The Boxing Day weekend is heating up as the Premier League enters its mid-season showdown. Matchweek 18 will run from Friday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Dec. 28, and the fixtures set to shape the standings are already in the spotlight. From a mid-table clash between Manchester United and Newcastle to a battle between the top two clubs, fans will be treated to a slate of high-stakes encounters that could ripple across the league table.
Friday: United vs Newcastle
Manchester United will host Newcastle United on Friday at Old Trafford. The Red Devils sit in seventh place after a season of inconsistency, while the 11th-placed Magpies have faced a string of “Big 6” opponents and will need to deliver a strong performance on the road. With United’s recent form fluctuating, the result could be a pivotal moment for both sides as they look to climb the table or secure a comfortable position.
Saturday: City vs Forest & Arsenal vs Brighton
City vs Forest
Saturday kicks off with a showdown that sees second-place Manchester City travel to the lowly Nottingham Forest. City’s recent matches have been characterized by clinical finishing, which has helped them protect their lead despite a less solid defence. The Gunners, on the other hand, have been grappling with a scoring problem and a new injury crisis affecting the backline, a combination that could keep the pressure on first-place Arsenal.
Arsenal vs Brighton
Immediately after City’s fixture, league-leaders Arsenal will take on ninth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s continued ruthlessness has been questioned, and the Gunners’ lack of goals could be exposed against a Brighton side eager to climb the table. The match will test whether Arsenal can maintain their dominance or if Brighton will cause a surprise upset.
Saturday: Chelsea vs Aston Villa
The final Saturday clash pits fourth-placed Chelsea against third-placed Aston Villa. The Villa team, led by Morgan Rogers, is in a hot streak and sits a seven-point gap ahead of the Blues. The question for Chelsea is whether they can secure a key win to keep the title race tight or if Aston Villa will continue to outshine the xG gods with their current form.
Full Matchweek 18 Schedule and Broadcast Information
Below is the complete schedule for the weekend, including TV and streaming options across the United States:
- Friday, Dec. 26
- 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT: Manchester United vs. Newcastle – USA/NBC.com
- Saturday, Dec. 27
- 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT: Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City – USA/NBC.com
- 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT: Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion – USA/NBC.com
- 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT: Brentford vs. Bournemouth – Peacock
- 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT: Burnley vs. Everton – Peacock
- 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT: Liverpool vs. Wolves – NBCSN/Peacock
- 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT: West Ham vs. Fulham – Peacock
- 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa – NBC/NBC.com
- Sunday, Dec. 28
- 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT: Sunderland vs. Leeds United – USA/NBC.com
- 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT: Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham – USA/NBC.com
The matches are available on NBC and USA Network for several games, while others stream exclusively on Peacock and NBC.com. The new NBC Sports Network also offers coverage of the weekend’s action.
Key Takeaways
- Manchester United faces Newcastle on a day that could define their mid-season trajectory.
- City’s clinical finishing is under scrutiny as they travel to Forest, while Arsenal’s scoring woes could be exposed.
- Chelsea must overcome a hot-running Aston Villa to stay in contention for the title race.
With the Premier League’s 38-game season approaching its halfway point, Matchweek 18 promises drama, high stakes, and a chance for teams to shift their fortunes on Boxing Day. Stay tuned for the action and catch all the games on the networks and streaming services listed above.
