Premier League fans will enjoy the only duel this year during the traditional program on Boxing Day. They can take solace in the fact that this is a meeting between two big teams – Newcastle can get ahead of Manchester United in it.
Every year, the twenty-sixth of December was inextricably linked with a significant portion of Premier League matches. For example, last year, with the exception of two cases, the entire round took place on this day, i.e. a total of eight matches, two years ago there were slightly fewer duels, namely five. But the year 2025 will offer only two teams in action, which has not happened for forty-three long years.
Reason? Still rather vague. The management of the Premier League explains the situation with a busy calendar due to international competitions as well as a modified schedule of cup competitions. The league rounds are thus played more often during the working week, while the contract with the TV broadcaster should specify a minimum number of weekends that offer the best English football.
That is why all the attention on Friday will be focused on Manchester United, who will try for only the third victory since the beginning of November. During that time, he played eight games, in which he also faced five of the seven currently worst teams in the competition. The most understandable loss is without a doubt the last one, on Sunday, the Red Devils were not enough against the excited Aston Villa after a balanced battle.
The much worse news for Rúben Amorim is the injury to support Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese midfielder has been involved in twelve of the thirty-one goals scored this year. Combined with the departure of top scorer Bryan Mbeum for the Africa Cup of Nations, it is not an enviable situation for the Red Devils.
Newcastle’s number one attacking threat is fully healthy and with his best game of the season behind him. Nick Woltemade netted two goals in the Chelsea net last time out, giving his team a decent early lead. Although the Magpies couldn’t keep it in the second half, a draw with the favorites combined with a cup promotion past Fulham is a welcome salve for the derby defeat at Sunderland.
However, what could trouble Eddie Howe are health problems in defence. The goalkeeper Nick Pope is still not 100% fit, the four defenders in the form of Burn, Krafth, Livrament and Trippier are 100% out of the game, the start for the other two – Botman and Lascelles – is highly unlikely. In addition to the already mentioned Fernandes and Mbeum, the hosts are also missing a pair of stoppers De Ligt and Maguire, as well as wing-backs Diallo and Mazraoui, as well as midfielder Mainoo.
The match at Old Trafford will kick off on Boxing Day at 21:00, and experienced referee Anthony Taylor will also join the action shortly after Christmas. He was also in charge of the last played league match between Fulham and Nottingham.
Manchester United – probable line-up:
Lammens – Yoro, Heaven, Shaw – Dalot, Casemiro, Martínez, Dorgu – Mount, Cunha – Sheshko
Newcastle United – probable line-up:
Ramsdale – Miley, Thiaw, Schär, Hall – Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Tipsport odds: 2.54 – 3.79 – 2.70
Tip EuroFotbal.cz: 0
