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Welcome to round 18 of the English Premier League. On behalf of my family and colleagues at Flashscore, I'd like to wish readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I hope you enjoy plenty of good luck during the festive period and into 2026, starting on Friday evening at Old Trafford, when Manchester United and Newcastle United go head-to-head.
Premier League fans may be surprised to see only one game scheduled for Boxing Day 2025, with another seven top-flight fixtures played on Saturday. We have an interesting Sunday double header to wrap things up, with Sunderland hosting Leeds United at the Stadium of Light, and a cracking London derby at Selhurst Park involving Palace and Spurs.
All eyes will be on the Premier League over the holidays, and the leading online bookmakers aim to help you celebrate. The sportsbooks featured at Flashscore each offer over 100 pre-match betting markets on every EPL gameweek 18 attraction, including match-winner and specials. Football betting expert Frank Monkhouse lines up his six best bets.
Man Utd v Newcastle, Friday, 20:00 GMT
It's quality over quantity on Boxing Day, with Manchester United hosting Newcastle United at Old Trafford in the one scheduled match. The Red Devils haven't had things all their own way against the Magpies in recent years. Everyone in the home dressing room must prepare for a gruelling contest, knowing it'll take their very best to bank an important three points.
Newcastle United travel to the Theatre of Dreams as the underdogs at all major online bookmakers. That's nothing new to Eddie Howe's team. The visitors have already claimed some major scalps this term, including Manchester City in the Premier League and Athletic Club in the UEFA Champions League. They also beat Man Utd home and away last season.
Anything can happen when two big-name Premier League teams go head-to-head, especially in the middle of a hectic festive period. We take our lead from the stats available at Flashscore. The head-to-head shows a bet on over 2.5 goals landed in two of the previous three games. That run includes a 3-2 win for Man Utd and a 4-1 win for Newcastle.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need this fixture to produce three or more goals from both teams combined.
Nottingham Forest v Man City, Saturday, 12:30 GMT
The first match of a bumper Saturday in the Premier League comes from the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest play Manchester City. You can follow the play live on television, and entertainment is guaranteed. Which team will come out on top, the Tricky Trees or the title-challenging Cityzens? Bookmakers have the away win as the most likely outcome here.
Man City appear to have settled into their groove this season following a sticky start. They pulled clear of the pack to apply real pressure to long-term leaders Arsenal. Pep Guardiola knows his men must be consistent if they are to dethrone Liverpool and strike late to deny Arsenal the title. City boast an impressive run of form, and have been scoring goals for fun.
Pep and his coaching staff know Man City must improve defensively if they are serious about regaining the title. They conceded four goals at Fulham in their first match of December. At the other end of the pitch, Man City scored five against the Cottagers, put three past Sunderland, and got another three at Palace. Over 2.5 goals is the pick here.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Nottingham Forest v Man City ends with more than two goals scored, you'll secure a winning bet.
Arsenal v Brighton, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Arsenal went unchallenged at the top of the Premier League table for much of the campaign, but now have a menacing Man City for company. Winning the title won't be as easy as many expected. Everyone connected to the club know Mikel Arteta's side must learn the lessons from past failures and avoid suffering a dip in form at important times of the season.
Arsenal fans know three points at home to Brighton would nudge them another step closer to the prize, but the Seagulls aren't in town to make up the numbers. Brighton have shown us glimpses of their best form so far this season, hammering Leeds 3-0 and edging Newcastle 2-1. They love to play attacking football and have a decent record against the Gunners.
Both games involving Arsenal and Brighton finished in 1-1 draws last season. Interestingly, the H2H stats available at Flashscore show there were exactly two goals scored in each of the previous three games, and in four of five. That trend continued earlier this season when Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 here in the EFL Cup back in October. Bet on under 3.5 goals.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 1/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Saturday's game at the Etihad Stadium ends with fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined, you'll bank a profit.
Liverpool v Wolves, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
We switch our focus to a mouth-watering match at Anfield, where Liverpool are hot favourites in the betting to defeat a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that's stuck hard to the bottom of the league. We can take nothing for granted when betting on the Reds this season, but you've got to fancy them to deliver their fans a late Christmas win at home.
Wolves are staring at relegation to the Championship, and will likely be playing their football in the second tier next term, barring a footballing miracle. The visitors are struggling for goals and can't seem to defend. They've already suffered some heavy defeats, including a 4-1 at home to Man Utd, and a 3-0 beating at Stamford Bridge. I expect them to lose again here.
Liverpool don't have star striker Mo Salah to call on for this match, with the Egyptian at the African Cup of Nations. That may be a blessing in disguise for both parties, as the player and Arne Slot do not see eye to eye. Things haven't gone according to plan for the champions, but I expect them to make light work of a Wolves side that's down on their luck.
Tip: Liverpool win @ 2/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Liverpool beat Wolves, you'll beat the bookies.
Chelsea v Aston Villa, Saturday, 17:30 GMT
Pick of the bunch comes from London on Saturday evening, as Chelsea play Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. With both teams flying high and planning to finish in the top four, the Blues versus the Villains will live up to the pre-match hype. The Club World Cup champions have looked tired in recent weeks, with suggestions that a busy summer is catching up with them.
Aston Villa suffered a slow start to the Premier League season, spending much of the opening weeks closer to the relegation zone than pole position. Unai Emery's side is firmly back on track, blazing a trail through the division and towards the prize places. They've already beaten Arsenal this month and set their sights on downing another London giant.
The top four won't be decided on Saturday before a packed Stamford Bridge and a global TV audience, but the picture will become clearer. Can Chelsea or Villa challenge for the EPL title? Victory on Saturday would be a huge statement of intent for either team. I expect goals after the rivals shared six in two games last season, including a 3-0 home win at this venue.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Chelsea v Aston Villa must end with three or more goals scored.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham, Sunday, 16:30 GMT
The Premier League schedule features two games on Sunday, and we focus on the match at Selhurst Park, where Crystal Palace play fellow London side Tottenham Hotspur, live on TV. The Eagles are holding their own in the top flight, scoring impressive wins over Fulham and Brentford in recent weeks. Oliver Glasner's side is in the running for a European finish.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is beginning to feel the pressure, with some sections of the media and many fans already calling for him to be sacked. Spurs have failed to impress for much of this winter, dropping to midtable after a painful 3-0 defeat at the City Ground. They were also held to a 2-2 draw at St James' Park, and lost 4-1 in the North London derby.
Crystal Palace are no world-beaters, but they are a well-organised team that's fit, defends well, and know the way to goal. Tottenham's poor form on the road is a cause for concern, and the visitors don't fill backers with confidence. We go against Frank's team, backing an impressive Crystal Palace in the double chance market. A win pays the same as a draw.
Tip: Crystal Palace win or draw @ 2/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your bet is settled as a winner if Crystal Palace avoid defeat to Spurs at home.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.