Premier League Fixtures: Live Stream, TV Schedule and Week 18 EPL Predictions
As the world takes a break to celebrate the festive holidays, the Premier League ramps up a gear for the busy Christmas football schedule.
A full set of fixtures takes place on Boxing Day, and Leicester City reside as the shock leaders of English football.
The pressure is on coach Louis van Gaal as his Manchester United side are desperate to find a win after a disastrous few weeks at home and abroad, and they face a tough match against Stoke City.
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Reigning champions Chelsea feature for the first time under the stewardship of new interim manager Guus Hiddink in his second stint at the club, and the Blues will seek to climb the table in a hurry as they welcome Watford.
Here's a look at the full schedule for Week 18, along with TV and live stream info and score predictions:
| Dec. 26 | 12.45 p.m./7.45 a.m. | Stoke City vs. Manchester United | Sky Sports 1 (UK)/NBCSN (U.S.) | Sky Go (UK)/Live Extra (U.S.) | 1-0 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Aston Villa vs. West Ham United | / | Live Extra (U.S.) | 0-0 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace | / | Live Extra (U.S.) | 1-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Chelsea vs. Watford | USA (U.S.) | USA Live TV (U.S) | 3-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Liverpool vs. Leicester City | NBCSN (U.S.) | Live Extra (U.S.) | 2-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Sunderland | / | Live Extra (U.S.) | 3-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion | / | Live Extra (U.S.) | 1-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City | / | Live Extra (U.S.) | 2-1 |
| Dec. 26 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Everton | BT Sport 1 (UK)/NBCSN (U.S.) | BT Sport App (UK)/Live Extra (U.S.) | 1-2 |
| Dec. 26 | 7.45 p.m./2.45 p.m. | Southampton vs. Arsenal | BT Sport 1 (UK)/NBC (U.S) | BT Sport App (UK)/Live Extra (U.S.) | 1-4 |
To access the Sky Go app, click here. For the BT Sport app, click here. For USA Live TV, click here. For NBC's Live Extra app, click here.
Preview
Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal faces the most important game of his Old Trafford reign as his side visit Stoke City in the Premier League.
The veteran Dutch coach has faced rumours about the sack, per Neil Custis of the Sun, and must now get back to winning ways after going six matches without a victory in all competitions.
The poor streak has seen United fall out of the UEFA Champions League and drift away from the fabled top-four in the Premier League.
Stoke have been in excellent form at the Britannia Stadium in recent months, taking the scalps of Chelsea and Manchester City as coach Mark Hughes reinvents his team as a slick attacking product.
United continue to look out of sorts across the forward line and crashed 2-1 at home to Norwich City at Old Trafford in their last contest.
The return of captain Wayne Rooney made no difference to the team as the Canaries countered and devastated United on the break in front of a stunned Red Devils fanbase.
Leicester will be hoping to consolidate their place as leaders of the league on Boxing Day as they travel to Anfield to play Liverpool.
Coach Jurgen Klopp watched his team crumble against a rampant Watford last time out, losing 3-0 as the visitors' defence capitulated.
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy continue to impress for the Foxes, and they will feel they can achieve success on Merseyside as the Reds struggle with their consistency.
Liverpool have dropped to 14th in the Premier League form guide and will need a big performance to stop the east Midlands team.
Chelsea witness the second coming of coach Guus Hiddink on Saturday as the Dutchman assumes interim control after the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
The champions welcome Watford to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea a full eight places below the Hornets in the league and 10 points adrift.
The Blues have continually failed this season, and a number of star players have been exceptionally poor.
Cricketer and Chelsea fan Kevin Pietersen has already run out of patience with superstar midfielder Eden Hazard and wants to see owner Roman Abramovich sell the player as soon as possible, along with fellow misfit Diego Costa:
Arsenal will be hoping to keep up their charge for title glory with an away win at Southampton, who have lost their form after last term's heroics.
The Saints sit only six points clear of the relegation zone and will be hoping for luck against the Gunners, who beat Manchester City in their last fixture.
City will be looking to get their title ambitions back on track as they face lowly Sunderland, and they now sit four points behind Arsenal and six adrift of Leicester.
Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged United into the fourth spot last week, but they could slip to as low as seventh if they lose to Norwich City at White Hart Lane.
Norwich will be buoyant after their win at Old Trafford and are primed to cause a shock in north London.
In Boxing Day's other games, Aston Villa host West Ham United at Villa Park, and away-day specialists Crystal Palace battle Bournemouth on the south coast.
Also, Swansea City take on West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium, and Everton travel to the north-east to face relegation candidates Newcastle United.
United need to beat Stoke as the team's confidence sinks to new levels. Van Gaal has not found a way of entertaining the team's supporters during his 18-month tenure, choosing a mandate of results over action—forcing the Red Devils to now deliver at a crucial point of the season.
Leicester have written history with their tremendous run, and neutrals will be hoping to see the Foxes carry their form into the second half of the campaign.
Vardy and Mahrez have proved themselves to be two of the hottest attacking players in Europe, and they will be hunted by top club sides once the January window bursts open.
