Premier League preview: Newcastle United host Aston Villa as Arsenal clash with Ipswich Town

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Boxing Day thrills will overflow in Matchday 18 of the 2024-25 Premier League season, as 10 fixtures are played on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 December.

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The action gets underway at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday afternoon, as Manchester City host Everton. The Citizens have endured a disappointing season by their very high standards, with manager Pep Guardiola admitting that he and his team need to take things game by game at the moment.

“Step by step, try to win the next game, recover people and we’ll see in the last month,” said the Spanish tactician. He added: “Well, I would say we would have to play more games to be consistent but it’s difficult with the situation that we have. I’m really pleased for the players, they fought and everything. I’m really pleased to work with them.”

The late afternoon features potential thrillers between West London rivals Chelsea and Fulham, Newcastle United welcoming Aston Villa to St James park, and Nottingham Forest looking to continue their fine campaign by claiming the scalp of Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground.

“The table is not a reference because it doesn’t dictate what you have to do. If you need points you have to play better,” said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo. “We always believe we can compete, that’s our approach. We’re going to face a good team, a tough team and we’re going to compete.”

The early evening sees Manchester United face a tricky trip away to a Wolverhampton Wanderers team fighting for their lives, before title favourites Liverpool host Leicester City at Anfield – with the Merseysiders hungry to add three points to their total, though veteran Foxes striker Jamie Vardy represents a threat to their ambitions.

“[Vardy] has the calmness, composure and experience,” said Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. “He’s absolutely top class, and we are happy to have him.”

The matchday closes with a pair of games on Friday night, as Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Brentford to the AmEx Stadium, before Ipswich Town face the intimidating task of facing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

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Broadcast details

Thursday 26 December

14:30: Manchester City v Everton – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

17:00: AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2

17:00: Chelsea v Fulham – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

17:00: Newcastle United v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 3

17:00: Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 1

17:00: Southampton v West Ham United – LIVE on SuperSport Blitz, SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 360

19:30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

22:00: Liverpool v Leicester City – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport Maximo 2

Friday 27 December

21:30: Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 1

22:15: Arsenal v Ipswich Town – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360