English Premier League: Week 18 Boxing Day Previews and Predictions

Merry Christmas football fans, I hope you are enjoying a great holiday with your family and friends. As I get ready for my own family Christmas, I am already looking forward to the Boxing Day fixtures that come on Monday.

Manchester City and Manchester United both continued their winning ways to hold onto their places at the top of the table. Arsenal returned to their wining ways in late fashion against Aston Villa.

Chelsea was once again held, but were done so by Tottenham who will be frustrated not to have earned another three points to keep pace with United.

Liverpool were stifled by Wigan Athletic just as Chelsea were earlier in the week as Roberto Martinez continues to show signs of improvement with his club, but they will be thoroughly tested this Monday.

Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion likewise look to be making improvements, as both held on to find the difference against Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle United. Everton also managed to find three points and the Toffees need a good last of the year before the arrival of Landon Donovan on loan from the LA Galaxy.

Norwich City and Wolverhampton played to a 2-2 draw on the same afternoon as Bolton managed to earn a rare victory Blackburn Rovers.

Fulham, Swansea City and Stoke City were the other unlucky losers during midweek and they will all hope for better fortune in the next round.

With the holiday run-in commencing to the transfer deadline, we are sure for some great action, as teams want to look as good in form as possible with the hopes of attracting new talent in the January window.

Chelsea vs. Fulham

Chelsea and Fulham both continued their up and down seasons this past midweek. The Blues have slumped to two straight draws against Wigan and Tottenham after beating Manchester City 2-1 two weeks ago.

Fulham, meanwhile, went from beating Bolton 2-0 to taking a 0-5 pounding from Manchester United. Martin Jol's side have showed signs of improvement many times this season to only then falter the next week.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of both sides at Stamford Bridge.

Match Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 0 Fulham

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, David Luiz, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles, Juan Mata, Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: David Stockdale, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Philippe Senderos, John Arne Riise, Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Andrew Johnson, Moussa Dembele

Players to Watch: Juan Mata and Clint Dempsey

Arsenal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal had to thank former Liverpool and current Chelsea loan star Yossi Benayoun, as a late goal from the Israeli international allowed the Gunners to escape what three points from what would have been a frustrating draw against Aston Villa.

Wolves, meanwhile, secured their first point in three games after having lost to both Stoke City and Manchester United in their two previous outings.

The Gunners back line will once against be thrown together and Steven Fletcher will hope to find a hole somewhere to give Mic McCarthy's team a fighting chance.

Match Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Wolves

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Ignasi Miquel, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Gervinho, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Christophe Berra, Roger Johnson, Ronald Zubar, David Edwards, Jamie O'Hara, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Players to Watch: Robin Van Persie and Steven Fletcher

Bolton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United

Bolton managed to get just their fourth win of the season with a victory over fellow basement dwellers Blackburn Rovers.

With both Steve Keane and Owen Coyle believed to be fighting for their jobs, it was a great achievement for Coyle, who continues to brace himself to lose his best defender in January if Gary Cahill indeed finally secures a transfer out of the Reebok.

Newcastle United continue to struggle, as they were foiled at St. James Park once again by West Bromwich Albion. The two put on a great match that saw the Baggies steal it late.

Match Prediction: Bolton 1 - 2 Newcastle

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill , Zat Knight, Dedryck Boyata, Darren Pratley, Martin Petrov, Tuncay Sanli, Chris Eagles, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, James Perch, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Gabriel Obertan, Cheik Tiote, Dan Gosling, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba

Players to Watch: Ivan Klasnic and Demba Ba

Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool failed to convert a load of chances for yet another game this season, as they slumped to a 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium. In all reality, the Reds were lucky to escape with a point, as the Latic's showed the same high quality form that they displayed earlier in the week to draw Chelsea 1-1 at home.

The current high-drama story of Luis Suarez was only highlighted more in the opening warm-up of the match, and the Liverpool forward continues to be the center of FA controversy.

Blackburn suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers and travel to Anfield hoping they can get lucky and manage a draw like many other teams that should have been easily beaten in front of the Kop.

Match Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 0 Blackburn

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique, Dirk Kuyt, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Michel Salgado, Scott Dann, Chris Samba, Gael Givet, Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, Simon Vukcevic, Morten Gamst Pederson, Mauro Formica, Yakubu

Players to Watch: Craig Bellamy and Mauro Formica

Manchester United vs. Wigan Athletic

Manchester United and Wigan Athletic have both been in fine form the last week and both will be looking to continue their success.

The Reds Devils have scored seven goals in the last two matches and should be favorites to win the day but the Latic's have been good enough to only need a single Jordi Gomez strike to take two draws against Chelsea and Liverpool in the same week.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 0 Wigan

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea, Chris Smalling,  Phil Jones, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Nani, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Maynor Figueroa, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez,  Ronnie Stam, David Jones, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Mohamed Diame, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Players to Watch: Wayne Rooney and Jordi Gomez

Sunderland vs. Everton

Sunderland returned to their winning ways against Queens Park Rangers thanks to an 89th minute goal from Wes Brown to lift them to a 3-2 victory at Loftus Road. They return to the Stadium of Light to face off against Everton.

The Toffees also took a full three points, as they managed a 1-0 victory over Swansea City. David Moyes as always continues to find ways to get results from his team despite a major lack of attacking options.

Both sides are in need of three points as they continue their push for a decent position come the winter window.

Match Prediction: Sunderland 2 - 2 Everton

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Kieren Westwood, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Titus Bramble, Phillip Bardsley, Sebastian Larsson, David Vaughn, Jack Colback, Kieran Richardson, Stephane Sessegnon, Nicklas Bendtner

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Royston Drenthe, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Louis Saha

Players to Watch: Nicklas Bendtner and Marouane Fellaini

West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City

Roy Hodgson's West Bromwich Albion, like many other bottom half teams, have been on fine form the last few matches of the their congested holiday fixture period with victories over Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United away.

This week, however, they have to take on Manchester City at the Hawthorns to start with on Boxing Day.

The Citizens have responded to their defeat at Chelsea with two straight victories over Stoke City and Arsenal and will look to keep pushing to maintain the hold on first as long as Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie come out of the gates firing on point.

Match Prediction: West Brom 1 - 3 Manchester City

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Mick Shorey, Jonas Olsson, Gareth McAuley, Steven Reid, James Morrison, Graham Dorrans, Chris Brunt, Jerome Thomas, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Stefan Savic, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Pablo Zabaleta, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero

Players to Watch: Peter Odemwingie and David Silva

Stoke City vs. Aston Villa

Stoke City were stopped from a fifth straight Premier League victory when they were defeated by Manchester City at the Etihad 3-0.

The Potters will look to get back to the business of earning points as they take on an out of form Aston Villa.

Alex McLeish's side looked better against Arsenal with Gabriel Agbonlahor back in the lineup, but they are still far from being back to their best.

Match Prediction: Stoke City 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Thomas Sorenson, Marc Wilson, Jonathan Woodgate, Ryan Shawcross, Andy Wilkinson, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Shotton, Dean Whitehead, Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Brad Guzan, Ciaran Clark, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Chris Herd, Stiliyan Petrov, Marc Albrighton, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Players to Watch: Matthew Etherington and Marc Albrighton

Swansea City vs. Queens Park Rangers

Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers both come into their match after having lost their previous match.

Both sides are desperate to maintain their top-flight status come May and go into this match as even bigger rivals by necessity than they were in the championship.

Swans have the more impressive start to the season so far but Queens Park Rangers will once again be out to steal points when they travel to Liberty Stadium.

Match Prediction: Swansea 2 - 1 QPR

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Angel Ranger, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Ashley Richards, Mark Gower, Leon Britton, Luke More, Leroy Lita, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Radek Cerny, Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Daniel Gabbidon, Armand Traore, Jaime Mackie, Joey Barton, Alejandro Damian Faurlin, Tommy Smith, Jay Bothroyd, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Players to Watch: Danny Graham and Jay Bothroyd

Norwich City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Paul Lambert has led Norwich City to be the best of the three promoted sides so far in the EPL, as the Canaries find themselves currently in the top half of the table on 21 points.

Tottenham were held to their only draw of the last six games, as Chelsea manage to hold back the top form Spurs.

Harry Redknapp will look to keep gaining ground on both Manchester sides as the new year draws close and they also look forward to their match in hand that they will hope can aide them in their quest for a finish in the top three or, better yet, to try and win the league.

Match Prediction: Norwich 2 - 3 Tottenham

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Marc Tierney, Zak Whitbread, Russell Martin, Kyle Naughton, Andrew Crofts, David Fox, Wesley Hoolahan, Andrew Surman, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Sebastien Bassong, Vedran Corluka, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor

Players to Watch: Grant Holt and Emmanuel Adebayor

Conclusion

Again, I hope you all have had a great Christmas. While there are no major matchups on Monday, there are still many games that could be really interesting.

Along with the coverage of Monday's action, take a moment to participate in the Boxing Day Poll, English Premier League Poll: What Is the Best Boxing Day Matchup?

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out more on Bleacher Report and at the links below. You can follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz and Facebook or visit my website.