After a six-week break for the winter World Cup in Qatar, the Premier League is back for the festive season, so what can we expect from the holiday fixtures?

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By Ifeanyichukwu Egeonu

Brentford vs Tottenham 

In the last set of games before the World Cup, Brentford pulled off a stunning win at Manchester City, with Ivan Toney scoring twice.
Unfortunately, Toney didn't make it into the England squad for the World Cup, and he will be looking to put that bit of disappointment behind him by picking up from where he left off while Tottenham will be looking for some inspiration from their talisman, Harry Kane and expects he hits the ground running after returning from Qatar.
Richarlison will be out for a few weeks with injury and Spurs are going to miss him. But, they have Son Hueng-min and Dejan Kulusevski fit again, which will help.
This is the fixture that kick-starts the Premier League after World Cup break, and I have a feeling this game might end in a stalemate.

My prediction: 1-1

Crystal Palace vs Fulham

Fulham did have a go at almost every team they faced in the first half of the season, home or away. 
They have seemingly over-achieved so far, while it looks like Palace on the other hand have been below par in many respects, especially when you look through their squad. 
Crystal Palace are always in fine fettle at home and I am putting my smart money on them to edge this.

My prediction: 2-1

Everton vs Wolves
This is a huge game for both teams, but it actually feels more important for Everton.
Wolves have a new manager in Julen Lopetegui, and this will be his first game in charge of the Premier League's bottom team since he was appointed about a month ago. 
Lopetegui has a lot of work on hands, especially getting Wolves to some goals as they look to climb up the table, but he is getting a new start while Frank Lampard's men were going down under before the season came to a halt for the World Cup.
Everton have lost six of their past eight games in all competitions and could not signed off on a worst note than being hammered twice by Bournemouth, in the Carabao Cup and then the league.
Wolves are in a relegation dogfight, but so are Everton who desperately need a win giving that they go to the Etihad on New Year's Eve to face Manchester City in their next game.
The Goodison Park crowd will have a role to play if the Toffees are to take all three points, and I think they will win this, just slightly.

My prediction: 2-1

Leicester vs Newcastle

The two teams were in excellent form before the World Cup - Leicester had moved up the table thanks to four wins in five league games, while Newcastle rapidly made their way into third with five wins on the spin.
The last time both teams met, Leicester ran out 4-0 winners, but this is a totally different Newcastle side. 
It will be a close affair, and I think both teams will share the spoils in this one.

My prediction: 2-2

Southampton vs Brighton

The Saints are another team with a new manager after appointing Luton boss Nathan Jones.
I actually think they would have had a better chance of avoiding relegation if they had stuck with Ralph Hasenhuttl. So right now, they are one of my prime candidates to go down at the end of the season. 
They really need a 'new manager' bounce to pick up some wins from their next set of fixtures, which appears to be pretty kind on paper.
I am not sure they will get a win in this one, though. Brighton play with a lot of zest under Roberto De Zerbi, and they always carry a goal threat.

My prediction: 1-2

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Liverpool were pretty much bubbly against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night but they missed some big chances - Darwin Nunez in particular, and looked quite porous at the back.
This could turn out to be the surprise result of the first round of festive fixtures and I think Unai Emery's side will fancy their chances of taking Liverpool's scalp.

My prediction: 2-1

Arsenal vs West Ham

Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the table but the next couple of weeks will be crucial to know if they are actually title contenders.
They were in such fine form before the break, and will be cursing their luck that it came at the worst possible time. To make matters worse, they lost Gabriel Jesus to a significant injury.
I have heard a lot of people point to his lack of goals before the World Cup, but you can't deny the fact that he is integral to them in the way they press from the front, and with his link-up play having racked up six assists so far in the league.
Within the squad, he is certainly irreplaceable so, it will be important to see if they go into the market in January to try to make some signings.
West Ham didn't have the greatest first half of the season, but one thing they should be here is being tough to beat.

My prediction: 1-1

Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Chelsea are desperately in need of a win at the moment after going six league games without a victory, and losing the last four, so Graham Potter is under enormous pressure here.
I think Potter will come good in the end if given time to get things right, but they have had problems scoring goals since his appointment so it is important they create and take their chances against Bournemouth.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Cherries next.
Gary O'Neill's success as caretaker manager meant he deserved to be appointed on a permanent basis, but to keep his job, he has to back up those results now.

My prediction: 2-0

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Forest have got a terrible away record with just two points and one goal from seven games. That prime relegation form, and I don't see a change in fortune at Old Trafford.
Now that Cristiano Ronaldo has officially gone, the expectation is that Manchester United will be in a better place and also much better as a team.
That should be the case here, but it wouldn't surprise me if they make a hard work of this one and need a moment of brilliance from Marcus Rashford to get them over the line.

My prediction: 2-0

Leeds vs Manchester City

Manchester City looked like they meant business in their first game back on Thursday night against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Leeds always seem to have a spell in the every game when they are on top, but they seldom do sustain it for 90 minutes and that should be a worry, especially when facing a side as good as City.
The atmosphere at Elland Road is going to be fever pitch but I don't think it will be enough to see them over the line here.

My prediction: 1-3

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