Boxing Day's Premier League predictions including Arsenal vs. West Ham

Brentford vs. Spurs (Monday, 12.30pm)

Both Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on Premier League wins last time out when they lock horns at the Brentford Community Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Brentford recorded a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in their last league fixture on November 12, while Tottenham beat Leeds United 4-3 in their last game before the season was halted for the World Cup.

We say: Brentford 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

It is difficult to know exactly what to expect from the next set of Premier League fixtures due to the unique circumstances surrounding them. Tottenham, on paper, will fancy their chances of winning this match, but Brentford have proved difficult to beat this term, and we can see the points being shared in a low-scoring draw.

> How Tottenham Hotspur could line up against Brentford

> Tottenham injury, suspension list vs. Brentford

Crystal Palace vs. Fulham (Monday, 3.00pm)

Crystal Palace and Fulham mark their returns to Premier League action with a London derby at Selhurst Park on Boxing Day.

Only two place separates the two 19-point sides in the table at present, with the Eagles - who have a game in hand - down in 11th while the Cottagers occupy ninth place.

We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Very rarely do Fulham play out dull affairs away from home, but the possible absence of Mitrovic will hinder their attacking capabilities against a Palace side who are a force to be reckoned with at Selhurst Park.

Goals were hard to come for the Eagles just before the World Cup break too, and we think that this London derby has a low-scoring draw written all over it.

Everton vs. Wolves (Monday, 3.00pm)

Julen Lopetegui's first taste of Premier League football will come at Goodison Park on Monday afternoon, as the Spaniard takes his Wolverhampton Wanderers side to Everton.

Wolves were 2-0 winners over Gillingham in the EFL Cup last week in what proved to be Lopetegui's first match at the helm, but Everton have not been in competitive action since the 3-0 loss at Bournemouth in the league on November 12.

We say: Everton 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

There is not much difference in terms of quality between these two sides, and this is a huge game, even at this stage of the campaign. Both managers will be wary of losing, which could create a tense affair, and we are finding it difficult to separate them at Goodison Park.

Leicester vs. Newcastle (Monday, 3.00pm)

Two of the most in-form sides before the Premier League's mid-season break meet at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day, when Leicester City host Newcastle United.

Both sides booked their place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on their return to competitive action in midweek.

We say: Leicester City 1-1 Newcastle United

Leicester undoubtedly turned a corner just before the break and Newcastle have been terrific all season, so this will be a very interesting clash which could go either way.

Both sides had been very strong defensively as the season drew to a halt, so a goal fest is unlikely.

Southampton vs. Brighton (Monday, 3.00pm)

Both Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they lock horns at St Mary's on Monday afternoon.

The Saints suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in their last league match on November 12, while Brighton were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa in their final fixture before the campaign was halted for the World Cup.

We say: Southampton 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Both managers will be wary of losing this match, which could make it a nervy affair. It would not be a surprise to see a home or an away win here, but we just have a feeling that a low-scoring draw will be played out at St Mary's.

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool (Monday, 5.30pm)

Aiming to stretch their Premier League winning run to three games under Unai Emery, Aston Villa resume top-flight duties at home to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the Reds have already returned to competitive action since the World Cup break, as their EFL Cup defence ended with a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the fourth round.

We say: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool were arguably fortunate not to have been blown away in the first half against Man City, but their goal threat remains well and truly alive, even if Nunez avoided the target at the Etihad like a plague.

With second-choice goalkeeper Olsen not quite at full fitness, a Lions side who still possess the tools to hurt Liverpool could come up just short, especially with Villa Park largely being kind to the Reds since the Premier League's inception.

> How Liverpool could line up against Aston Villa

> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Aston Villa

Arsenal vs. West Ham (Monday, 8.00pm)

Arsenal could temporarily surge eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table when they host West Ham United at the Emirates for a Boxing Day London derby.

Meanwhile, David Moyes's men sit 15 places and 23 points worse off than their capital counterparts and are at risk of dropping below the dreaded dotted line.

We say: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United

Prior to the 2022-23 season, a three-month layoff for Arsenal's star striker would evoke panic, but Arteta can rest easy knowing that his side possess plenty of goal threat across the field, which was on show in the Dubai Super Cup.

West Ham's defensive record away from home does make for positive reading, but their own attacking concerns will do them no favours against a well-drilled Arsenal backline, and we can only picture the Gunners resuming their title charge in perfect fashion.

> How Arsenal could line up against West Ham United

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. West Ham