2025/26 Premier League Preview: Gameweek 18

Manchester United VS Newcastle

Manchester United host Newcastle in the one and only Boxing Day game in 2025! Manchester United lost 2-1 away at Aston Villa last weekend, and they currently find themselves 7th in the league! When it comes to Newcastle, they could only draw 2-2 with Chelsea last time out, and they currently sit 11th in the table! In their previous 31 meetings, Man United have won 16 games whilst Newcastle have won 9! For Manchester United, they need to try and finally win a home game! United are ranked 2nd in GPG (1.8), but they haven’t managed to win any of their last 3 home games (2D,1L)! As for Newcastle United, can they get the result that they need here? The Magpies are ranked 13th in GPG (1.4), and they currently have just the 15th-best away record in the league!

My Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest VS Manchester City

Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 at Fulham last weekend, and they currently sit 17th in the table! When it comes to Manchester City, they breezed past West Ham (3-0) last time out, and they currently find themselves second in the league! In their previous 7 meetings, Forest have won once, whilst Man City have won 5 times! For Nottingham Forest, they’ll do well to get something from this game! Forest are ranked 15th in GPG (1.1), and they currently have the 5th-worst home record in the league! As for Manchester City, they’re aiming to keep their strong run of form going! City are ranked 1st in GPG (2.4), and they’re currently on a 7-game winning run!

My Prediction: 1-2

Arsenal VS Brighton

Arsenal host Brighton in what could prove to be a difficult test for the league leaders! Arsenal picked up a 1-0 win at Everton last weekend before they edged out Crystal Palace on penalties Tuesday Night, and they currently lead the league! When it comes to Brighton, they could only draw 0-0 at home against Sunderland last time out, and they currently sit 9th in the table! In their previous 20 meetings, Arsenal have won 45% of the time, whilst Brighton have won 30% of the time! For Arsenal, they just need to keep winning! The Gunners are ranked 2nd in GPG (1.8), and they also currently have the second-best home record in the league! As for Brighton and Hove Albion, they’re good enough to get something from this game, but only if they play their best! The Seagulls are ranked 9th in GPG (1.5), but they’re currently on a 4-game winless run (2D,2L)!

My Prediction: 3-2

Brentford VS Bournemouth

Brentford picked up a key 2-0 win away at Wolves last weekend, and they currently find themselves in 12th place! When it comes to Bournemouth, they conceded late in a 1-all draw with Burnley last time out, and they currently sit 15th in the table! In their previous 20 meetings, Brentford have won 50% of the time, whilst Bournemouth have won 20% of the time! For Brentford, this is a great opportunity for them to win another game! The Bees are ranked 10th in GPG (1.4), and they currently have the 5th-best home record in the league! As for AFC Bournemouth, they need to sort themselves out! The Cherries are ranked 7th in GPG (1.5), but they’re currently on an 8-game winless run (4D,4L)!

My Prediction: 1-0

Burnley VS Everton

Burnley picked up a crucial point late on at Bournemouth last weekend, but they do still currently find themselves inside the Relegation Zone (in 19th)! When it comes to Everton, they lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal last time out, and they currently find themselves 10th in the table! In their previous 17 meetings, Burnley have won 6 games compared to 10 wins for Everton! For Burnley, they need to build off last week’s late leveller! The Clarets are ranked 15th in GPG (1.1), and they’re currently on an 8-game winless run (1D,7L)! As for Everton, this is realistically a game that they should be winning! The Toffees are ranked 18th in GPG (1.1), but they currently have the 9th-best away record in the league!

My Prediction: 1-2

Liverpool VS Wolves

Liverpool picked up an important 2-1 win away at Tottenham last weekend, and they currently sit 5th in the table! When it comes to Wolves, they lost yet again last time out against Brentford (2-0), and they currently find themselves bottom of the league! In their previous 22 meetings, Liverpool have won 17 games whilst Wolves have won 4! For Liverpool, they should win this game comfortably! The Reds are ranked 5th in GPG (1.6), and they’re currently on a 6-game unbeaten run (4W,2D)! As for Wolverhampton Wanderers, good luck! Wolves are ranked 20th in GPG (0.5), and they’re currently on an 11-game losing streak!

My Prediction: 3-0

West Ham VS Fulham

West Ham got stuffed 3-0 by Manchester City last weekend, and they currently find themselves inside the Relegation Zone (in 18th)! When it comes to Fulham, they picked up an important 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, and they currently sit 13th in the table! In their previous 16 meetings, West Ham have won 9 times whilst Fulham have won 4 times! For West Ham United, they need to win this game! The Hammers are ranked 15th in GPG (1.1), and they’re currently on a 6-game winless run (3D,3L)! As for Fulham, this is another game that they should be winning! The Cottagers are ranked 10th in GPG (1.4), and they currently have the 14th-best away record in the league!

My Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea VS Aston Villa

Fourth faces third as Chelsea host Aston Villa in a massive Saturday Night Football! Chelsea came from 2 goals down to draw at Newcastle last weekend, and they currently sit 4th in the table! When it comes to Aston Villa, they won yet again last time out against Manchester United, and they currently find themselves third in the league! In their previous 27 meetings, Chelsea have won 56% of the time compared to Villa’s 22%! For Chelsea, they need to win this game if they want any chance of keeping up with the Top 3! The Blues are ranked 4th in GPG (1.7), and 3rd in GCPG (1.0)! As for Aston Villa, surely they’re going to stop winning at some point, right?! Villa are ranked 6th in GPG (1.6), and they’re currently on a 10-game winning streak!

My Prediction: 2-2

Sunderland VS Leeds

Sunderland picked up a decent point away at Brighton last weekend, and they currently find themselves up in 6th place! When it comes to Leeds, they smashed Crystal Palace 4-1 last time out, and they currently sit 16th in the table! In their previous 7 meetings, both sides have won twice! For Sunderland AFC, they’ll expect themselves to win this game! The Black Cats are ranked 15th in GPG (1.1), and they currently have the 4th-best home record in the league! As for Leeds United, they’re on a roll right now! The Whites are ranked 10th in GPG (1.4), and they’re currently on a 4-game unbeaten run (2W,2D)!

My Prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace VS Tottenham

The final game of the festive weekend sees Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park for another London Derby! Crystal Palace got smashed 4-1 by Leeds last weekend before they lost to Arsenal on penalties midweek, and they currently find themselves 8th in the league! When it comes to Tottenham, they lost 2-1 at home to Liverpool last time out, and they currently sit 14th in the table! In their previous 26 meetings, Palace have only won 6 games whilst Spurs have won 17! For Crystal Palace, they’re all over the place right now! The Eagles are ranked 14th in GPG (1.2), and they’re currently on a 4-game winless run (2D,2L)! As for Tottenham, they need a result! Spurs are ranked 7th in GPG (1.5), and they currently have the 4th-best away record in the league!

My Prediction: 2-0