• MONDAY, DECEMBER 26: Brentford v Tottenham, 4.30pm (UAE): Harry Kane may not have found enough to take England all the way at the World Cup, but his contribution, as usual, was massive, and he is so much more than just a prolific goalscorer. Brentford manager Thomas Frank has just signed a new contract, and has worked wonders at the Bees. Prediction: Brentford 1 Tottenham 2. AP
    MONDAY, DECEMBER 26: Brentford v Tottenham, 4.30pm (UAE): Harry Kane may not have found enough to take England all the way at the World Cup, but his contribution, as usual, was massive, and he is so much more than just a prolific goalscorer. Brentford manager Thomas Frank has just signed a new contract, and has worked wonders at the Bees. Prediction: Brentford 1 Tottenham 2. AP
  • Crystal Palace v Fulham (7pm): Fulham manager Marco Silva is defying the odds at Craven Cottage, with his pre-season relegation favourites sitting comfortably in ninth place. Palace have the same number of points, and this will be down to whoever starts better after the lengthy break. Prediction: Palace 1 Fulham 2. PA
    Crystal Palace v Fulham (7pm): Fulham manager Marco Silva is defying the odds at Craven Cottage, with his pre-season relegation favourites sitting comfortably in ninth place. Palace have the same number of points, and this will be down to whoever starts better after the lengthy break. Prediction: Palace 1 Fulham 2. PA
  • Everton v Wolves (7pm): Everton lost three games on the bounce in November before the Premier League made way for the World Cup. Maybe the break was a relief for manager Frank Lampard, but he certainly needs a lucky break or two if he is to keep his job. Prediction: Everton 1 Wolves 1. PA
    Everton v Wolves (7pm): Everton lost three games on the bounce in November before the Premier League made way for the World Cup. Maybe the break was a relief for manager Frank Lampard, but he certainly needs a lucky break or two if he is to keep his job. Prediction: Everton 1 Wolves 1. PA
  • Leicester City v Newcastle United (7pm): Eddie Howe's Newcastle are undoubtedly one of the success stories of the season, sitting in third place just two points behind champions Manchester City. They also have the means to strengthen in the transfer window, and a Champions League place is a real possibility. Prediction: Leicester 1 Newcastle 2. Getty
    Leicester City v Newcastle United (7pm): Eddie Howe's Newcastle are undoubtedly one of the success stories of the season, sitting in third place just two points behind champions Manchester City. They also have the means to strengthen in the transfer window, and a Champions League place is a real possibility. Prediction: Leicester 1 Newcastle 2. Getty
  • Southampton v Brighton (7pm): This will be new Saints manager Nathan Jones' first Premier League match in charge at St Mary's and he admits he's desperate to get the better of former club Brighton. They need to, sitting second bottom. Prediction: Southampton 1 Brighton 0. PA
    Southampton v Brighton (7pm): This will be new Saints manager Nathan Jones' first Premier League match in charge at St Mary's and he admits he's desperate to get the better of former club Brighton. They need to, sitting second bottom. Prediction: Southampton 1 Brighton 0. PA
  • Aston Villa v Liverpool (9.30pm): The World Cup was undoubtedly a poorer spectacle without the breathtaking skills of Mohamed Salah after Egypt failed to qualify. But that means he is well rested, where others are fatigued. Look out Premier League. Prediction: Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 3. EPA
    Aston Villa v Liverpool (9.30pm): The World Cup was undoubtedly a poorer spectacle without the breathtaking skills of Mohamed Salah after Egypt failed to qualify. But that means he is well rested, where others are fatigued. Look out Premier League. Prediction: Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 3. EPA
  • Arsenal v West Ham (midnight): Desperate news for table-topping Arsenal that striker Gabriel Jesus will be out for at least three months after knee surgery. Manager Mikel Arteta will have his work cut out trying to keep Manchester City at bay, but he is proving to be a fine manager. Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 1. Getty
    Arsenal v West Ham (midnight): Desperate news for table-topping Arsenal that striker Gabriel Jesus will be out for at least three months after knee surgery. Manager Mikel Arteta will have his work cut out trying to keep Manchester City at bay, but he is proving to be a fine manager. Prediction: Arsenal 3 West Ham 1. Getty
  • SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27: Chelsea v Bournemouth (9.30pm): Hakim Ziyech was one of the fairy tale stories of the World Cup as Morocco progressed to the semi-finals. Will Blues boss Graham Potter now show some faith in him? If not, there will be other clubs circling in January. Prediction: Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 0. Getty
    SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27: Chelsea v Bournemouth (9.30pm): Hakim Ziyech was one of the fairy tale stories of the World Cup as Morocco progressed to the semi-finals. Will Blues boss Graham Potter now show some faith in him? If not, there will be other clubs circling in January. Prediction: Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 0. Getty
  • Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (midnight): A new era beckons at United after Cristiano Ronaldo's surly departure. Marcus Rashford has been in fine form, and this could be the start of something special for the striker after extending his contract. Erik ten Hag needs to get results now. Prediction: Manchester United 3 Nottingham Forest 0. PA
    Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (midnight): A new era beckons at United after Cristiano Ronaldo's surly departure. Marcus Rashford has been in fine form, and this could be the start of something special for the striker after extending his contract. Erik ten Hag needs to get results now. Prediction: Manchester United 3 Nottingham Forest 0. PA
  • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28: Leeds United v Manchester City (midnight): City striker Erling Haaland, with 24 goals already this season, has just had a lengthy break during the World Cup, so is fit, refreshed, and raring to go. Look away now, Leeds fans. Prediction: Leeds 0 Manchester City 4. Getty
    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28: Leeds United v Manchester City (midnight): City striker Erling Haaland, with 24 goals already this season, has just had a lengthy break during the World Cup, so is fit, refreshed, and raring to go. Look away now, Leeds fans. Prediction: Leeds 0 Manchester City 4. Getty

Sport

Football

Premier League predictions: Man United maul Forest, Liverpool lash Villa

We pick out the winners and losers from the festive round of English top-flight fixtures

Dominic Hart

December 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Forty-three days after breaking for the World Cup, the Premier League is back on Boxing Day, promising plenty more drama and upsets.

Just eight days after Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar, the stars are back in action with their clubs, and time will tell if all the efforts in the tournament have taken a toll.

Pleasingly for Manchester City, Erling Haaland wasn't involved in the World Cup, and they hope he will be firing on all cylinders when the champions resume action on Wednesday.

But before that, Brentford and Tottenham get the party started again on Boxing Day at 4.30pm UAE time, with six other matches on Monday including Aston Villa against Liverpool, and leaders Arsenal hosting West Ham United in the late game.

Tuesday has two matches, with Chelsea facing Bournemouth, and Manchester United up against Nottingham Forest, before City round off the resumption at Leeds United the following day.

You can see our predictions for the Christmas round of fixtures in the photo gallery above.

Updated: December 25, 2022, 4:10 AM
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