- Five matches are set to take place in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
- We provide an analysis of these matches, along with betting odds and the current injury situation in the teams.
- We also look at outright odds for the Premier League and how the matches around Christmas and New Year may influence the standings.
Football on Boxing Day, a true classic, is eagerly anticipated. Fans all over the world will follow these matches closely, and we are in for a quite the treat. Below, you can find helpful information about these matches, along with the latest odds.
For more details on what’s on offer for betting during Boxing Day, be sure to check out our Boxing Day section.
Newcastle – Nottingham (12:30)
St. James' Park
Newcastle urgently needs to win their matches to stay in the race for a top four finish in the Premier League. With only six points from their last five matches and a recent defeat against Luton, their performance has been subpar. However, at St. James’ Park, they remain a formidable team, as evidenced by eight victories in nine league games this season. Alexander Isak, who has been dealing with injuries lately, seems ready for a full 90 minutes in what can already be termed a must-win match. They’re currently seven points behind the fourth place in the Premier League, and at home against Nottingham, they can’t afford to let that gap widen, can they?
Eddie Howe has been grappling with significant injury woes this season, and the squad still looks stretched, despite some improvement. There’s enough quality in Newcastle to secure three points at home against a struggling Nottingham. However, a word of caution: nothing should be taken for granted in this match.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Newcastle: H. Barnes, J. Murphy, E. Anderson, M. Targett, J. Willock, N. Pope, Joelinton, F. Schär, E. Krafth, S. Tonali, M. Ritchie.
Nottingham: T. Awoniyi, W. Boly
Sheffield United – Luton (15:00)
Bramall Lane
Since Chris Wilder took the helm at Sheffield United, the team has improved a notch, and their recent 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa is a success worth celebrating. This is the stark reality for a Sheffield United that sits at the bottom of the Premier League table after 18 rounds. With just 9 points to their name, the team is five points from safety, and a significant turnaround will be needed for them to remain in the Premier League next season.
Luton is also deeply involved in the relegation battle. However, their recent three points against Newcastle have instilled a renewed sense of hope in the squad. It’s important to note that these points were earned on home ground. It’s a different story for Luton, who have managed only 4 points from 8 away matches so far this season. Facing Sheffield United, rejuvenated with new hope, could be a tough task for Luton.
While the odds do not entice us to place a bet on this match, perhaps a Double Chance, 1X, might be a viable option?
Injuries & Suspensions:
Sheffield United: J. Egan, T. Davies, C. Basham, J.Bogle.
Luton: T. Lockyer
Bournemouth – Fulham (15:00)
Dean Court
Bournemouth is showcasing impressive form, steadily ascending in the league table. In their latest outing, they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory away against Nottingham. The star of this victory was once again 26-year-old Dominic Solanke, who not only netted a hat-trick but also scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute. Despite this success, the performance of Iraolas’ team, which played with an extra man for over an hour, was not entirely convincing. Their showing in the halted match against Luton, which ended in a 1-1 draw, also highlighted some weaknesses. Nevertheless, with six consecutive league matches without a loss, it’s hard to be too critical. The upcoming match against Fulham presents a prime opportunity for Bournemouth to break into the top 10 of the table and make a strong statement.
Fulham, on the other hand, continues to be unpredictable in their performances. If they manage to neutralize Solanke in the upcoming match, they’ll have achieved half the task already, but that’s easier said than done. Fulham’s last match ended with a 0-2 home loss to Burnley, following a 0-3 defeat against Newcastle. These are results the team would quickly like to forget, especially as there was a positive trend before these matches. The reality, however, is that Fulham has been one of the league’s worst away teams so far, and against a soaring Bournemouth, they could face significant challenges. We’re betting on a home victory here, hoping that a red-hot Solanke will lead us to a win.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Bournemouth: R. Fredericks, D. Randolph, T. Adams, E. Marcondes.
Fulham: A. Traoré, T. Francois, T. Ream, R. Jiménez.
Burnley – Liverpool (17:30)
Turf Moor
Despite their recent 2-0 away win against Fulham, Burnley remains second-last in the Premier League table. They are three points behind Nottingham in 17th place, and a significant effort will be needed to secure a contract for the next Premier League season. So far, Burnley has been disastrous at home at Turf Moor, having managed only three points from nine matches – a performance far from satisfactory. Now, they face a daunting challenge against a Liverpool team in good form, chasing the league’s top spot.
Jürgen Klopp has witnessed his team’s inconsistent performance this season, but despite this, they hold a stable second place in the league. In their recent early “league final” against Arsenal, they settled for a 1-1 draw in an even match at Anfield that could have gone either way but ended fairly in shared points. Liverpool’s away performance’s has left more to be desired, with only four wins in nine attempts. However, they now have an excellent opportunity to improve these figures, and we are fairly confident they will rise to the occasion. Any odds over 1.35 for an away win seem like a relatively good bet beforehand, but at many betting sites, the odds have dropped lower than that closer to kickoff.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Burnley: L.Foster, L. Koleosho.
Liverpool: Thiago, J. Matip, S. Bajcetic, A. Robertson, D. Jota, A. Mac Allister, B. Doak, K. Tsimikas.
Manchester United – Aston Villa (20:00)
Old Trafford
The rollercoaster ride that is Manchester United continues week after week. To say they’ve already gone off the deep end might be a more fitting description of their current state. It’s nothing short of chaotic in the United camp, and this could very well be Erik Ten Hag’s last match as the club’s manager. With just one win in their last five games and an exit from the Champions League at the bottom of their group, it’s a situation that can only be described as dismal. This is likely Ten Hag’s last chance. The fact that they’re facing a red-hot Aston Villa at Old Trafford only adds to the ominous feeling.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, has been on an upward trajectory this season. Currently sitting in third place in the league, just a point off the lead, their success is well deserved. Despite a recent setback in a 1-1 draw at home against Sheffield United, their brilliant season allows for some leeway for minor mishaps like this. As the team heads to Manchester, the chances seem incredibly good for them to exacerbate United’s woes. With odds reaching 3.70 on this outcome, we’re excited to seize this opportunity and place a bet with William Hill.
Injuries & Suspensions:
Manchester United: T. Malacia, L. Martinez, Casemiro, M. Mount, V. Lindelöf, A. Diallo, H. Maguire, R. Varane, J. Sancho.
Aston Villa: T. Mings, E. Buendia, B. Traoré, B. Kamara, M. Cash.
Outright Odds Premier League
As we take a closer look at the Boxing Day matches in the Premier League, it’s also time to examine what the betting sites predict for the league winner. With this round marking the midpoint of the league season, it’s an opportune moment to delve into this aspect. We’ve sourced the odds from bet365, which we regard as one of the leading betting sites for odds on all types of futures betting.
| Team | Odds | Bookie |
| Manchester City | 2.25 | bet365 |
| Arsenal | 3.50 | bet365 |
| Liverpool | 3.75 | bet365 |
| Aston Villa | 21.00 | bet365 |
| Tottenham | 26.00 | bet365 |
| Newcastle | 301.00 | bet365 |
| Manchester United | 301.00 | bet365 |
| Chelsea | 1001.00 | bet365 |
| West Ham | 1001.00 | bet365 |
| Brighton | 1501.00 | bet365 |
| Fulham | 2501.00 | bet365 |
| Brentford | 2501.00 | bet365 |
| Bournemouth | 3001.00 | bet365 |
| Crystal Palace | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Burnley | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Everton | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Luton | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Nottingham | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Sheffield United | 4501.00 | bet365 |
| Wolverhampton | 4501.00 | bet365 |
