New Delhi: Matchday 17 of the Premier League promises high-intensity action as the weekend marks the conclusion of pre-Christmas fixtures. Saturday’s games delivered dramatic results that shook up the standings. Aston Villa shocked Manchester City with a 2-1 win, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side winless in their last nine Premier League fixtures. Arsenal showcased their attacking prowess in a 5-1 triumph over Crystal Palace while Newcastle dominated Ipswich Town with a commanding 4-0 victory.
As for today’s fixtures all eyes are on the dugouts with new managerial faces aiming to make an impact. Ivan Juric will lead Southampton for the first time as he hopes to guide the struggling Saints out of the relegation zone whereas Wolves will be led by Vitor Pereira to reverse their recent slump. Before the action kicks off, let’s examine which teams hold the edge heading into today’s fixtures.
Everton vs Chelsea (7:30 pm IST)
UTT ✊💙 pic.twitter.com/MqeUMeSfeU
— Everton (@Everton) December 22, 2024
Chelsea will have a chance to go to the top of the Premier League as they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton tonight. With Liverpool not playing until later in the day, a win for Enzo Maresca’s side would see them edge ahead of the leaders by a single point. Chelsea have been on an incredible run since the November international break, having won all eight of their games across all competitions including a 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers in midweek to finish their Conference League group stage with a perfect record. This impressive form has catapulted them back into the title picture, railing just two points behind Liverpool. A win at Goodison would send a huge message of intent for the rest of the season but Chelsea’s recent record at the venue doesn’t bode well having lost five of their last six visits to Merseyside with only four wins from 17 league trips since 2008 including a loss in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2016.
Meanwhile, Everton just ended Farhad Moshiri’s troubled tenure with the recent takeover by the Friedkin Group. The news has sparked hope at Goodison following an impressive 0-0 draw at Arsenal last weekend. Sean Dyche’s side have been solid defensively with a remarkable six clean sheets since November 1. However, their attack remains a major concern as they continue to struggle to score managing fewer goals from open play than any other Premier League team in the last two seasons.
Everton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Chelsea: Sanchez; Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto; Lavia, Enzo; Pedro Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Chelsea
Manchester United vs Bournemouth (7:30 pm IST)
Let’s give the gift of three points, Reds 🎁#MUFC || #MUNBOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2024
Manchester United will be desperate to bounce back from their midweek heartbreak when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Despite a spirited second-half fightback, the Red Devils suffered a 4-3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side licking their wounds. However, a recent 2-1 derby win over Manchester City offers a glimmer of hope as they aim to climb from a disappointing 13th place in the Premier League standings. Failing to secure three points could see United spending Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time in Premier League history but their attacking form at home has been encouraging having scored at least twice in their last five matches at Old Trafford.
On the other hand, Bournemouth will arrive in good spirits after extending their unbeaten run to four Premier League games with a dramatic 1-1 draw against West Ham. Enes Unal’s stunning last-minute free kick sealed a point for the Cherries, who sit in sixth place just two points off Manchester City. Andoni Iraola’s men are on a roll, having won three of their last four matches and scored in their previous nine league outings. With their attacking prowess and recent form the Cherries could pose a serious threat to United’s fragile confidence.
Manchester United: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Bournemouth: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Fulham vs Southampton (7:30 pm IST)
Set for the Saints. 👊#FULSOU pic.twitter.com/JYpETYvnJl
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 22, 2024
The Ivan Juric era is set to begin at Southampton tonight as the Saints welcome Fulham to St. Mary’s Stadium in their final Premier League game before Christmas. The home side are currently languishing at the bottom of the table in hope that their incoming manager can inspire them a turnaround after Russell Martin’s dismissal. Juric takes over a struggling team that suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and their midweek EFL Cup quarter-final loss to Liverpool only added to their woes. Southampton have now gone seven games without a win, leaving them nine points adrift of safety. The Saints’ dismal form this season includes one point on the road this season and no Premier League away win since February 2023.
Meanwhile, Fulham arrives in fine form having taken points from Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in recent gameweeks. Marco Silva’s men sit eighth in the table and could climb as high as fifth with a win. Despite their defensive frailties, they have just one clean sheet in their last ten games, the Cottagers boast the longest active scoring streak in the Premier League, netting in their last 15 matches. Silva’s side will aim to maintain their momentum while Juric faces the daunting task of reigniting Southampton’s survival hopes.
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Archer
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 Southampton
Leicester City vs Wolves (7:30 pm IST)
Into the festive fixtures! 🔔#LEIWOL pic.twitter.com/NT1CZzpxVn
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 22, 2024
Leicester City host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the King Power Stadium tonight with both sides desperate to turn their fortunes around under new management. Leicester led by Ruud van Nistelrooy are coming off a humbling 4-0 defeat to Newcastle which highlighted defensive vulnerabilities as the Foxes conceded 73 shots in just three games under their new boss. Despite early promises under van Nistelrooy including a win over West Ham and a draw against Brighton, the Foxes remain just above the relegation zone in 17th place. Their reliance on 37-year-old Jamie Vardy continues to be a concern but Leicester’s impressive record against Wolves offers hope.
Meanwhile, Wolves are also in turmoil after a fourth consecutive defeat that led to Gary O’Neil’s sacking. New boss Vitor Pereira arrives with the daunting task of changing the Wolves’ fortune who have conceded a league-high 40 goals in 16 games. The atmosphere around Wolves has been downcast with Ryan Ait-Nouri receiving a red card while Matheus Cunha has set to be suspended pending Premier League confirmation. However, both teams have a formidable backline and the game seems to be an end-to-end affair with the hope of securing all three points.
Leicester City: Ward; Justin, Vestergaard, Coady, Kristiansen; Soumare, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy
Wolves: Johnstone; Nelson Semedo, Bueno, Toti; Doherty, Andre, Lemina, R Gomes; Joao Gomes, Cunha, Strand Larsen
Prediction: Leicester City 2-3 Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool (10 pm IST)
Up next: The Reds head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 👊🔴 #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/oq3ZE8W0W2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 19, 2024
Tottenham Hotspur will host league leaders Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling Premier League encounter. Spurs will enter the game on the back of a dramatic 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the EFL Cup semi-finals where Ange Postecoglou’s side held their nerve despite a few defensive lapses to book a Wembley appearance. Spurs will aim to build on their recent attacking form as they have scored five goals in the first half against Southampton last weekend.
On the other hand, Liverpool continue their remarkable unbeaten run stretching to 20 matches across all competitions. Arne Slot’s side narrowly edged Southampton 2-1 in midweek EFL Cup action to secure their spot in the semi-finals. Liverpool remain atop of the league standings but have seen their lead shrink to just two points following recent draws with Newcastle and Fulham. The Reds boast an unbeaten away record this season and have even dominated this fixture historically losing only twice in their last 23 Premier League meetings with Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur: Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Liverpool
Where to watch Premier League Matchday 17 fixtures?
As Premier League Matchday 17 gets underway, fans can enjoy all the action either on television or by streaming. The matches will be available on the Star Sports network and those who prefer to stream can catch the games live on Disney+ Hotstar.
Check out the detailed preview and predicted lineups of Premier League Matchday 17 Sunday fixtures where top teams prepare for intense battles. Also, find out where to watch the Premier League’s matchday 17 fixtures. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
