The Premier League’s 18th matchweek falls on Boxing Day weekend, a busy period that sees clubs battle for positions while fans enjoy a packed slate of games.
Matchweek 18 Overview
Matchweek 18 runs from Friday, December 26 to Sunday, December 28, marking the midway point of the 38-game season. With the league table tightening, several fixtures could shift standings dramatically. The weekend’s schedule is available on NBC’s platforms, USA Network, Peacock, NBC.com, and the new NBC Sports Network.
Friday Night Showdown
- 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT – Manchester United vs. Newcastle – broadcast on USA/NBC.com.
This mid-table clash sees United, positioned seventh, face Newcastle, who sit 11th after hosting several “Big 6” teams. The match is a test of consistency for both sides as they seek points to boost their playoff aspirations.
Saturday’s High-Profile Battles
Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest
- 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT – Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City – streamed on USA/NBC.com.
The second-placed City travel to Forest’s home ground, aiming to maintain pressure on league leaders Arsenal while keeping their title defence intact. City’s clinical finishing has been a hallmark of their season, protecting a less robust defense.
Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT – Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion – broadcast on USA/NBC.com.
Arsenal, the top-scoring side in the league, host ninth-place Brighton. Despite a new injury crisis in the backline, the Gunners continue to struggle with a scoring problem, while City’s form suggests they may capitalize on Arsenal’s vulnerabilities.
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
- 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT – Chelsea vs. Aston Villa – shown on NBC/NBC.com.
Fourth-placed Chelsea face third-placed Aston Villa, who are in a hot streak under manager Morgan Rogers. The Blues aim for a crucial win, while Villa look to widen their seven-point lead over Chelsea.
Additional Saturday Fixtures
- 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT – Brentford vs. Bournemouth – Peacock.
- 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT – Burnley vs. Everton – Peacock.
- 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT – Liverpool vs. Wolves – NBCSN/Peacock.
- 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT – West Ham vs. Fulham – Peacock.
These games add depth to the weekend’s action, featuring clubs from various tiers of the standings and offering fans a range of tactical battles.
Sunday’s Closing Matches
- 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT – Sunderland vs. Leeds United – USA/NBC.com.
- 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT – Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham – USA/NBC.com.
Sunday’s fixtures bring the season’s midpoint to a close, with Sunderland and Leeds United and Crystal Palace and Tottenham offering further opportunities for teams to climb the table.
Erling Haaland Spotlight
The article also includes a section titled “Here are five things to know about Erling Haaland, Norwegian striker for Manchester City.” While the details are not listed in the original text, the headline signals a focus on the prolific forward’s impact during this matchweek.
Key Takeaways
- Matchweek 18 spans December 26-28, featuring high-stakes games for the top four clubs.
- Key matches include Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest, Arsenal vs. Brighton, and Chelsea vs. Aston Villa.
- Games are available across NBC, USA Network, Peacock, NBC.com, and NBC Sports Network.
- The weekend concludes with Sunderland vs. Leeds United and Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham.
- A dedicated section highlights five facts about Erling Haaland, underscoring his importance to Manchester City.
The Boxing Day weekend delivers a comprehensive slate of Premier League action, with pivotal matches that could reshape the standings as the season approaches its halfway point. Fans can tune in through NBC’s suite of platforms to catch every moment of this football spectacle.
Closing
As the Premier League enters the mid-season juncture, Matchweek 18 offers a mix of top-flight clashes and intriguing mid-table battles. With games spread across multiple broadcasters, supporters have ample opportunity to follow their teams and witness the drama that defines England’s top football competition.
Footnotes
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT) as provided in the original broadcast schedule.
