Boxing Day gifts for Tottenham and Chelsea, and festive fun for Manchester United: The Premier League predictions

A look ahead to the action in England's top flight on Thursday and Friday

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  Tottenham v Brighton, Thursday, 4.30pm: A bad day in the office for Jose Mourinho and striker Son Heung-Min as they were beaten by Chelsea. Mourinho suffered his first home defeat against a team he had previously managed, having won 12 and drawn one of the previous 13 across all competitions. He will not like that one bit, and Brighton may be the team to suffer the consequences. AFP PREDICTION: Tottenham 3 Brighton 0

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  Aston Villa v Norwich, Thursday, 7pm: Villa head coach Dean Smith says: "Every game is a must-win." It's certainly getting that way as his side slip into the bottom three. Which is exactly where they were earlier in the season when they went to Norwich - and won 5-1. Jack Grealish needs more help if Villa are going to find consistency. Reuters PREDICTION: Aston Villa 2 Norwich 1

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  Bournemouth v Arsenal, Thursday, 7pm: What a tough first managerial job for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are in 11th place in the Premier League, and have won just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions. It's a tall order to expect Arteta to make a dramatic transformation but he has talented players at his disposal. How much fight do they have? PA PREDICTION: Bournemouth 2 Arsenal 1

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  Chelsea v Southampton, Thursday, 7pm: A tough period for Frank Lampard and Chelsea was eased by the impressive 2-0 win at Tottenham. The Blues have still lost four of their last six league games so it remains to be seen whether Willian's two goals are enough to put them right going forward. Getty PREDICTION: Chelsea 3 Southampton 1

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  Crystal Palace v West Ham, Thursday, 7pm: The Hammers have won two of their past three away league games and that's keeping them out of the bottom three, but only just. They missed out on the last round with intended opponents Liverpool away at the Club World Cup. It gives them a game in hand and a result at Palace - where they are unbeaten in five - will get them moving up the table. Getty PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1 West Ham 2

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  Everton v Burnley, Thursday, 7pm: Another new manager makes his debut, this time the vastly experienced Carlo Ancelotti. He has somewhat optimistically targeted Champions League qualification and winning trophies at Goodison Park. Lofty ambitions but Everton have gone three league games without defeat for the first time this season and confidence is returning. Getty PREDICTION: Everton 2 Burnley 0

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  Sheffield United v Watford, Thursday, 7pm: What a marvellous competition the Premier League is. One win all season and rock bottom, Watford went out in their last game and beat Manchester United 2-0. They are still bottom, and manager Nigel Pearson has his work cut out to even give them some hope of avoiding the drop, but that last result proves anything can happen. Getty PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1 Watford 1

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  Manchester United v Newcastle, Thursday, 9.30pm: Manchester United's defeat at Watford was their first loss in seven league matches, but it will have hurt manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It wasn't just the result, but the lack of quality. Paul Pogba should start against Newcastle and that will make a big diference. PA PREDICITION: Manchester United 2 Newcastle 1

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  Leicester v Liverpool, Thursday, midnight: European champions, World Club Cup winners, runaway leaders of the Premier League. Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino has started scoring again as well. This is some season for Liverpool, and even though Leicester are their closest challengers, they are likely to be too strong. AFP PREDICTION: Leicester 1 Liverpool 2

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  Wolves v Manchester City, Friday, 11.45pm: Riyad Mahrez had ten shots in the 3-1 win over Leicester. Even though he only scored once, it was evidence of City's incredible goal threat and abundance of attacking talent. Wolves are a very decent side but concede too many, and Pep Guardiola's side seem to have found their momentum. AP PREDICTION: Wolves 1 Manchester City 3

Boxing Day, the start of three Premier League rounds in a week, and some season-defining results.

With nine points up for grabs in such a short space of time, the table can look very different at the end of the festive period.

Just one thing is a certainty; Liverpool will still be top of the pile come the end of the matches next week. Already ten points clear, their games at Leicester and then home to Wolves and Sheffield United are unlikely to threaten their supremacy.

Their trip to face former manager Brendan Rodgers' Leicester is the late game on Boxing Day, kicking off at midnight.

The fun starts with Tottenham against Brighton at 4.30pm, then a busy schedule of 7pm kick-offs sees Chelsea host Southampton and Everton v Burnley.

Manchester United then take on Newcastle at 9.30pm, while the round of games concludes on Friday at 11.45pm with Manchester City visiting Wolves.

Ahead of the matches, Dominic Hart provides his predictions in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.