While there is only one Premier League fixture on Boxing Day this year, we won’t have to wait long to get really stuck into Matchday 18.
With games scheduled for December 27 and December 28, which allows viewers to give more attention to EFL matches on the 26th, the hectic festive period is perhaps the most crucial part of any season.
Those at the bottom can fall further adrift of the pack, while the skirmish at the top only intensifies over the next few weeks.
We cannot wait for all the Premier League action coming our way, and here are our picks for Matchday 18 of this enthralling season, with all the selections based on the latest football odds available at NetBet.
And over the festive period, remember to take advantage of our Weekly Premier League Offer. Wager £20 on qualifying Premier League Accas and earn yourself a £5 Free Bet.
*All odds are subject to change
West Ham vs Fulham: Anytime goalscorer – Jarrod Bowen @ 2.88
Speaking of teams falling further adrift at the foot of the table, West Ham are in serious peril. After last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now prime candidates for relegation. The Hammers’ form needs to turn around quickly, and a match against Fulham could perhaps prove to be the catalyst for change. Captain Bowen is surely the man to inspire the rest of the squad, with the England international scoring in his last appearance at the London Stadium – albeit a 3-2 loss to Aston Villa. So we are backing Bowen to deliver for his side once again, with Fulham failing to keep a clean sheet in the last five.
Brentford to beat Bournemouth @ 2.22
Brentford have been quietly going about their business this season, winning 2-0 at Wolves on the weekend. Furthermore, Keith Andrews’ side have been fabulous at the Gtech Stadium, sitting fifth in the Premier League home table with five wins from eight. And on the other side of the coin, Bournemouth have been shocking away from the Vitality Stadium. Andoni Iraola’s team are 17th in the top-flight away table, winning just one match on their travels so far this season and conceding 23 goals. So while the teams look very evenly-matched on paper in terms of player quality, the stats suggest it is worth pursuing another home victory for the Bees. Brentford won all three matches against Bournemouth last season as well, including a 3-2 success at the Gtech back in November 2024.
Liverpool vs Wolves: Anytime goalscorer – Hugo Ekitike @ 1.80
With Alexander Isak set to be out for a while with a serious leg injury, Ekitike will be Liverpool’s main man over the coming months. Like Isak, the Frenchman scored in the 2-1 win at Tottenham last Saturday, and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Wolves’ dreadful defence at Anfield. The Wanderers have conceded 37 goals in 17 matches this season, losing each of the last 10 in the top flight. So to say this contest is tailor-made for an Ekitike goal is something of an understatement, and we are a tad surprised the odds are not even shorter. The ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star already has eight Premier League strikes to his name in 2025-26.
Leeds to beat Sunderland @ 2.78
Leeds are on a great run of form, particularly on home soil. The last three at Elland Road have seen Daniel Farke’s side claim great results over Chelsea (3-1), Liverpool (3-3) and Crystal Palace (4-1). Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in all of those games, and the hosts will certainly look to turn the screw against a fellow newly-promoted team. Now, had this fixture been staged a few weeks back, we would have been a bit more hesitant to tip Leeds, as Sunderland have been the surprise package of 2025-26. But the Black Cats’ squad has been decimated by AFCON, with key players in Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, Bertrand Traore and Chemsdine Talbi now unavailable to manager Regis Le Bris. Of course, Sunderland still managed to draw 0-0 at Brighton without those players, but Elland Road may prove to be a step too far.
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