After the Carabao Cup action in midweek, we reach the Premier League Matchday 18 this weekend.
It is the penultimate round of games before we reach the midway point of the season in the Boxing Day set of games (26th to 28th December).
And it is a weekend that has some incredible games to enjoy including a huge game at Anfield where second placed Liverpool will host first placed Arsenal in a match that will likely decide who is top of the table at Christmas.
However, it’s not the only big game on Premier League Matchday 18.
There’s a massive rivalry game to kick things off on Thursday night as Brighton travel to London to take on their old foes Crystal Palace. A grudge game which has its roots back in a controversial 1970’s cup tie and spat between then managers Alan Mullery of Brighton and Terry Venables of Palace.
Other big games include Manchester United travelling to London to take on West Ham, Tottenham taking on Everton and Nuno Santos return to England will see his Nottingham Forest team take on in form Bournemouth.
We then finish with a rare Christmas Eve game as Wolves host Carabao Cup semi-finalists Chelsea in what should be a Christmas cracker to complete the Premier League Matchday 18 fixtures.
You can check out the current Premier League table ahead of the Premier League Matchday 18 fixtures by clicking on the link.
And remember there’s always plenty of great betting to enjoy with bet365 Sport, both pre-match and In Play on every Premier League Matchday 18 game.
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Let’s now catch up with the big news stories involving teams ahead of Premier League Matchday 18. Including a look at who has qualified for the Carabao Cup semifinals in January.
Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough make it through to the Carabao Cup Semi Finals
On Tuesday night, three of the four Carabao Cup semi-finalists were confirmed.
Chelsea staged a late comeback to snatch victory from Newcastle United in dramatic fashion. Callum Wilson capitalised on a Benoit Badiashile mistake to put Newcastle 1-0 up in the first half and despite Chelsea pressure, it looked like Newcastle would hold on as the game went deep into added time.
But a mistake from Kieran Trippier allowed Mikhailo Mudryk in and the Ukrainian slotted home to bring Chelsea level and take the game to penalties.
Chelsea scored all four of their penalties while Kieran Trippier missed and Matt Ritchie saw his penalty saved, sending the home side through.
It was a similar tale at Goodison Park where Fulham took a lead through a Michael Keane own goal, only for Beto to equalise late on for Everton.
However, Andre Onana missed his spot kick and a chance to win the game for Everton and Fulham bounced back to clinch a 7-6 win on penalties to join their fierce rivals in the last four.
In the other game, Middlesbrough easily beat Port Vale 3-0 to be the only Championship team in the last four.
The final quarter final takes place tonight at Anfield as Liverpool face West Ham. The draw for the semi-final will then take place after the game.
Steve Cooper Sacked By Forest And Nuno Espirito Santo Appointed As His Replacement
Ahead of Premier League Matchday 18 and after several weeks of speculation, Nottingham Forest boss Evangelos Marinakis sacked Steve Cooper after a run of games which has seen Forest lose five of their last six.
The Greek owner moved quickly to sign up ex-Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo as his replacement and the Portuguese will be in charge for Forest’s game with Bournemouth at the weekend.
Reports cited a breakdown in the relationship between Cooper and Marinakis as the reason for the owner sacking the well-liked form England U-19 boss, with Forest fans still giving him their support in recent games.
Santos takes over a team now lying 17th in the table and badly in need of a better run of form to stabilise their season.
Premier League Matchday 18 Fixtures and Tips
Kick off times for Premier League Matchday 18 are 8pm (Thursday & Friday), 3pm (Saturday) and 1pm (Sunday) unless otherwise stated.
Premier League Matchday 18 – Thursday 21st December
- Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion
One of the more unusual, but no less fierce rivalries in the Premier League, Brighton will make the trip up the M23 to take on their London rivals with the Seagulls in much the better form. Brighton have taken seven of their last 15 points on offer, but Palace have managed just two over that same period. Five of the last eight games have finished as a 1-1 draw between the two, including all of the last four played at Selhurst Park and I think that is a good shout for a result here too. Tip – Draw – 5/2.
Premier League Matchday 18 – Friday 22nd December
- Aston Villa v Sheffield United
Friday Night’s action comes from the hotbed of Villa Park, where Aston Villa are the only team to have a 100% winning record at home in the Premier League. Unai Emery’s team sit third in the table, behind only Arsenal and Liverpool and a win here would take them top of the table at least for 24 hours. The Blades are bottom of the table and seemed set for a bit of a chasing here if form is anything to go by. Tip – Aston Villa 4-0 Sheffield United – 11/1.
Premier League Matchday 18 – Saturday 23rd December
- West Ham United v Manchester United (12.30pm)
Looking at these two teams home and away form, plus their current league positions, this should be a closely fought contest on Saturday. West Ham have now lost just one of their last five games in the Premier League, whereas United have lost two of their last five. The Hammers are one place below and one point behind the Red Devils. Man Utd have won 7 of the last 9 between the two, but I have a feeling that it could be the home side celebrating a win here. Tip – West Ham to win – 6/4.
- Fulham v Burnley
Fulham have been in excellent form of late, racking up some big wins in the Premier League and also reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals in midweek with a win on penalties at Everton. Burnley’s form is nowhere near as impressive and Vincent Kompany’s team are likely to find Craven Cottage too tough a place to go to pick up a point let alone all three. Tip – Alex Iwobi (Fulham) Anytime Goalscorer – 7/2.
- Luton Town v Newcastle United
Can Newcastle pull themselves up after losing in such dramatic fashion at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in midweek. They face a tricky trip to Luton who have lost four of their last five. Newcastle Premier League form is much better having ended a two-game losing streak with a win over Fulham last weekend. Luton will make it tough, but I think that the visitors will have too much class here. Tip – Newcastle to win and both teams to score – 12/5.
- Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
Nuno Espirito Santo will take charge of Forest for the first time with a game against an in-form Bournemouth side who have won four of the last five and who, along with Aston Villa, are the most in form team in the EPL over the last five games. I can see that continuing here against a Forest side who are going to have to get used to their new manager. Forest will get a boost from Santo coming in, but not in this game I feel. Tip – Bournemouth to win – 31/20.
- Tottenham Hotspurs v Everton
Tottenham have won their last two games after something of a slump where they lost four games in five. But they face an Everton side that have won all their last four and who are now well clear of the drop zone and who, but for their 10-point deduction, would be in 10th place in the table. The Toffees are playing well, and they’ve lost just twice to Everton since 2012. I think this may be the game where Everton’s great run finally comes to a halt. Tip – Richarlison to score at any time – 21/10.
- Liverpool v Arsenal (5.30pm)
Second takes on first at Anfield in what promises to be a hugely exciting game between the Premier League’s current top two. Liverpool relinquished top spot after their 0-0 draw with Man Utd last weekend, while Arsenal went top by virtue of their 2-0 win over Brighton. The Gunners do not have a great record at Anfield, last winning there in 2012, while Liverpool’s home form is excellent, despite that draw with United. The home side need to massively improve on that performance though to get something here, but I have a feeling they will. Tip – Mo Salah (Liverpool) to score at any time – 7/4.
Premier League Matchday 18 – Sunday 24th December
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
Christmas Eve games are rare nowadays so Wolves and Chelsea will compete in a rare game on the eve of Xmas day. Chelsea come into this game having earned a Carabao Cup semi-final spot in the week, but in the league both sides form is patchy, with Chelsea picking up six and Wolves just four points from the last 15 available in the EPL. I can’t see too many goals being scored here, so I think the Under 2.5 goals market looks solid. Tip – Under 2.5 Goals being scored – Evens.
All that remains is for me to wish you a very Merry Christmas! I will be back next week with two sets of tips, one for the games starting on Boxing Day and then the second set of games kicking off later in the week which take place over the New Year weekend!
