Manchester City vs. Everton – Boxing Day Clash
As the festive season unfolds, Manchester City prepares to host Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day, hoping to turn their fortunes around after a challenging spell. Both teams have much to prove in this fixture, with City looking to reclaim their winning form, while Everton seeks to build on recent resilience.
Manchester City faces uncertainty with key players. Manager Pep Guardiola will make late decisions on defender John Stones, who suffered a foot injury against Aston Villa, and both Matheus Nunes and goalkeeper Ederson, who missed the previous match. Their absence would be a significant blow to the City side, which has struggled in recent weeks.
On the other hand, Everton’s Dwight McNeil continues to manage a knee issue that sidelined him during the draw with Chelsea. Additionally, Ashley Young will miss the match due to a one-match suspension, though Armando Broja returns to availability after being ineligible against his parent club.
The historical context of this matchup heavily favors Manchester City. They remain unbeaten in their last 15 encounters with Everton, winning 13 of those matches. The Toffees have only managed a single victory in their last 22 Premier League meetings, with their last away win at City dating back 14 years. Their recent record against City is stark, with Everton’s last notable win in this fixture being a 4-0 triumph at Goodison Park in January 2017.
Currently, Manchester City is grappling with a troubling form, having lost nine of their last 12 matches across all competitions. Their only victory in this difficult stretch came against Nottingham Forest in early December. Despite being dominant in past Boxing Day fixtures, winning all seven home matches since their return to the top flight, the Citizens have faced challenges this season, particularly with conceding first in nine matches and a concerning 15% of shots faced resulting in goals.
Contrastingly, Everton has shown resilience, losing only two of their last 12 Premier League outings. However, they have struggled to secure victories against higher-ranked teams, with all three of their league wins this season coming against teams below them in the standings. The Toffees are unbeaten in their last eight Boxing Day away games, but their offensive struggles are evident, with a poor shot conversion rate and nine matches this season without a goal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be under scrutiny as he looks to end a 12-match scoreless streak in the Premier League, while Everton’s defense has been commendable, boasting the cleanest sheets since October across Europe’s top leagues.
As Boxing Day approaches, Manchester City will be eager to leverage home advantage and end their troubling run, while Everton strives to maintain their recent form. This clash promises to be an intriguing battle, with both teams having everything to gain and much to lose in this festive fixture. Fans will be hoping for fireworks as the teams take to the pitch, with each side aiming for a crucial victory amidst the holiday spirit.
Chelsea vs. Fulham at Stamford
As the festive season unfolds, Chelsea and Fulham are set to face off in a captivating London derby at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, but the stakes are high as they aim to secure crucial points in the Premier League.
Chelsea enters the match with a clean bill of health, save for a few notable absentees. Marc Cucurella returns from suspension, providing a boost to the squad, while Romeo Lavia continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Benoit Badiashile remain sidelined, which could impact the Blues’ defensive strategies.
Fulham, on the other hand, will assess the fitness of key players Emile Smith Rowe, Sasa Lukic, and Sander Berge ahead of the match. They will be bolstered by the return of Andreas Pereira from suspension, adding depth to their attacking options.
Historically, Chelsea has dominated this fixture, winning 23 of the last 25 encounters across all competitions. Fulham’s only victory against their rivals came in January of last year at Craven Cottage, and they have not triumphed at Stamford Bridge since a Second Division win back in 1979. With Chelsea losing only two of the last 34 Premier League meetings, it’s clear that the Blues hold a psychological edge going into this encounter.
Chelsea’s recent form has been somewhat mixed, with their latest draw against Everton snapping an impressive eight-match winning streak in all competitions. This draw marked their first match in 16 league games without scoring, a statistic they will be eager to rectify. Nevertheless, they will spend Christmas in the top two for the first time since the 2016-17 season—a testament to their strong performance thus far.
Boxing Day has been a tricky fixture for Chelsea historically, having lost all six of their Premier League defeats in London. Recent statistics reveal that despite their overall dominance, they have only won two of their last 11 London derbies on December 26. However, with players like Nicolas Jackson in fine form—boasting 15 goals in 19 Premier League starts at home—the Blues will aim to turn the tide in their favor.
Fulham arrives at Stamford Bridge with a solid run of form, having equaled their longest unbeaten streak in Premier League history at five matches, although they managed just one win in that sequence. With 25 points after 17 matches, they are on track for their joint-highest tally at this stage of the season, matching their record set under Chris Coleman in 2003-04. However, their recent 0-0 draw against Southampton ended a club record of scoring in 15 consecutive Premier League games. Fulham will be looking to find the back of the net again and maintain their attacking momentum. Antonee Robinson has been a standout performer, contributing significantly with six assists, which ranks him among the top playmakers in the league this season.
This Boxing Day encounter promises to be a thrilling contest as Chelsea looks to assert their dominance at home while Fulham seeks to make a statement in a crucial London derby. With both teams motivated to secure a win, fans can expect an exciting match filled with intensity and drama. Will Chelsea maintain their stronghold, or will Fulham rise to the occasion? Only time will tell as the action unfolds at Stamford Bridge.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United
As the excitement builds for this year’s Boxing Day showdown between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United, both teams find themselves at pivotal points in their respective seasons. The clash at Molineux promises to be a compelling contest, with each side hoping to secure crucial points in the Premier League.
Wolves welcome back wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is available after serving a one-match suspension. Midfielder Mario Lemina is a concern for head coach Vitor Pereira, as he faces a fitness test following a minor calf injury that kept him out of the recent victory against Leicester City. Wolves will look to capitalize on their attacking form, with Matheus Cunha and Gonçalo Guedes in fine fettle, having contributed significantly to their recent performances.
For Manchester United, head coach Ruben Amorim faces tough decisions ahead of the match. The unsettled Marcus Rashford’s inclusion in the matchday squad is uncertain. Additionally, the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt, who has been sidelined due to illness, is being monitored closely, while Victor Lindelof’s absence due to injury must be assessed. United’s shaky form has seen them lose three of their last four league matches, raising questions about their consistency and defensive solidity.
Historically, Manchester United have had the upper hand over Wolves, particularly in away fixtures. United are chasing their fifth consecutive away win against Wolves, and they haven’t lost at Molineux since April 2019, a streak spanning six matches in all competitions. The last encounter saw United snatch a dramatic 4-3 win in February, courtesy of a last-gasp goal, which speaks to the intense rivalry between the two sides.
Wolves enter this match steeped in pressure, having found themselves in the Premier League relegation zone on Christmas Day for the fourth time. However, their impressive record of being unbeaten in the last seven Boxing Day league games (W5, D2) offers a glimmer of hope. The team has struggled defensively this season, managing just one clean sheet at home, which they will need to improve upon if they aim to secure points against a formidable United side.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s form is concerning, as they sit in the bottom half of the table for the first time at Christmas since the 1989-90 season. Their struggles have been compounded by a lack of defensive organization, especially from set pieces, where they have conceded the most goals in a calendar year. Despite these challenges, United’s record of 54 wins on Boxing Day is a legacy they aim to uphold.
For Wolves, the attacking duo of Matheus Cunha and Gonçalo Guedes will be crucial. Cunha’s involvement in nine goals over his last nine league games underscores his importance, while Guedes’ contributions could prove vital in breaking down United’s defense.
For Manchester United, Amad Diallo is a player to watch, having been involved in 10 goals in his last 11 appearances across competitions. However, Bruno Fernandes will be eager to break his drought against Wolves, having failed to score in his eight Premier League encounters with them.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Wolves are desperate to climb away from the relegation zone, while Manchester United seeks to reignite their season and restore confidence. With history on United’s side and Wolves determined to make a statement, this Boxing Day clash promises to deliver excitement and drama.
Liverpool vs. Leicester City –
As the festive season unfolds, Anfield is set to welcome Leicester City for a crucial Boxing Day encounter against Liverpool. Both teams are navigating their own challenges, which will undoubtedly influence the match’s outcome.
Liverpool will continue to face defensive dilemmas, with Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley sidelined due to injuries. However, the potential return of Diogo Jota could provide a significant boost to the attacking line. Jota’s creativity and goal-scoring ability could be pivotal as Liverpool looks to capitalize on home advantage. Additionally, Curtis Jones may be in line for a start as head coach Arne Slot considers refreshing the squad after recent fixtures.
Leicester’s situation is equally precarious, with captain Jamie Vardy undergoing assessment after picking up knocks in their last match against Wolves. The absence of Vardy would be a considerable blow, given his experience and scoring ability. Furthermore, first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen remains a doubt, forcing manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to decide between Danny Ward, who has faced criticism from fans, and Jakub Stolarczyk, who is back in contention. This lack of stability in goal could present Liverpool with several opportunities.
Historically, Liverpool has dominated this matchup at Anfield, remaining unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games against Leicester. The Foxes have managed just two victories in their last 12 league encounters with the Reds, losing nine, which sets a daunting stage for the visitors.
Liverpool’s form has been impressive, with only one defeat in their last 25 matches under Arne Slot (W21, D3). They are currently on a strong run, bolstered by an unbeaten streak that has kept them in contention for top honors this season. The team has also enjoyed a successful Boxing Day tradition, winning their last seven league matches on this date and not losing at home on December 26 since 1986. Mohamed Salah continues to make headlines, not only as a prolific scorer but also as a playmaker, having achieved double figures in both goals and assists for six consecutive seasons.
Leicester City will come into this match looking to break a dismal run, having won just one of their last nine league games (D2, L6). They are at risk of suffering three consecutive league defeats by at least three goals for the first time since 1958. Additionally, Leicester has struggled defensively, conceding the opening goal in a league-high 13 of their 17 top-flight fixtures this season. Their historical struggles on Boxing Day make this match even more challenging, with their only win in the last decade on this date coming against Manchester City in 2018.
For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah remains the standout player, closing in on his 100th home goal in the Premier League. Diogo Jota’s potential return adds another dimension to the attack, while Curtis Jones could play a crucial role in midfield, especially if he gets the nod to start.
For Leicester, Jamie Vardy’s fitness will be pivotal if he plays, given his historical success against Liverpool. However, his struggles on Boxing Day could continue to be a concern if he is unable to find the back of the net.
As both teams prepare for this festive showdown, the contrast in form and confidence is evident. Liverpool will aim to maintain their strong home record, while Leicester will be desperate to find a way to disrupt the Reds’ momentum. If the Foxes can withstand Liverpool’s attacking threats and manage to score first, they may unsettle the home side. However, based on the current trajectories and statistical trends, Liverpool emerges as the clear favorite to secure a vital win at Anfield this Boxing Day.
Other Matches on Boxing Day
