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First Half: Southampton 0-0 West Ham

New Saints boss Juric takes charge of first game with side rock bottom

Watch FREE highlights shortly after full time | Live PL table

Teams: No Paqueta for West Ham | Stats | Sky Bet

Live commentary by Sam Blitz and Ben Grounds

Here we go!

Out come the teams at St Mary's!

The Ivan Juric era is about to begin on the south coast. Can they pick up a win here in what could well be a winnable fixture?

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Team news reminder!

Ten minutes to go until Ivan Juric's first game as Southampton boss. Here's a reminder of the two teams:

Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Manning, Fraser, Aribo, Lallana, Sulemana, Dibling, Archer

West Ham: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soler, Soucek; Bowen, Fullkrug, Kudus

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Summerville, Guillherme, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Irving

The 2024 awards - the Essential review of the footballing year

As we count down to the end of a memorable year in football, relive the last 12 months in the Premier League and beyond as Sky Sports football journalists Ron Walker, Ben Grounds and Sam Blitz dish out the awards for the best and the worst of 2024.

Who's been top of the tree, who's been the surprise package... And who's been the biggest disappointment? Get the discussion started around the Christmas table in the company of Sky Sports.

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Lopetegui: We have to keep the positivity

West Ham are unbeaten in their last three matches but Julen Lopetegui’s position is still under scrutiny.

The Spaniard could do with a win, especially with games against Liverpool and Manchester City next up.

“It’s true that we are unbeaten but we’d like to have more points,” he added.

“We have to keep the positivity and try to improve. The players are improving a lot of things but it’s a big challenge.

“Three games left in December, we have to be ready to face the matches with a strong mentality and be ambitious. We have very difficult matches in front of us. We have to face it with the right mentality.”

Was Estupinan lucky to avoid red vs West Ham?

Ref Watch analyse Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan's challenge on Max Kilman during their Premier League fixture against West Ham.

LAST TIME OUT: West Ham hold Brighton

Lopetegui hopes West Ham can avoid new manager bounce at Southampton

Julen Lopetegui is hoping West Ham can avoid another dose of new manager bounce when they head to Southampton on Boxing Day.

The Hammers were thumped 3-1 at Leicester earlier this month in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge of the Foxes.

“I saw them play against Fulham, and other games, and they have quality players,” said Lopetegui of today's opponents, Southampton.

“With a new coach, always there is a new and extra energy among the players. We saw this in Leicester. It’s going to be a very, very difficult match for us. There is nothing else in our mind.

“Juric is a very experienced coach in Italy. For sure he’ll bring a new energy for the team when you change a coach.

“Above all they have good players. They’ve played well and have good technical and physical players. It’s like all challenges in the Premier League.

“We have to be ready to do our best and understand the match we have in front of us.”

Juric prepared to make PL 'history' with Saints

New Southampton boss Ivan Juric is staying really optimistic in an effort to keep his new team in the Premier League this season.

Juric's death metal style to management

New Southampton boss Ivan Juric insists the Premier League's bottom side can do "something exceptional" in their relegation fight as he prepares to implement his "death metal" style of play.

Juric revealed the Saints initially reached out two years ago when he was in charge of Torino, and while he remained at the Serie A side the Southampton project always remained a "dream."

The 49-year-old said: "It will be a very tough job and I know that in the history nobody stayed in the Premiership with this situation, but like I said, I think there are a lot of good players, and we have much better in some moments of the game.

"I am optimistic. I'm really optimistic. Even the other day, I saw their mentality, and it's the first step to doing better.

"I think we can do something exceptional. The guys have to be very motivated to do something that never, nobody did.

"They don't know me but I know them. I said that I believe in them, they have quality, they can do it. Be positive, work hard, and everything is possible.

"When I was young I liked death metal music a lot, and that's something I think my style of football is like metal music.

"Now a little bit less, I'm a little bit soft now, but it's always in my head, good metal music."

PL Predictions: New manager bounce for Saints?

Sky Sports tipster Lewis Jones:

The Saints battled their way to a hard-earned and deserved goalless draw at Fulham, restricting Marco Silva's side side to an expected goals figure of 1.04. It was a performance that had Ivan Juric's stamp all over it despite him not being officially in charge. His work at Torino, where they finished ninth last season before leaving for Roma, was built on solid foundations in defence. Only Inter Milan, Juventus and Bologna conceded fewer goals than Torino last season.

It's obviously worth treading carefully with any Saints bets in the early stages of the new manager and even though the overall numbers in the Premier League scream profit for over 2.5 goals backers, the under 2.5 line here at 6/5 with Sky Bet is too big to pass up.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-0

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Nottingham Forest to turn heat up on Ange Postecoglou and Spurs

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LAST TIME OUT: Saints deny Fulham a win

How the Premier League table looks...

Ivan Juric takes over at Southampton with his side eight points from safety.

It would be an almighty turnaround were the Croatian march the Saints to safety, probably one of the Premier League's all-time achievements...

West Ham lie eight points above the drop zone, this is a big chance to get three big points on the board...

Paqueta absent for West Ham at Saints

West Ham have also made two changes to their team, both of them coming in midfield.

Carlos Soler and Guido Rodriguez start over Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta - the latter is not in the Hammers matchday squad due to suspension.

Niclas Fullkrug continues to lead the line after getting his first start against Brighton last time out...

Onuachu starts up front for Saints in Juric's first team

Southampton have made two changes from the team who held Fulham to a goalless draw last weekend, as Ivan Juric names his first Saints line-up.

In come Lesley Ugochukwu and Paul Onuachu in place of Joe Aribo and Tyler Dibling, who both drop to the bench.

Saints continue with the back five that kept them a clean sheet at Craven Cottage.

West Ham team news

Team to play Southampton: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soler, Soucek; Bowen, Fullkrug, Kudus

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Summerville, Guillherme, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Irving

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Southampton team news

Team to play West Ham: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Manning, Fraser, Aribo, Lallana, Sulemana, Dibling, Archer

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Team news is in FIVE minutes!

What will Ivan Juric spring in his first Southampton line-up? Will Julen Lopetegui make any changes?

Find out here very shortly...

Who is new Saints boss Ivan Juric?

The Croatian manager started his coaching career working under Gian Piero Gasperini - who is currently the revolutionary head coach at Atalanta.

Juric worked in Gasperini's coaching staff at Inter Milan and Palermo, before taking his first job at Serie C side Mantova in the 2014-15 campaign.

The following season, he took a Serie B job at Crotone and got them promoted to Serie A for the first time in the club's history that term. He did not take them into the Italian top-flight though, as he was offered to replace Gasperini at Genoa, which he accepted.

Juric then had three separate spells at Genoa in the space of two years - being sacked by the club three times between February 2017 and December 2018.

He finally found stability at Hellas Verona in 2019, who had just been promoted to Serie A. With one of the smallest budgets in the league, he kept them in the top flight for two straight seasons - before taking the Torino job.

The Croatian left Torino at the end of last season after three seasons in Serie A and took on the Roma job in September of this year after The Friedkin Group sacked fan favourite Daniele de Rossi. Juric, however, did not even last two months as he was sacked with the Giallorossi four points above the relegation zone.

Ivan Juric: Southampton appoint former Roma boss to replace Russell Martin as manager

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Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace

KICK OFF!

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Team news reminder...

Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal.

Subs: Travers, Brooks, Evanilson, Adams, Hill, Philip, Kinsey, Winterburn, Harris.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.

Subs: Turner, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Richards, Doucoure, Devenny, Kporha, Agbinone.

Here come the teams!

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace walk out onto the Vitality Stadium pitch - and kick-off is moments away!

Stay here for live match updates and free highlights shortly after full-time.

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Jones Knows: Sarr to get stuck in

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

"No team have made more tackles in the Premier League than Crystal Palace (709) since February 1 and this encounter could be a tackle frenzy.

"Ismaila Sarr is not only contributing from an attacking standpoint, he's getting stuck in off the ball too with his tackle count soaring in recent weeks.

"He has made at least one tackle in six of his last seven appearances, totalling 10 tackles in all. The fact he plays more centrally than he's done in the past is seeing him encounter tight spaces and turnover opportunities hence why more tackles are being racked up.

"The 11/4 with Sky Bet for Sarr to register two or more tackles is a price to consider."

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

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Teams of the season? Forest and Bournemouth are doing it differently

Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth are in the top five at Christmas not by copying clubs with bigger budgets but by trying to win differently. That should be celebrated...

Teams of the season Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest and Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth doing it differently

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What is the target now for Bournemouth?

Andoni Iraola said in his pre-match press conference: “I will be very happy to talk to you in different circumstances, if this was April – but it is not April.

“This is still very early in the season, so we will have to continue.

“When you asked me before the season about targets, I answered you the same – I don’t believe in long-term targets.

“Because if you lose three games are you going to change your target? Or if you win three games are you going to change your target? So let’s see.

“Last season, we were 12th, so this is our level – this season, I don’t know, nobody knows.

“We will see, but not now. You will see when you count us (with our points) at the end."

Iraola eyes efficiency in both boxes as Bournemouth seek further progress

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola feels efficiency in both boxes will be key to his side’s hopes of continued progress into 2025.

The Cherries beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to five games and they sit fifth in the table.

Iraola, though, knows those impressive statistics will soon count for nothing if Bournemouth do not maintain their performance levels through the hectic festive schedule.

“I want to be as efficient as we can,” the Bournemouth boss said.

“If we can continue with the level in both boxes that we had on Sunday, it will be much easier – but this is not a guarantee.

“As long as we continue creating chances and having the performances we are having, I think we will be fine.

“This is easy to say – but it is not easy to keep this consistency during a long period.”

Last time out: Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth

Iraola in no mood to get carried away by Bournemouth’s impressive form

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is glad supporters are allowing themselves to dream of European football but will keep his squad grounded as they look to push on through the second half of the season.

The Cherries sit fifth in the Premier League table following a 3-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday when the away fans revelled in chants about hopes of a European tour in 2025.

It was the latest in a string of impressive displays by Iraola’s well-drilled team, who have beaten both Arsenal and Manchester City at home this season.

While things are looking very positive for the south-coast club heading into the new year, Iraola intends to focus on the here and now rather than dream of what might happen come May.

“They (fans) are enjoying it because the team is performing well and the ones who went to Old Trafford had a good time for sure,” Iraola said.

“But you do not always need to be thinking about the maths in the table, just (for the team to) be competitive, so enjoy it and support your team, try to to do it all together.

“This is the best way, then let us see at the end (of the season), but it is very early, so for me we cannot start talking about these things.”

Last time out: Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal

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Expected formations...

Eze returns to start for Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze starts for Crystal Palace after returning from injury.

Eze missed Palace's 5-1 defeat at home to Arsenal and comes in for Daichi Kamada as boss Oliver Glasner makes three changes.

Daniel Munoz replaces Nathaniel Clyne at right-wing back while Trevoh Chalobah comes into the back three for Chris Richards.

Bournemouth drop Evanilson to bench

Evanilson drops to the bench for Bournemouth, who have made three changes from their 3-0 win at Manchester United.

Enes Unal starts up front instead while Max Aarons comes in at right-back with Lewis Cook in midfield.

Tyler Adams is benched while Adam Smith is not in the squad due to a knock.

Bournemouth remain without Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott due to injury.

Crystal Palace team news

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.

Subs: Turner, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Richards, Doucoure, Devenny, Kporha, Agbinone.

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Bournemouth team news

Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal.

Subs: Travers, Brooks, Evanilson, Adams, Hill, Philip, Kinsey, Winterburn, Harris.

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Our football betting expert Jones Knows is back to provide more Premier League insight and sees more misery for Tottenham at Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City vs Everton, Boxing Day, 12.30pm

To beat this Manchester City you need to be brave with the ball in transition and show ruthlessness with your finishing.

Everton are not that team.

Sean Dyche's men are a tough nut to crack but are woefully toothless in attack, failing to score in six of their last seven Premier League matches.

Watch Premier League goals and highlights free online for every match in 2024/25 season

In that period they have the lowest expected goals return of any team and have created the fewest bigger chances. One goal should be enough for City to win this game - and boy do they need it.

The win to nil at 11/8 with Sky Bet is a nice alternative to the outright 1/3 on a home win.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-0

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Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace, Boxing Day, 3pm

No team have made more tackles in the Premier League than Crystal Palace (709) since February 1 and this encounter could be a tackle frenzy.

Ismaila Sarr is not only contributing from an attacking standpoint, he's getting stuck in off the ball too with his tackle count soaring in recent weeks.

Live Premier League table - Liverpool four points clear at Christmas

He has made at least one tackle in six of his last seven appearances, totalling 10 tackles in all. The fact he plays more centrally than he's done in the past is seeing him encounter tight spaces and turnover opportunities hence why more tackles are being racked up.

The 11/4 with Sky Bet for Sarr to register two or more tackles is a price to consider.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

Chelsea vs Fulham, Boxing Day, 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Despite these two teams both heading here on the back of 0-0 draws, goals should be on the menu.

Chelsea's games this season have averaged 3.67 goals per game and Fulham have scored in every away game this season, including netting twice at Liverpool and Manchester City. The Boxing Day factor should help the goals flow too. In the last 18 Premier League games played on December 26, there have been an average of four goals per game.

Perhaps the festive mood inside the stadium in terms of atmosphere helps the game flow to a higher tempo which in turn spikes the goal output. Who knows?

Anyway, the 4/5 with Sky Bet on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals should give punters a great run.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score (4/5 with Sky Bet)

Newcastle vs Aston Villa, Boxing Day, 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Game of the day material this one, involving two top teams on the back of impressive results. They'll both be hoping to motor towards the top four spots over the next few months as one looks up for grabs with Manchester City's demise, Tottenham's troubles and Manchester United's mediocrity.

If Villa play with their same swagger in midfield as they did against Manchester City then the 11/4 with Sky Bet on an away win could turn out to be a cracking bet.

The axis of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara with Youri Tielemans playing advanced worked a charm with Tielemans especially flourishing in that role. His output this season has been excellent - he's got six assists already and Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer have created more chances than him this season (39).

It's 4/1 with Sky Bet he grabs another assist.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham, Boxing Day, 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

The rise of Nuno Espirito Santo's side can be seen through the markets here where Forest are well-backed favourites at 13/10 to beat Tottenham, who are great fun but not a team to take seriously playing in this current style. One area Forest have the edge in this encounter is at centre-back where Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo are an elite partnership.

Ange Postecoglou growing impatient with questions over Spurs approach

The manager has built a team around their strengths and Murillo, especially, is making his mark - I'm not sure there is a better all-round central defender in the Premier League on current form.

His threat in the attacking third is also relevant from a betting perspective as his price of 5/2 with Sky Bet for two or more shots looks attractive. He's had at least one shot in 11 of his last 12 games, hitting the two-or-more line four times. With Spurs' vulnerabilities from set-pieces, he's likely to threaten that shots line.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

Southampton vs West Ham, Boxing Day, 3pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

The Saints battled their way to a hard-earned and deserved goalless draw at Fulham, restricting Marco Silva's side side to an expected goals figure of 1.04. It was a performance that had Ivan Juric's stamp all over it despite him not being officially in charge. His work at Torino, where they finished ninth last season before leaving for Roma, was built on solid foundations in defence. Only Inter Milan, Juventus and Bologna conceded fewer goals than Torino last season.

It's obviously worth treading carefully with any Saints bets in the early stages of the new manager and even though the overall numbers in the Premier League scream profit for over 2.5 goals backers, the under 2.5 line here at 6/5 with Sky Bet is too big to pass up.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-0

Wolves vs Manchester United, Boxing Day, 5:30pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Analysing the metrics behind both Wolves and Manchester United's last results is why using such data is an important and intriguing part of making decisions regarding outcomes of football matches.

Wolves scored three goals from an expected goals figure of 1.11 from just eight shots while United drew a blank in their 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth despite creating 2.28 expected goals from 28 shots.

This tells us despite winning 3-0 we can't go too overboard about Wolves turning a corner and perhaps United are moving in the right direction despite just taking seven points from six Premier League games under Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd latest: Neville says Rashford could go in January

The market certainly thinks so as they have the away side priced up at odds-on here at 19/20 with Sky Bet. That's too short to back for me but it wouldn't surprise me if United do start to find some consistency in the coming weeks. Keep them on your side would be my advice.

SCORE PREDITION: 1-1

Liverpool vs Leicester, Boxing Day, 8pm - PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Cricket score, incoming?

This could be a repeat of what Newcastle did to Leicester a couple of weeks ago where they battered them 4-0 in one of the most one-sided games of the season. Leicester were just camped inside their own half with no confidence or ability to sustain any pressure to get themselves up the pitch. It was wave after wave and ended with Newcastle posting 27 shots, 11 on target and scoring four goals.

Trent's exquisite passing explained in numbers

Trying to find bets in the Liverpool handicap or their total over-goals line is the correct punting strategy but the prices are so tight with the market expecting them to win this by three goals. That makes this game devilishly hard to find any squeak of value. A major thrashing could be on the cards though so Liverpool to defy a -5 goal handicap could be live although ideally I'd want bigger than 7/1 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 6-0

Brighton vs Brentford, Friday, 7.30pm

It's the football betting guru derby. Owners Tony Bloom and Matthew Benham both made their fortunes beating the betting markets using ahead-of-their-time models and have now built two of the best-run football empires in the world, especially in Brighton's case and I want to be with them here.

Brentford have lost 19 of their last 24 matches away at Premier League teams and are a very one-dimensional and stale team on the road.

The market does like them in certain spots which always does make me think they're too short - and I think Brighton have got a great chance of winning this game, especially as Brentford are missing their best player in Ethan Pinnock. In the 19 games without Pinnock in the Premier League since the start of the 22/23 season their win percentage drops from 40 per cent to 15 per cent.

I'm very greedy though when it comes to backing outright short prices, and I'm always looking to boost where possible and I think adding both teams to score to the Brighton win is worth it in this case when it takes the price to 7/4 with Sky Bet. Both teams have scored in 14 of Brighton's last 15 games in all competitions. And if you had backed the opposition to beat Brentford and both teams to score in their last eight away games you'd have landed a winner at odds-against prices seven times.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Brighton to win & both teams to score (7/4 with Sky Bet)

Arsenal vs Ipswich, Friday, 8.15pm

"It is crystal clear that we are going to have to show a different side of us in these next few games," said Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna after his team were ripped apart by Newcastle.

Reading between the lines, this means that Ipswich are going to slip into a deep defensive block, frustrate and try to stay in the game. It's a defensive structure that Arsenal have struggled against this season, most notably in their 0-0 with Everton.

Saka out for 'many weeks' with hamstring injury

Arsenal fixtures: Which games will Bukayo Saka miss?

Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal - report and highlights

It's doubtful whether Ipswich can repeat that level of organisation but with this one-way game likely to be on the cards there are betting angles to exploit with Arsenal's corner lines. I think they could rack up a healthy number here and the 11/10 with Sky Bet for nine or more Arsenal corners should go close if Ipswich can stay in the game early on.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Arsenal to win nine or more corners (11/10 with Sky Bet)

Jones Knows' best bets...

Newcastle 0-0 Aston Villa

Live Premier League table!

Both of these two are waiting to pounce on that top four...

Live PL table

Here come the teams!

It's been a deadly December for Newcastle, they have found their best form. And Villa? Well, they've won four of their last five in the Premier League.

This is the pick of the Boxing Day games isn't it? Aren't we lucky.

Isak can't stop scoring...

Four games. Six goals. Red hot Isak.

WATCH: Man City drop points again!

Manchester City have been held once again as they drew 1-1 with Everton at home in the early kick-off this Boxing Day.

That is one win in 13 games across all competitions for the champions.

These two teams will certainly be eyeing a top four spot now this season with City in such a mess...

Bruno vs Tielemans a key battle...

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

"Really looking forward to this. Could be a Christmas cracker, you know?

"So many talented footballers on show, especially in central areas where this game will be won and lost. Youri Tielemans against Bruno Guimaraes in there will be a great watch. Both very classy. Both very spikey.

"Teams have headed back down the tunnel following the warm-ups. Almost time for business."

WATCH: Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle

This was the Alexander Isak show...

WATCH: Aston Villa 2-1 Man City

Villa were back to their ferocious best last weekend...

Trippier makes first start since October

Kieran Trippier makes his first start since October to replace Tino Livramento, who isn’t in the Newcastle squad. Eddie Howe looks to keep momentum going after three straight wins.

Livramento is out due to illness.

Unai Emery is a football journalists dream right now. He names an unchanged Villa side.

Aston Villa team news

Team to face Newcastle: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Duran

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Newcastle team news

Team to face Aston Villa: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Gordon

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Jones Knows: Tielemans assist at 4/1 stands out

Sky Sports' betting expert Jones Knows:

"Game of the day material this one, involving two top teams on the back of impressive results. They'll both be hoping to motor towards the top four spots over the next few months as one looks up for grabs with Manchester City's demise, Tottenham's troubles and Manchester United's mediocrity.

"If Villa play with their same swagger in midfield as they did against Manchester City then the 11/4 with Sky Bet on an away win could turn out to be a cracking bet.

"The axis of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara with Youri Tielemans playing advanced worked a charm with Tielemans especially flourishing in that role. His output this season has been excellent - he's got six assists already and Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer have created more chances than him this season (39).

"It's 4/1 with Sky Bet he grabs another assist."

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Premier League Predictions and best bets: Nottingham Forest to turn heat up on Ange Postecoglou and Spurs

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Hello and welcome!

Eddie Howe has found the formula at Newcastle again - they are a team in hot form.

Three wins from their last three games, scoring 11 goals in the process and it's given many fans hope on Tyneside that a successful season is on the cards.

This will test their mettle though.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa roared back to their best against Manchester City last time out.

This should be fun. Stay with us for all the team news, match updates and analysis.

The 2024 awards - the Essential review of the footballing year

As we count down to the end of a memorable year in football, relive the last 12 months in the Premier League and beyond as Sky Sports football journalists Ron Walker, Ben Grounds and Sam Blitz dish out the awards for the best and the worst of 2024.

Who's been top of the tree, who's been the surprise package... And who's been the biggest disappointment? Get the discussion started around the Christmas table in the company of Sky Sports.

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Emery wants more from Rogers

Villa have not enjoyed their travels of late, having lost each of their last four Premier League games on the road, and Thursday provides a stern test.

Emery added: “When I arrived here, my thoughts were that it is the most difficult league. A lot of teams have capacity, with good players, good coaches and good history.

“There are a lot of teams now getting more points than normal. Those points they are getting is because the quality of the teams and players is very high.

“The league is a very interesting league, very motivating for us, each match how we can get points and be better. Now we are sixth, we are trying to focus each match, be consistent.

“We are feeling better at home, but away, it is completely different.”

Morgan Rogers continues to impress for Villa this term and that was emphasised with a goal and assist in their weekend win over City.

Emery added: “I am very demanding with him, with the team, with myself, but with Morgan, because he is very important for us.

“I need his performance every match we are playing, with different objectives as well. He has a lot of responsibility in my idea, style, and of course I am trying to push him a lot. I am very happy with him, but I want more from him.”

Emery wary of ‘very difficult’ challenge

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has set his sights on the “very difficult” challenge against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Villa beat Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday to give them a fourth win from five games in all competitions.

But they will travel to St James’ Park against a side who are currently enjoying a good spell of their own.

Newcastle will go into Thursday’s match following back-to-back 4-0 league victories over Leicester and Ipswich and Eddie Howe’s team also did the double over Villa last season.

Emery said: “Very difficult, because I think now they are in good form, and of course they played two years ago in the Champions League. Their objective is clearly to be in Europe.

“He (Howe) was doing a fantastic job with Bournemouth. Always, his teams are more or less dynamic teams, intensity, they like to play with the ball possession and being aggressive in attack, attacking with a lot of players.

“They beat us last year two times, and of course I respect them a lot. It is a very strong stadium for them, difficult for the opponent.

“They are being successful at home. They have lost some matches, but they are performing very well and winning a lot of matches. It is going to be very difficult. I respect the coach, I respect the players, I respect the club.”

Joelinton set to return against Villa

Howe hopes to have midfielder Joelinton, who suffered facial injuries during the 3-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford, back from suspension after he sat out Saturday’s 4-0 league victory at Ipswich for a fixture which has served his club well in recent seasons.

Villa have not won at St James’ Park since April 2005 – the day Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer were sent off for fighting each other after Steven Taylor had already been dismissed – a run of 16 games of which they have lost 10.

However, Howe is taking nothing for granted against Unai Emery’s side, who beat City 2-1 at the weekend.

He said: “The way Unai gets his teams to play, their style is very difficult to play against, very well coached, very well drilled. We expect a good game.”

Howe not putting limits on season objectives

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is refusing to consider the Premier League’s top six a “closed shop” as they attempt to break back into it.

The Magpies gatecrashed the upper reaches of the league table two seasons ago when they surged to a fourth-placed finish, a feat matched by Aston Villa at the end of the last campaign.

Spending regulations have presented both clubs with fresh challenges as they seek to remain among the big boys – Howe’s men could only manage seventh last season, their first back in the Champions League for two decades – but the head coach will not place any limits on his team.

He said: “I never see anything as a closed shop. It’s our job to try and achieve the most that we can and put no barriers on our levels or our expectations of ourselves internally and see what happens.”

Newcastle and Villa meet at St James’ Park on Boxing Day with the hosts sitting in eighth, two points behind the sixth-placed visitors with reigning champions Manchester City separating them and traditional powers Tottenham and Manchester United in the bottom half.

Asked if he believed “forces elsewhere” did not want to see the two clubs challenging the established order, Howe said with a smile: “I’m sure there’s people that don’t want that to happen again.

“But the beauty of the Premier League this year is that you never quite know what’s going to happen. Teams find it difficult to string consistent runs of results together – not just us.

“We have seen Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and loads of teams have really strong seasons. The level of the Premier League has been really tight this year between all teams.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of difference between the top and bottom sides and that’s testament to the quality of every team in the league. There are no easy games and that makes a great spectacle.

“It makes a great league because you never know what’s going to happen. You never know what twists and turns are ahead, so it’s up to all of us to try and break into whatever group of teams, try to upset people and achieve success.”

Can Isak continue rich vein of form?

That dream might have seemed fanciful a few weeks ago with the Magpies enduring a stuttering campaign, but back-to-back league wins over Leicester and Ipswich either side of a Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Brentford have rekindled hope.

Howe’s men will head into their Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa on Tyneside sitting five points adrift of the top four and with high hopes of improving significantly upon that if Isak in particular continues in his rich vein of form.

The frontman scored 25 goals last term after an injury-hit first campaign in England and after a slow start to the current season, is threatening to break the 20 barrier again to further justify the faith invested in him by Howe at the age of just 22.

Asked if he had been surprised by how quickly the Swede has taken to English football, Howe replied: “For that sum of money, I don’t think you’re looking at a development player, you’re looking at a player that you feel can come in straight away and hit the ground running.

“He’s had a brilliant couple of seasons for us and he looks like he’s hitting his best rhythm now. He’s such a valuable player for us.”

Meanwhile, Howe played down speculation that goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who is currently deputising for the injured Nick Pope, is close to agreeing a move to Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab.

He said: “That’s news to me. I’ve been aware of the rumours and the talk about that deal, but I don’t think it’s got to that point.”

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An impatient Ange Postecoglou once again defended Tottenham's approach and said he would never change despite shipping six goals at home to Liverpool.

Injury-hit Spurs were thrashed 6-3 by Liverpool in a chaotic game in north London, just the second time in Premier League history the club has conceded six at home, and it leaves them languishing in 11th at Christmas.

Spurs' tactics were criticised after the game, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher saying "nobody has ever won anything playing like that".

Report and highlights: Spurs 3-6 Liverpool

As it happened: How Spurs' nightmare before Christmas unfolded

Live Premier League table - Liverpool four points clear at Christmas

Stream the Premier League and more with NOW

Postecoglou, who defended his philosophy in midweek after Spurs threatened to throw away a three-goal lead against Manchester United, was not pleased to be fielding more questions about his approach just a few days later.

"I've been really patient the last 18 months, answering the same questions over and over again," said Postecoglou. "If people want me to change my approach, it's not going to change.

"We're doing it for a reason, we're doing it because we think it'll help us be successful."

Spurs, unable to make any changes from midweek, were forced to field a makeshift back four with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven still out and Destiny Udogie, who returned to the bench, not deemed fit enough to feature.

Eighteen-year-old midfielder Archie Gray played at centre-back alongside back-up option Radu Dragusin and Djed Spence, who many thought would leave in the summer, at left-back, with deputy Fraser Forster in goal.

Despite having seven players unavailable, Spurs still played their full-throttle football against the Premier League leaders and were punished by a ruthless showing from Arne Slot's side.

"If people don't understand the circumstances we're in, the challenges we have from a team and squad perspective, which are as obvious as I want to make them now - I get the idea that people think I should just flick the switch and change and somehow that would make us a different team.

"But it is what it is, I'm just going to continue staying focused on trying to build this team to be the team we want. In the interim, we're going to have to accept there's going to be challenges along the way."

Carragher: Nobody has ever won anything playing like that!

Jamie Carragher questioned Postecoglou's uncompromising approach in the face of such a daunting injury crisis and suggested he would not win anything playing like that.

"Not that I expect Tottenham to win the Premier League but nobody has ever won anything playing like that," the Sky Sports pundit said after the game.

"It was almost Kevin Keegan-like. The other team I could associate with that was almost Brendan Rodgers with Liverpool, where it was just end-to-end, 6-3, 5-4, and at the end of it they just come a little bit short.

"You've got to respect the opposition, you've got to respect the defensive side of the game."

He added: "I get the idea. It's not about a style of play. If everyone's fully fit and he wants to do things slightly different - every manager who comes in has got a little different way of doing things.

"You've got to have something that's a little bit different, that makes you special, that makes you start off in Australia and get yourself to the Premier League. It's a brilliant journey he's been on, and he's got a way about that.

"But when you've got your best team, not when you're down to the bare bones."

Analysis: Ange's entertainers are suffering

Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell:

Ange Postecoglou was disgruntled that there were questions about his approach after Spurs were beaten 6-3 by Liverpool. It does come up a lot in fairness. But how can it not?

This is the third home game in a row that Spurs have conceded three or more goals in. They have also conceded more goals, faced more shots and allowed more chances than any other team in the Premier League in December.

All of this would be fine if results were going well. They are the entertainers, after all. But there have been just three wins in the last 11 games. And at home just one win in six.

Injuries and absences, of course, are a big reason behind these concerning results that have left Spurs languishing in 11th. Surely, though, if the squad is so depleted, this would be the time, not to change the approach, but to tweak it. Just to ease the pressure.

Postecoglou doesn't agree. Maybe he is right. The truth is we won't really know until he gets his players back from injury and has a stronger squad to pick from. In the meantime, the players that are fit are available will have to suffer. But we will be entertained.

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Liverpool moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League heading into Christmas after both Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scored twice in a devastating 6-3 statement win at Tottenham on Super Sunday.

First-half goals from Diaz (23), Alexis Mac Allister (36) and Dominik Szoboszlai (45+1) put the Reds in full control, despite James Maddison (41) reducing the arrears.

Salah then took centre stage, set up both times by Szoboszlai for close-range finishes (54, 61), to put the game seemingly beyond doubt with half an hour still to play.

Dejan Kulusevski (72) and Dominic Solanke (83) responded to threaten the monster of all comebacks, but Diaz raced onto Salah's pass to complete a memorable victory for Arne Slot's side (85).

A tennis score at Tottenham means it's advantage Liverpool in the title race while Spurs sit 11th in the table.

As it happened: How Spurs' nightmare before Christmas unfolded

Teams | Match stats: Tennis score suits Slot

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

How Liverpool cemented Christmas No.1

It is the first time since 2020-21 Liverpool have sat top of the tree on December 25. They have only won the title in one of the last seven top-flight campaigns in which they've been top at Christmas - but the signs this year under Slot are ominous.

At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they ticked off another tough away assignment. With a game in hand, they were confirmed as Christmas No 1 before kick-off following Chelsea's goalless draw at Everton earlier on Sunday.

After Diaz's strike in the corresponding fixture last season was infamously ruled out for offside, the Colombian would not be denied the opener this time by any VAR controversy.

Nothing but a good process from the moment Trent Alexander-Arnold opened his body and laid the ball on a plate for Diaz to head back across Fraser Forster into the far corner.

Sky Sports' Gary Neville said on commentary: "The cross is something else! It is absolutely perfect. There are very few players in Premier League history with that level of accuracy. De Bruyne, Beckham and Gerrard maybe."

It meant Spurs had conceded the opening goal in 14 different home games in the Premier League in 2024 - the joint-most ever by a team within a calendar year in the competition - and soon, Liverpool doubled their advantage.

Szoboszlai competed for the ball from Andrew Robertson's cross with it falling kindly for Mac Allister to direct his header in from close range for his first goal of the season.

The Argentine had gambled, but a burglary is never too far away when it comes to Mac Allister and Christmas. Referee Sam Barrott wouldn't come to his aid when Kulusevski dispossessed him for Maddison's well-placed shot to breathe hope into the hosts.

It would prove short-lived as, in keeping with Spurs' disregard for game state this season, they duly conceded a third before the break as Salah slipped in Szoboszlai for a composed finish. Ange Postecoglou looked distinctly unimpressed - but his mood would darken further after more bedlam in the Tottenham box.

The Hungarian would repay the favour for Salah - twice - after the restart only for Spurs to atone for those two concessions with two more goals of their own.

Solanke's vision for Kulusevski's volley was sublime, and when the striker swept in Brennan Johnson's header back across goal, you just wondered what this Tottenham team were capable of doing next.

Diaz would ultimately add the final word having had the first, firing across Forster to end the madness. Twenty-one goals in Tottenham's last three games. Are you not entertained? But only one of these sides is on course to win the title in May.

Postecoglou: We won't change our approach

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"It was a difficult day for us and a painful result. Credit to Liverpool, they're a very good side, very settled. It was a bridge too far for us today. You could tell we lacked a bit of energy and the ability to compete with them at the same level.

"I've been really patient the last 18 months answering the same questions. We won't change our approach. I get the idea that people think that I should just flip the switch and it will miraculously make us a different team.

"I will just stay focused in building this team in the way we want and we have to accept that there will be challenges along the way.

"The players are not wavering in their commitment to what we're trying to do. I'm not happy with where we are [in the table]. I'm not sure about pressure.

"I feel I am being judged, and all I can do is try to navigate us through a difficult period and try to make sure that when we have a healthier squad and some key players back, that we can improve our position in the table. If you're saying that 11th means I'm not doing a good job and that I should feel uncomfortable, that is for others to judge."

Slot: If it was easy to win the league, every team would do it

Liverpool boss Arne Slot:

"The first 50-55 minutes is what you want, apart from the goal we conceded - 3-1 up and then it ended up being 5-1. We thought it was enough but Tottenham have far too much quality and they're able to create and score.

"In the games they've lost here against the bigger teams, they've been in the game. It was a really good performance from us apart from the 20 minutes we decided not to run anymore. That 15 minutes is maybe useful for us. It didn't hurt us today but in other moments, it's good.

"Against every team there's an opportunity. If they go for man for man, which they did for the first goal, then it needs one player to outplay the other and then you have an extra man.

"They have a very good idea about football. If you give them too much space then they will hurt you. I like what Ange does. He is at a club where they don't win that much in the last 15 to 20 years."

On being top of the league: "It tells you we are a very good team. Still three games to go until halfway but if you go here and play the game we did then it shows we are a hard team to beat. If it was easy to win the league then every team would do it."

Story of the match in stats...

Goals galore at Tottenham - Opta stats

This will be the 21st time Liverpool have been top of the English top-flight on Christmas Day; the most of any side. They've gone on to win the title in 11 of those previous 20 seasons (55%).

Nine goals is the joint-most that have been scored in a league fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool, along with a 7-2 win for Spurs in April 1963 and a 7-2 win for the Reds in October 1914.

Tottenham's Premier League matches under Ange Postecoglou have seen an average of 3.6 goals scored per game (both teams combined). Among those to take charge of 50+ games in the competition, this is the highest goals per game rate for any manager.

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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