Boxing Day is a day of giving and unwrapping gifts. It holds much joy for many across the world. For the football world, Boxing Day fixtures add even more spice to the day. There is no better feeling than watching a football match to go with your memorable moments spent with loved ones.
Unfortunately, most football leagues are now on a break and will resume after the first week of January. Football leagues in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are on a Christmas break. This means that only the English Premiership and its affiliate football leagues will have rounds of fixtures.
Nonetheless, the available Boxing Day fixtures offer great promise for entertainment and present a great opportunity for football lovers to enjoy and live through the excitement.
Here are 5 Boxing Day fixtures for you to follow and enjoy.
1. Newcastle United Vs Nottingham Forest
This is a match between two sides that are struggling for form at the moment. Newcastle have been a force in the recent past. Their good performances last year were rewarded with Champions League football this season. Even though the campaign ended prematurely and in disappointment at missing out on European football entirely, the Toons will look back at this season with admiration after a long wait to get back to Champions League football.
On their part, Forest has struggled to put together meaningful results. Despite playing some great football early on in the season, they have waned and lost course as the season wore on. Steve Cooper, the coach responsible for winning them promotion, was eventually sacked as Forest owners tried their best to steady the ship.
Overall, the two sides still command lots of quality in terms of available players and the technical side of things. This early kickoff will be a great curtain raiser to subsequent Boxing Day fixtures. As both try to get back to winning ways, this is a match that promises great entertainment and goals.
Hivisasa Africa Prediction: Forest Win
2. Bournemouth Vs Fulham
Only a point separates Bournemouth (who have played a game less) and Fulham in the table. The two have been part of some entertaining Premier League fixtures in the recent past. Their inability to put together a consistent run of results has eventually consigned them to the bottom half of the table. Even then, this fixture promises to produce top-notch entertainment as both sides aim to close the year on a high and move up the table. Fulham, despite their lovely brand of football, have been undone by indiscipline. Other than that, they are extremely capable of turning their fortunes around and making a push for Europe as the season wears on.
Despite Bournemouth’s recent resurgence, Fulham should be able to get over the line on this.
Hivisasa Africa Prediction: Fulham Win
3. Sheffield United Vs Luton Town
When the season started, many knew Luton would struggle to get points. Many believed they would spend the entire season at the foot of the table and go right back down. That has not been the case, though. Luton has been one of the most entertaining sides in the Premier League. They have repeatedly shown that they are capable of taking on the big guns and getting wins when it matters. Even in matches where they have lost, Luton has shown great resilience and fight. For their part, Sheffield United have not had things go their way. They have had a change in the dugout after half the season and things are not looking particularly good for them. Of the promoted teams, Sheffield was thought to be slightly better placed to stay up; that isn’t the case anymore.
Both teams will feel this is a fixture they should win, As such, this could turn out to be one of the most entertaining Boxing Day fixtures of recent memory.
Hivisasa Africa Prediction: United 1 – 3 Luton
4. Burnley Vs Liverpool
This looks like a walkover for Liverpool, with all due respect to Burnley. Burnley have done their best to implement the brand of football that saw them fly past opponents in the Championship last season. While there have been flashes of that brand of football in the top flight, it has not given them results or pushed them over the line. They are still second bottom of the table.
On their part, Liverpool are one of 3 or 4 strong contenders to win this year’s title. They were unfortunate not to win against Arsenal last time out despite their late dominance and clear chances. At the very best, Burnely can get a draw; and even that would take a massive amount of complacency on the side of Liverpool. The Reds will never get favorable Boxing Day fixtures.
Hivisasa Africa Prediction: Burnley 1 – 5 Liverpool
5. Manchester United Vs Aston Villa
Villa are 11 points ahead of United going into this fixture. No one would have imagined that at the beginning of the season. You’d have to go back more than 40 years for this to be a possibility – Villa spending that much time ahead of United in the table.
Man United is on a terrible slide into mediocrity while Villa keeps surprising everyone. Their strong home record has been a key part of their success. For United, getting results has been an uphill task. This late kick-off is a pick of the bunch among the available Boxing Day fixtures.
Man United beating Villa at this stage will come as a surprise, that is how far the tables have turned.
Hivisasa Africa Prediction: United 1 – 2 Villa
For an improved Boxing Day fixtures experience, you can follow Matchday programs to know when or where the matches will be showing.
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