Premier League Preview: Manchester United Takes On Newcastle United And Chelsea Meets Aston Villa In A Packed Year-End Schedule

‎The Premier League festive schedule continues in earnest as clubs aim to end 2025 on a high note.

‎With just one Boxing Day game this season, the action ramps up on Saturday with a full slate of fixtures that could reshape the top-of-the-table battle and relegation fight alike.

‎Manchester United vs Newcastle United

‎While 18 Premier League teams enjoy a rare December 26 break, Manchester United and Newcastle United square off in the only top-flight fixture on Boxing Day. 

‎At Old Trafford, both sides are desperate to snap their two-game winless streaks.

‎United entered having fallen 2–1 to title challengers Aston Villa, a result that halted their momentum but left them still within reach of the Champions League places.

‎The absence of Bruno Fernandes due to injury further compounds Amorim’s challenges, diminishing creative spark in a midfield that has struggled for consistency this season.

‎Newcastle, currently 11th, are coincidentally within touching distance of United in the table.

‎Their inability to close out games was exposed last weekend when they surrendered a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2 with Chelsea. Eddie Howe’s side has the attacking weapons to trouble United, but defensive lapses have hindered momentum.

‎In the historical head-to-head, Manchester United holds a commanding advantage with 92 wins to Newcastle’s 48, plus 41 draws.

‎However, recent meetings tell a different story: Newcastle have won five of their last six encounters against the Red Devils, including a 2–0 Premier League win at St James’ Park in December 2024 and a 4–1 victory in April 2025. These results illustrate Newcastle’s growing confidence against United particularly away from home.

‎Despite United’s strong overall record, they have managed only two wins in their last nine matches against Newcastle in all competitions.

‎At Old Trafford specifically, however, the Red Devils historically defend well, losing just two of their last 40 top-flight home games against the Magpies.

‎Veterans like Wayne Rooney, the fixture’s all-time top scorer with 13 goals, emphasize the long history between these sides, but this current chapter feels more evenly balanced.

‎Prediction: Manchester United 2–1 Newcastle United

‎Brentford vs Bournemouth 

‎Brentford welcome Bournemouth to the Gtech Community Stadium in a festive fixture that promises tension and late drama.

‎The Bees have carved out a reputation this season for scoring late; 11 of their Premier League goals have come after the 75th minute, and that trend continued with a vital 2–0 win over Wolves before Christmas.

‎Keane Lewis-Potter’s first league goals of the campaign sparked that victory and injected fresh belief into a side eager to build momentum.

‎Caoimhin Kelleher’s late penalty save in that match also secured Brentford their first clean sheet in nine top-flight outings. With many of their 23 league points coming at home, they delight supporters with spirited performances at the Gtech.

‎History offers further encouragement, Brentford are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Bournemouth, including six wins and a 2–0 Carabao Cup victory earlier this season.

‎In Premier League play, they have never tasted defeat against the Cherries a psychological edge that can be crucial in tight contests.

‎Bournemouth arrive in inconsistent form, though there are glimpses of attacking threat.

‎Their 4–4 draw with Manchester United earlier this month showed offensive flair; however, they are without a win in eight matches and have struggled on the road, claiming just one victory in eight away fixtures this season.

‎Defensive fragility compounds their woes; only Burnley have conceded more away goals, and they’ve dropped points late in matches on multiple occasions.

‎In terms of personnel, Brentford will be without Dango Ouattara (AFCON duty) and Frank Onyeka (also at AFCON), while Fabio Carvalho’s season is over due to knee surgery.

‎Reiss Nelson edges closer to fitness, and Igor Thiago remains a central attacking threat despite a current scoring drought. Bournemouth have their own injury concerns, with Veljko Milosavljevic, Tyler Adams, and Ben Doak unavailable, though Ryan Christie may feature.

‎Prediction: Brentford 2–1 Bournemouth

‎Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion 

‎Arsenal return to Emirates Stadium action against Brighton in a fixture that could further define the early Premier League title race.

‎Mikel Arteta’s side is top of the table at Christmas for the third time under his tenure and has nailed down an impressive home record, adjusting well even amid multiple injuries.

‎Their midweek EFL Cup victory over Crystal Palace saw eight changes, yet the performance illustrated strength in depth.

‎Arsenal currently leads a league where they’ve won 12 of 17 matches, remain unbeaten at home, and have dropped points in only one of their eight Emirates outings, a testament to their consistency.

‎History with Brighton at home is less dominant, with just three wins from eight Premier League meetings, with several matches finishing in draws.

‎Nonetheless, Arsenal have beaten the Seagulls three times at home by identical 2–0 scorelines, and their overall quality should edge this encounter.

‎Brighton arrive rooted in mid-table, experiencing a four-match winless run. Their tendency to struggle early in games, failing to score before half-time in 12 of their 17 league fixtures, shows a blunt attacking edge.

‎Yet they remain tough to beat and often provide spirited resistance, making them a tricky opponent.

‎Injuries impact both camps: Arsenal is without Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Kai Havertz, and Max Dowman, while Brighton is set to welcome Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez back from suspension, with Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke nearing returns.

‎Prediction: Arsenal 3–1 Brighton & Hove Albion

‎Chelsea vs Aston Villa

‎Chelsea host Aston Villa in a tea-time kick-off that pits West London’s middling form against one of the Premier League’s hottest sides.

‎Chelsea’s season has lost some momentum; once third and level on points with Villa in late November, they now find themselves seven points adrift of their visitors as December unfolds.

‎Enzo Maresca’s men go into this weekend on the back of just one win in their last five league matches, though their home form has been steadier, securing seven of the last nine available points at Stamford Bridge.

‎Clean sheets against Wolves and Everton demonstrate defensive potential, but defeats to Brighton and Sunderland exposed vulnerability in front of home crowds.

‎Aston Villa’s revival under Unai Emery has been remarkable. After a stuttering start, the Villans have collected 33 of 36 possible points, lifting them into the title conversation.

‎Their clinical edge in tight moments and ability to grind out results make them dangerous opponents anywhere.

‎Chelsea’s injury list includes Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, and Levi Colwill, with Maresca likely to rely on a back three featuring Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah. But players like Liam Delap and Estevao Willian are back in contention.

‎Prediction: Chelsea 2–2 Aston Villa

‎Liverpool vs Wolves 

‎Liverpool hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, where the Reds will be buoyed by recent momentum. Three consecutive victories, including a spirited 2–1 win at Tottenham, have steadied Arne Slot’s side, who now sit unbeaten in six across all competitions.

‎Their festive record is impressive, with 17 wins from their last 20 Boxing Day to New Year matches at Anfield.

‎Wolves, by contrast, are enduring a bleak campaign. The 2–0 loss to Brentford extended their winless start to 17 matches, matching one of the worst in top-flight history, and they have scored the fewest goals in the league while conceding the most.

‎Ten consecutive defeats show a season spiralling out of control.

‎Injury issues add to Wolves’ struggles, with Toti Gomes sidelined and Emmanuel Agbadou at AFCON further weakening a defence already stretched.

‎Liverpool manages a few absentees too, including Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez, Alexander Isak, and faces suspension for Dominik Szoboszlai.

‎Mohamed Salah’s AFCON commitments will leave his availability in doubt, but players like Hugo Ekitike have stepped up in recent games, giving Slot attacking depth.

‎Prediction: Liverpool 3–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

‎Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

‎Manchester City travel to the City Ground aiming to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

‎Pep Guardiola’s side have been ruthlessly consistent in December, riding a seven–match winning run across all competitions and carving out a sequence of 3–0 league victories.

‎With just one goal conceded in their last five games, City’s form puts them firmly in the title hunt.

‎Nottingham Forest arrive with confidence boosted by their sensational 1–0 victory over City earlier in the season their first league win against the Citizens since 1995.

‎Under Sean Dyche, Forest have shown resilience, winning six of their last nine across competitions, though their 1–0 defeat at Fulham last time out highlighted inconsistency.

‎Forest will lean on home form and historic belief but City’s lethal attack, depth, and defensive stability make them favourites. A win in Nottingham could see City leapfrog Arsenal at the summit, at least until the Gunners’ later kickoff.

‎Injury concerns affect both sides. Forest is without Chris Wood (knee), with Ola Aina approaching fitness, and others like Ryan Yates and Dan Ndoye are being assessed.

‎Manchester City remain without Oscar Bobb and Rodri (hamstring rehab) while Jeremy Doku is a doubt, yet the Citizens’ overall quality should still shine through.

‎Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1–3 Manchester City