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22 Dec 2025 | Sportsbetting
Premier League Matchday Predictions - Boxing Day 2025/26
All predictions for Premier League matchday 18 of the 2025/26 season. From Man United vs. Newcastle to Arsenal vs. Brighton. Current form and tips at a glance.
approx. 3 min.
Premier League Matchday Predictions - Boxing Day 2025/26
In England, Boxing Day football is just as much a tradition as the Christmas celebrations themselves. Between December 26th and 28th, the Premier League schedule becomes incredibly congested, a chaotic period that historically delivers shocking upsets, high-intensity battles, and goals galore. For many clubs, these fixtures serve as the ultimate litmus test before the year ends—some will use the window to make a bold statement, while others may continue their downward spiral. While the heavyweights fight for every single point to stay in the title race, the teams at the bottom are already playing high-stakes games to avoid relegation. Between the marquee matchups and emotional night games under the floodlights, this is easily one of the most gripping stretches of the season. Boxing Day is football at its most English.
Merkur's Quick-Fire Tips for the Premier League Boxing Day Fixtures
Man United vs. Newcastle
Manchester United have shown flashes of brilliance lately, but their lack of consistency and clinical finishing cost them against Aston Villa. Playing on home turf this Boxing Day, the Red Devils will be desperate to take more initiative and finally get the results their effort deserves. On the other side, Newcastle arrive brimming with confidence. Their recent draw with Chelsea was largely fueled by Nick Woltemade, whose early brace highlighted his incredible current form. However, that match also exposed a recurring weakness: the Magpies struggle defensively when they are forced to play a low block.
Tip: Draw
Nottingham vs. Man City
Under Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest have had a bit of a rollercoaster season; they've had some bright spots, but they're still languishing in the bottom half of the table. Facing Manchester City, they'll likely park the bus and rely on lightning-fast transitions to catch City on the break. City, meanwhile, are firing on all cylinders. With Erling Haaland continuing his dominance and being involved in almost every attacking move, the Sky Blues look poised, professional, and lethal in front of goal.
Tip: 2 + over 3.5 goals
Arsenal vs. Brighton
Arsenal are looking rock-solid right now, proving once again that they can grind out tough results, as seen in their gritty victory over Everton. Mikel Arteta has built a defensively disciplined unit with impressive depth across the board. Sitting at the top of the table, the Gunners are determined to maintain their momentum through the holidays. Brighton, conversely, are hitting a rough patch. After dropping points in several recent games, including a scoreless draw with Sunderland, they face a daunting task heading into the home of the league leaders.
Tip: 1
Brentford vs. Bournemouth
Brentford are currently enjoying a period of stability. Their 2-0 victory away at a struggling Wolves side was a well-earned result, leaving the Bees comfortably in 12th place. The emergence of Lewis-Potter, who recently bagged two goals, has provided a significant boost. Interestingly, most of their losses this season have come exclusively against the league's elite. Bournemouth, however, seem to be stuck in neutral. A 1-1 draw against 19th-place Burnley marked their third straight stalemate, offering very little help in their quest to climb away from the relegation zone.
Tip: Draw
Burnley vs. Everton
Burnley are struggling to find any real rhythm at the bottom of the standings. Their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth failed to provide the spark they desperately need in their fight for survival. Their recent record—just two wins and eleven points from ten matches—paints a bleak picture. Everton, on the other hand, put up a brave fight in their 1-0 loss to Arsenal. They were competitive for most of the game, and it felt like a fluke handball decision rather than a dominant Arsenal performance that decided the outcome.
Tip: 2
Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton
Liverpool secured a vital win against Tottenham recently, but the match highlighted some lingering issues in their attack, even when they had a man advantage. On a positive note, Florian Wirtz finally opened his Premier League account with his first goal contribution. Wolverhampton, meanwhile, are in dire straits. With only two points from 17 games and a staggering 15 losses, they look completely out of their depth. The squad currently lacks the quality required to compete at the Premier League level.
Tip: 1 + over 3.5 goals
West Ham vs. Fulham
West Ham are enduring a winless drought and are feeling the heat. With their back against the wall, securing points at home has become an absolute necessity. Fulham have shown signs of improvement under Marco Silva, but they've struggled to turn decent performances into actual wins. Also sitting in the lower third of the table, the Cottagers know that winning this head-to-head clash would be a massive confidence booster heading into January.
Tip: 2
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
Chelsea showed a lot of grit recently, fighting back from an early deficit to salvage a draw against Newcastle. While their first-half performance was lackluster, they looked like a different team after the break. Now, playing at home on Boxing Day, the Blues are under immense pressure to put in a dominant, statement-making performance.
Aston Villa head to London riding a wave of confidence. A streak of ten consecutive wins in all competitions is an incredible achievement, and Unai Emery has his side playing with great efficiency and defensive discipline. With Rogers in scintillating form, Villa are currently operating with the maturity and composure of a true title contender.
Tip: Draw
Sunderland vs. Leeds United
As a newly promoted side, Sunderland have been one of the season's biggest surprises. Their current 6th-place spot is a testament to a clear playing philosophy and a well-rounded squad anchored by Xhaka. That said, a recent 0-0 draw with Brighton suggests their momentum may have plateaued. Leeds, meanwhile, arrive at the Stadium of Light in great spirits following a dominant 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.
Tip: 2
Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham
Crystal Palace are holding a respectable 8th place with 26 points, but Oliver Glasner's men continue to drop points in avoidable ways. Two straight losses have killed their momentum, even though they look capable of more consistency. Palace will be eager to bounce back in front of their own fans. Tottenham, however, enter this fixture bruised after a painful loss to Liverpool that saw them receive two red cards. Beyond the scoreline, the lack of discipline and a stagnant attack left Spurs looking completely lost.
Tip: 1
