MANCHESTER UNITED VS NEWCASTLE UNITED
A standalone Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford sees Manchester United host Newcastle, with United coming into this game after a frustrating 2–1 loss to Aston Villa where a second-half brace from Morgan Rogers snapped their unbeaten run, while Newcastle travel south after a dramatic 2–2 draw with Chelsea that highlighted their resilience despite a difficult run. It has been an inconsistent month for Newcastle which sees them struggling to maintain a top-half spot, whereas United are navigating a massive blow with captain Bruno Fernandes sidelined through a hamstring injury. This becomes a crucial fixture for Ruben Amorim to prove his side can win without their talisman, especially as they look to climb from 7th back toward the European places. There are significant injury concerns for United with Mainoo, Maguire, and De Ligt out alongside AFCON absentees like Mbeumo, while Newcastle must cope without Botman and Trippier as they aim to end their poor festive record.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS MANCHESTER CITY
An early Saturday kick-off at the City Ground sees Nottingham Forest host Manchester City, with City coming into this game after an easy 3-0 dominant victory against West Ham that kept them within touching distance of the league summit, while Forest look to bounce back from a narrow 1–0 defeat to Fulham in their last outing. It has been a steady period of improvement for Forest under Sean Dyche which sees them sitting five points clear of the drop, whereas City are dealing with the absence of Rodri and Kovacic as they navigate a dense December schedule. This becomes a crucial fixture for Pep Guardiola to keep the pressure on Arsenal, knowing that any slip-up could widen the gap at the top. There are no new injury concerns for City beyond their long-term absentees while Forest will be missing the likes of Chris Wood and Ryan Yates, making the task of stopping Erling Haaland even more daunting.
LIVERPOOL VS WOLVES
The kick-off at Anfield sees Liverpool host Wolves, with Liverpool coming into this game after a statement 2–1 win over Tottenham that kept their title dreams alive, while Wolves travel to Merseyside after a gritty performance against Arsenal where they were only denied by late stoppage-time misfortune. It has been a period of adjustment for Liverpool under Arne Slot which sees them coping without Mohamed Salah due to AFCON, whereas Wolves have shown they can compete with the top sides despite their lowly position. This becomes a crucial fixture for Liverpool to maintain their home stronghold, especially with Alexander Isak now sidelined for a lengthy spell following surgery. There are fresh fitness tests for Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo who are rated 50/50, while Wolves are boosted by the return of Yerson Mosquera from suspension but must deal with an injury to captain Toti Gomes.
ARSENAL VS BRIGHTON
A late afternoon clash at the Emirates sees Arsenal host Brighton, with the Gunners coming into this game fresh from a tense penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup to secure a semi-final date with Chelsea, while Brighton arrive looking to snap a four match winless streak that has stalled their European charge. It has been a dominant run for Arsenal at home which sees them unbeaten at the Emirates this season, whereas Brighton have struggled for goals lately, failing to score in their last two league games. This becomes a crucial fixture for Mikel Arteta to ensure his side stays top of the table heading into the New Year, avoiding the “festive fade” that has plagued previous campaigns. Arsenal face several defensive absentees with Gabriel and Ben White missing, while Brighton are hopeful that Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke can return to the starting lineup.
CHELSEA VS ASTON VILLA
A high-stakes evening kick-off at Stamford Bridge sees Chelsea host Aston Villa, with Chelsea coming into this game after a spirited comeback to draw 2–2 with Newcastle, while Villa arrive as the league’s most in-form side after a 2–1 victory over Manchester United. It has been a testing period for Enzo Maresca who will serve a touchline ban for this fixture, whereas Unai Emery’s side are chasing a club-record 11th consecutive win in all competitions. This becomes a crucial fixture for the top-four battle as Villa have now moved within three points of the top spot, while Chelsea are desperate to find the consistency needed to stay in the Champions League places. There is a major boost for Chelsea with Estevao and Liam Delap returning to fitness and Cole Palmer ready for 90 minutes, while Villa will be without the injured Pau Torres and Ross Barkley.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS
A high-pressure Sunday afternoon clash at Selhurst Park sees Crystal Palace host Tottenham, with Palace coming into this game after a grueling 8–7 penalty shootout loss to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, while Tottenham arrive in South London looking to recover from a chaotic 2–1 home defeat to Liverpool. It has been a taxing period for Palace, who are currently juggling European and domestic duties which sees them sitting 8th in the table but showing signs of fatigue, whereas Tottenham have plummeted to 14th after a dismal run under Thomas Frank that has yielded just one win in eight league matches. This becomes a crucial fixture for both managers, as Oliver Glasner needs to arrest a four-match winless slump to keep the Eagles in the hunt for Europe, while Frank is desperate for a result to silence growing questions about his leadership. There are massive selection headaches for Spurs as both Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons are suspended following their red cards against Liverpool, while Palace are dealing with the absence of Chris Richards and Daniel Muñoz, though Jean-Philippe Mateta remains available to lead the line as he looks to add to his seven league goals.