Watkins or Duran? Emery's dilemma: Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs. Newcastle

> Joelinton returns to Toon XI? Predicted Newcastle United lineup vs. Aston Villa


Nott'm Forest vs. Spurs (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou pictured on September 1, 2024© Imago

Short-serving Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo seeks to prolong Spurs' festive misery on Boxing Day, when his Nottingham Forest side tackle the Lilywhites at the City Ground.

Eight points and seven places separate the two foes in the Premier League table at present, as the Garibaldi continue to enhance their Champions League credentials while Spurs languish in the lower echelons of the standings.

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur


Tottenham may be able to boast the Premier League's best defensive record away from home alongside Manchester United, but that will count for little against an inspired Forest side if their recent vulnerabilities are exposed once again.

Postecoglou's men can still fight fire with fire on their day, though, and Forest have seldom outplayed the Lilywhites in recent times, so another engrossing encounter may end with honours even.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Bentancur to start after ban? Predicted Spurs XI against Forest

> Three or four at the back? Predicted Forest XI against Spurs

> Is Bentancur available again? Tottenham injury list for Forest clash


Southampton vs. West Ham (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Ivan Juric in charge of Torino in May 2024© Imago

Boxing Day marks the beginning of a new era for Premier League basement boys Southampton, as Ivan Juric takes charge of his inaugural game at home to West Ham United.

The former Roma boss cast a watchful eye over the Saints' 0-0 draw with Fulham last time out, while Julen Lopetegui's Hammers played out their own stalemate with Brighton & Hove Albion.

We say: Southampton 1-1 West Ham United


Not since 2015 have West Ham fallen to defeat against the team starting the day at the bottom of the Premier League table, and while that trend should continue on Boxing Day, Lopetegui's men may have to be content with just the one point.

Missing two of their principle attacking threats in Antonio and Paqueta, the Irons will have their work cut out against a Saints backline that has been shored up since Russell Martin's exit, and Juric's Premier League tenure appears destined to begin with a low-scoring stalemate.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> One in, one out in midfield: Predicted West Ham XI against Southampton

> Juric to start two up top? Predicted Southampton XI against West Ham


Wolves vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.30pm)

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes on December 22, 2024© Imago

Manchester United look to make amends for a woeful performance last time out when they go to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day in the Premier League.

The Red Devils will go into the clash in the bottom half of the table at this stage in the season for the first time since 1989, after being humbled on home turf by Bournemouth on Sunday.

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Manchester United


In one of the most intriguing festive fixtures, it could be telling in how both club's seasons pan out, because another win for Pereira in his second game could see them cruise to safety.

Another defeat for United would be catastrophic, but they have a good record here and seem to be doing better on the road, so they will seek to capitalise on Wolves having the joint-worst home record in the division so far.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Rashford banished again? Is De Ligt fit? Man United predicted lineup vs. Wolves

> Will Ait-Nouri return after suspension? Wolves predicted lineup vs. Man United

> Latest Mount, De Ligt updates: Man United injury, suspension news vs. Wolves


Liverpool vs. Leicester (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring with teammates on December 22, 2024© Imago

Sweeping aside every obstacle in their path, Premier League title favourites Liverpool resume their pursuit of stardom at 8pm on Boxing Day, when Leicester City make the jaunt to Anfield.

The Reds closed out the pre-Christmas action with a breathtaking 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on December 22, while Ruud van Nistelrooy's men were humbled at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

We say: Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City


After a couple of defensive calamities, Leicester boss Van Nistlerooy might consider sacrificing an attacker to add an extra body in defence on Boxing Day, not that it should do much good for very long.

Slot's men may be guilty of giving an easy goal away right now, but any rearguard mistakes should be cancelled out by ruthless finishing, as the Reds maintain their healthy lead in first place.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> Ruud to rethink Foxes formation? Predicted Leicester XI against Liverpool

> Jota, Tsimikas among several Slot changes? Predicted Liverpool XI against Leicester

> Quartet walking suspension tightrope: Liverpool injury list for Leicester clash

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea18105338211735
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
4Arsenal1796234161833
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
12Brentford177283232023
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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