• Fulham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Wednesday, 4.30pm. The early sheen of the takeover by Claudio Ranieri, pictured, at Fulham feels like a long time ago. The team are still too flimsy at the back and Wolverhampton will be too good for them, with their neat passing likely to create a lot of space to capitalise on. Getty
    Fulham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2. Wednesday, 4.30pm. The early sheen of the takeover by Claudio Ranieri, pictured, at Fulham feels like a long time ago. The team are still too flimsy at the back and Wolverhampton will be too good for them, with their neat passing likely to create a lot of space to capitalise on. Getty
  • Burnley 1 Everton 2. Wednesday, 7pm. A big game for both sides. Burnley have lost five of their past six and are in danger of getting sucked into a serious relegation fight. Everton have been inconsistent and lost heavily to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. But in Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson, pictured, they should have the quality to get the job done here. Action Images via Reuters
    Burnley 1 Everton 2. Wednesday, 7pm. A big game for both sides. Burnley have lost five of their past six and are in danger of getting sucked into a serious relegation fight. Everton have been inconsistent and lost heavily to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. But in Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson, pictured, they should have the quality to get the job done here. Action Images via Reuters
  • Crystal Palace 2 Cardiff City 1. Wednesday, 7pm. Palace produced one of the best results of the season on Saturday by shocking Manchester City 3-2. With Wilfried Zaha, James McArthur and Andros Townsend, pictured, all in good form they should pick up a third win in a row here against a Cardiff side who have lost their past six games on the bounce. EPA
    Crystal Palace 2 Cardiff City 1. Wednesday, 7pm. Palace produced one of the best results of the season on Saturday by shocking Manchester City 3-2. With Wilfried Zaha, James McArthur and Andros Townsend, pictured, all in good form they should pick up a third win in a row here against a Cardiff side who have lost their past six games on the bounce. EPA
  • Leicester City 2 Manchester City 2. Wednesday, 7pm. The sign of a successful side is how you respond to setbacks. City have always had strength in abundance but their defence is an area of concern, having not kept a clean sheet in their past five games. With Jamie Vardy, pictured right, and James Maddison a good combination, Leicester can, and will, trouble City. Action Images via Reuters
    Leicester City 2 Manchester City 2. Wednesday, 7pm. The sign of a successful side is how you respond to setbacks. City have always had strength in abundance but their defence is an area of concern, having not kept a clean sheet in their past five games. With Jamie Vardy, pictured right, and James Maddison a good combination, Leicester can, and will, trouble City. Action Images via Reuters
  • Liverpool 3 Newcastle United 0. Wednesday, 7pm. Liverpool are building real momentum. Jurgen Klopp has options on the bench if he needs them, and with Mohamed Salah, pictured, beginning to show ominous form to the rest of the league with goals in his past four games, this should be another comfortable win for the leaders. Reuters
    Liverpool 3 Newcastle United 0. Wednesday, 7pm. Liverpool are building real momentum. Jurgen Klopp has options on the bench if he needs them, and with Mohamed Salah, pictured, beginning to show ominous form to the rest of the league with goals in his past four games, this should be another comfortable win for the leaders. Reuters
  • Manchester United 5 Huddersfield Town 0, Wednesday, 7pm. United looked a team reborn under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's stewardship. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba, pictured, were all terrific against Cardiff and if they maintain that form they should give Huddersfield a miserable day. Reuters
    Manchester United 5 Huddersfield Town 0, Wednesday, 7pm. United looked a team reborn under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's stewardship. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba, pictured, were all terrific against Cardiff and if they maintain that form they should give Huddersfield a miserable day. Reuters
  • Tottenham Hotspur 4 Bournemouth 1, Wednesday, 7pm. Tottenham's demolition of Everton was a warning shot to the rest of the league that Mauricio Pochettino's men, as they have done before, are picking up momentum around the festive period. It is no coincidence this form has come with Dele Alli, pictured, appearing to be back at his best and there should be plenty more goals here for the London side. AP Photo
    Tottenham Hotspur 4 Bournemouth 1, Wednesday, 7pm. Tottenham's demolition of Everton was a warning shot to the rest of the league that Mauricio Pochettino's men, as they have done before, are picking up momentum around the festive period. It is no coincidence this form has come with Dele Alli, pictured, appearing to be back at his best and there should be plenty more goals here for the London side. AP Photo
  • Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Arsenal 2, Wednesday, 9.15pm. Arsenal hit back from losing two in a row with a win over Burnley on Saturday, which they made hard work of in the end. Unai Emery, pictured, should have too much in attack, in the shape of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, for struggling Brighton, who have not picked up a point since December 4. EPA
    Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Arsenal 2, Wednesday, 9.15pm. Arsenal hit back from losing two in a row with a win over Burnley on Saturday, which they made hard work of in the end. Unai Emery, pictured, should have too much in attack, in the shape of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, for struggling Brighton, who have not picked up a point since December 4. EPA
  • Watford 1 Chelsea 2, Wednesday, 11.30pm. Watford have impressed but do offer opportunities at the back and Eden Hazard, pictured right, can inspire an important win for Chelsea, who need a fast response after their loss at home to Leicester City on Saturday. Reuters
    Watford 1 Chelsea 2, Wednesday, 11.30pm. Watford have impressed but do offer opportunities at the back and Eden Hazard, pictured right, can inspire an important win for Chelsea, who need a fast response after their loss at home to Leicester City on Saturday. Reuters
  • Southampton 1 West Ham United 1, Thursday, 11.45pm. Southampton have enjoyed the initial reign of Ralph Hasenhuttl, pictured. West Ham will be a tough prospect, though. Poor finishing apart, they did not do a lot wrong in losing to Watford and this could well end up being a share of the spoils. Reuters
    Southampton 1 West Ham United 1, Thursday, 11.45pm. Southampton have enjoyed the initial reign of Ralph Hasenhuttl, pictured. West Ham will be a tough prospect, though. Poor finishing apart, they did not do a lot wrong in losing to Watford and this could well end up being a share of the spoils. Reuters

Liverpool extend title lead as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wins big at Old Trafford: Premier League predictions


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The Boxing Day schedule of Premier League games marks the half-way stage of the season.

It is a busy day on Wednesday with nine games being played, only Southampton and West Ham United, who face each other on Thursday night, are not in action.

Wednesday's games begin with struggling Fulham at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers at 4.30pm, UAE time.

There are then six matches at 7pm, with leaders Liverpool facing Newcastle United and former manager Rafa Benitez.

Manchester City (at Leicester City) and Tottenham Hotspur (at home to Bournemouth) are also playing at 7pm.

In the late games, there is Arsenal at Brighton and Hove Albion at 9.15pm and Watford playing host to Chelsea at 11.30pm.

Ahead of this round of fixtures, sports editor Graham Caygill has made his predictions and explained his reasoning in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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