Boxing Day football 2025
Premier League betting tips & TV guide
Death, taxes and football on Boxing Day. Until this year, at least.
Boxing Day football sat alongside turkey sandwiches and tiny screwdriver sets as a staple of the Christmas period. But in 2025, there’s just one live Premier League game on the 26th December and even that’s at 8pm.
But, fear not, we’ve broken down the entire post-Christmas fixture round up to 28th to provide score predictions, football betting tips and details of where to watch on television.
Find the best odds and compare bookmakers to place your festive flutter below.
Boxing Day weekend fixtures ⤵
Boxing Day is one of the biggest betting weekends of the season and this year’s lineup is no different. Here’s our quick summary of all 10 matches scheduled for 2025.
Manchester Utd v Newcastle Utd
Our prediction: An entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in this year’s only actual Boxing Day game.
Our prediction: A tight first half giving way to a comfortable City victory in the second period (1-3).
Arsenal v
Brighton
Our prediction: The beginning of the end for Arsenal as Brighton edge out a tight game at the Woolwich side’s north London holiday home (0-1).
Brentford v
AFC Bournemouth
Our prediction: A close game awaits with Brentford benefitting from home advantage against a team they usually beat (2-1).
Burnley v
Everton
Our prediction: With three previous Boxing Day wins against the Clarets under their belts, Everton will be confident and win comfortably (0-3).
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Our prediction: Coming soon.
- Last updated: 29 November 2025
🎄 Our Boxing Day football tips
Bet your way this Boxing Day with the help of our stats-based betting tips. We’ve gone back through the Premier League archives to pick out Boxing Day records from the last 33 years and give you the best insights for this Christmas season.
Read through our game by game analysis, review head-to-head results and decide who you’ll back to take all three points.
🗓️ Fri 26th Dec 2025, 20:00
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
In what will be the fifth Boxing Day fixture between the teams, Newcastle head to Old Trafford in the only game held on the 26th December in 2025.
In the previous four Boxing Day meetings, United have taken 10 points from a possible 12.
Neither club has a particularly illustrious festive record over the past five seasons with each winning just twice since 2020.
Last 5 head-to-head
Recent league contests tilt towards the Magpies following an away win last December and a 4-1 thrashing back at St James’ Park in April of this year.
23/04/25 – Newcastle 4-1 Man. Utd
30/12/24 – Man. Utd 0-2 Newcastle
15/05/24 – Man. Utd 3-2 Newcastle
02/04/23 – Newcastle 2-0 Man. Utd
16/10/22 – Man. Utd 0-0 Newcastle
🔮 Our Prediction – Draw (2-2)
An entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in this year’s only actual Boxing Day game. Similar records and Newcastle’s struggles at the start of this season suggest the points will be shared.
Boxing Day Form
Last 5 Boxing Day results
🅳🅳🆆🆆🅻
26/12/24 – Wolves (A), 2-0
26/12/23 – Aston Villa (H), 3-2
26/12/22 – Nott. Forest (H), 3-0
27/12/21 – Newcastle Utd. (A), 1-1
26/12/20 – Leicester City (A), 2-2
🅻🅳🆆🅻🆆
26/12/24 – Aston Villa (H), 3-0
26/12/23 – Nott. Forest (H), 1-3
26/12/22 – Leicester City (A), 0-3
27/12/21 – Manchester Utd. (H), 1-1
26/12/20 – Man. City (A), 0-2
Previous Boxing Day meetings
26/12/21 – Newcastle 1-1 Man. Utd
26/12/19 – Man. Utd 4-1 Newcastle
26/12/14 – Man. Utd 3-1 Newcastle
26/12/12 – Man. Utd 4-3 Newcastle
🗓️ Sat 27th Dec 2025, 12:30
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
Stability will be top of Christmas lists for Forest fans this year after a dramatic and disappointing start to the season.
Sean Dyche’s men will host the eight-time champions, as City look to make it five wins in their last six on Boxing Day, with their only blemish a home draw to Everton last year.
In contrast, Nottingham Forest have won just once over the Boxing Day period in their last five outings, even failing to win in the Championship against Middlesbrough and Birmingham.
Last 5 head-to-head
With no previous meetings in this round of fixtures between the teams since the start of the Premier League, Forest will be pinning their hopes on a repeat of their 1-0 home victory against City back in March this year.
08/03/25 – Nott. Forest 1-0 Man. City
04/12/24 – Man. City 3-0 Nott. Forest
28/04/24 – Nott. Forest 0-2 Man. City
23/09/23 – Man. City 2-0 Nott. Forest
18/02/23 – Nott. Forest 1-1 Man. City
🔮 Our Prediction – City to Win (1-3)
A tight first half giving way to a comfortable City victory in the second period. City’s Christmas period dominance will continue, returning to winning form after a draw at home to Everton in 2024.
Boxing Day Form
Last 5 Boxing Day results
26/12/24 – Tottenham (H), 1-0
26/12/23 – Newcastle Utd. (A), 3-1
27/12/22 – Manchester Utd. (A), 3-0
27/12/21 – Middlesbrough (A), 2-0
26/12/20 – Birmingham City (H), 0-0
26/12/24 – Everton (H), 1-1
27/12/23 – Everton (A), 1-3
28/12/22 – Leeds United (A), 1-3
26/12/21 – Leicester City (H), 6-3
26/12/20 – Newcastle Utd. (H), 2-0
Previous Boxing Day meetings
Nottingham Forest and Manchester City have never played each other on Boxing Day in the Premier League era.
🗓️ Sat 27th Dec 2025, 15:00
Arsenal vs Brighton
Arsenal have been top at Christmas in two of the past three seasons but are yet to deliver on any promise, having subsequently bottled the league on each occasion.
Other than a home defeat to West Ham in 2022, Arsenal’s Boxing Day record is impressive, stretching back to a draw against Bournemouth on Boxing Day 2019 – Arteta’s first game in charge.
Brighton are unbeaten in this fixture round over the past five years, but the Seagulls haven’t defeated Arsenal in the league since May 2023.
Last 5 head-to-head
Both clubs will be satisfied with their starts to the season and we could be in for yet another tight game at the Emirates. Can the Gunners postpone their inevitable fall from grace for just a small while longer?
04/01/25 – Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
31/08/24 – Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
06/04/24 – Brighton 0-3 Arsenal
17/12/23 – Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
14/05/23 – Arsenal 0-3 Brighton
🔮 Our Prediction – Brighton to Win (0-1)
The two sides have only met once before on Boxing Day in the Premier League, resulting in a 1-1 draw in 2018. Matches usually end in a score draw or a win to nil, but we fancy Brighton to get the better of Arsenal in 2025.
Boxing Day Form
Last 5 Boxing Day results
🆆🆆🆆🅻🆆
27/12/24 – Ipswich Town (H), 1-0
28/12/23 – West Ham (H), 0-2
26/12/22 – West Ham (H), 3-1
26/12/21 – Norwich City (A), 0-5
26/12/20 – Chelsea (H), 3-1
🅳🆆🆆🆆🅳
27/12/24 – Brentford (H), 0-0
28/12/23 – Tottenham (H), 4-2
26/12/22 – Southampton (A), 1-3
26/12/21 – Brentford (H), 2-0
27/12/20 – West Ham (A), 0-0
Previous Boxing Day meetings
26/12/18 – Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
🗓️ Sat 27th Dec 2025, 15:00
Brentford vs AFC Bournemouth
The departure of long-standing boss Thomas Frank hasn’t rocked the boat at Brentford, with the team continuing last season’s good form into the new campaign.
High-flying Bournemouth have been equally impressive and are yet again chasing European football under in demand Andoni Iraola.
Boxing Day hasn’t been particularly favourable to either team in recent years, with three wins between them in 10 games. The highlight being Bournemouth’s 3-0 win to Fulham in December 2023.
Last 5 head-to-head
Brentford are unbeaten in their last five games against the Cherries (W3, D2). We’re expecting a tight game in 2025 with four of the last five league meetings decided by fewer than two goals.
15/03/25 – Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
09/11/24 – Brentford 3-2 Bournemouth
11/05/24 – Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
02/09/23 – Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth
14/01/23 – Brentford 2-0 Bournemouth
🔮 Our Prediction – Brentford to Win (2-1)
Another close game awaits with Brentford benefitting from home advantage and confidence against a team they usually beat. These two factors swing our prediction in favour of The Bees, but only just.
Boxing Day Form
Last 5 Boxing Day results
🆆🅻🅳🅻🅳
27/12/24 – Brighton (A), 0-0
27/12/23 – Wolves (H), 1-4
26/12/22 – Tottenham (H), 2-2
26/12/21 – Brighton (A), 2-0
26/12/20 – Cardiff (A), 2-3
🅳🆆🅻🆆🅳
26/12/24 – Crystal Palace (H), 0-0
26/12/23 – Fulham (H), 3-0
27/12/22 – Chelsea (A), 2-0
27/12/21 – QPR (A), 0-1
26/12/19 – Arsenal (H), 1-1
Previous Boxing Day meetings
Brentford and Bournemouth have never played each other on Boxing Day in the Premier League era.
🗓️ Sat 27th Dec 2025, 15:00
Burnley vs Everton
Everton fans will have to wait for a Christmas fixture at their new Hill Dickinson stadium as they travel to Turf Moor on 27th December this year.
Burnley will be hoping for better results than the last three times they met Everton in this fixture round, losing each time in 2019, 2018 and 2009.
More recently, however, Burnley do have a better record on Boxing Day, with two wins in the last three seasons versus zero two defeats and a draw for The Toffees.
Last 5 head-to-head
Burnley have failed to score against Everton in their last two Premier League outings, losing on both occassions. Everton’s last league defeat against the Clarets was back in April 2022 in a five-goal thriller at Turf Moor.
06/04/24 – Everton 1-0 Burnley
16/12/23 – Burnley 0-2 Everton
06/04/22 – Burnley 3-2 Everton
13/09/21 – Everton 3-1 Burnley
12/03/21 – Everton 1-2 Burnley
🔮 Our Prediction – Everton to Win (0-3)
Both league and Boxing Day form point to a comfortable win for Everton in 2025. Burnley’s poor start to this season has seen them flirting with the relegation zone and a tough post-Christmas run of games could deepen problems unless results improve.
Boxing Day Form
Last 5 Boxing Day results
🅻🅻🆆🅻🆆
26/12/24 – Sheffield Utd. (A), 0-2
26/12/23 – Liverpool (H), 0-2
27/12/22 – Birmingham City (H), 3-0
27/12/20 – Leeds United (A), 1-0
26/12/19 – Everton (A), 1-0
🆆🆆🅻🅻🅳
26/12/24 – Man. City (A), 1-1
27/12/23 – Man. City (H), 1-3
26/12/22 – Wolves (H), 1-2
26/12/20 – Sheffield United (A), 0-1
26/12/19 – Burnley (H), 1-0
Previous Boxing Day meetings
26/12/19 – Everton 1-0 Burnley
26/12/18 – Burnley 1-5 Everton
28/12/09 – Everton 2-0 Burnley
Why there is only one Premier League game on Boxing Day in 2025?
In a turn of events more shocking than declining a Bucks Fizz on Christmas Day morning, the Premier League will host just one fixture on Boxing Day in 2025.
With the expansion of European competitions including the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, alongside the FA Cup’s rigid weekend scheduling, it appears that TV companies are the reason for this festive upset.
The Premier League is unable to fulfil its broadcast commitment of 33 weekends of fixtures due to Boxing Day falling on a Friday. However, the last-minute inclusion of Manchester United vs Newcastle has thankfully spared fans from a completely football-free Boxing Day.
Outside of the UK’s top division, you’ll still find plenty of football on the day after Christmas, with a full schedule of 12 games in each of the Championship, League One and League Two.
Back in the Premier League, there’s still complete a round of games within matchday 18, stretching across the weekend and culminating in Tottenham visiting Crystal Palace at 4.30pm on 28th December.
Perhaps sacrificing one full day of football for three days isn’t a bad thing after all?
History of Boxing Day football
For as long as most fans can remember, Boxing Day football has been part of the festive routine. A chance to walk off the turkey, escape the family and maybe question a few life choices in the stands. It’s as much a tradition as the King’s Speech.
From snow-covered pitches to last-minute winners, Boxing Day has always delivered memorable moments.
History of Boxing Day football
Early years and tradition
Boxing Day football kicked off in 1888, just a few months after the Football League itself was born on 17th April.
Travel wasn’t easy back then, so clubs stuck to short journeys and familiar opponents. Local derbies became the festive staple, with big crowds turning out to burn off the Christmas dinner and earn the bragging rights.
It caught on fast and Boxing Day soon became one of the most anticipated dates in the domestic football calendar, returning every year and even marking the resumption of top flight football after the World Cup in the winter of 2022.
History of Boxing Day football
Iconic moments and memories
We’ve all seen the fixture list from Boxing Day 1963, the one that resurfaces every year with 10 Division One games and a staggering 66 goals.
Fulham hit Ipswich for ten, Burnley put six past Manchester United, and the country unwrapped a full day of footballing madness. Nothing since has quite matched that level of mayhem, but the Premier League era has still had its fair share of Boxing Day drama.
From Chelsea’s 4–4 draw at Aston Villa in 2007 and Dimitar Berbatov’s four-goal haul for Manchester United in 2010, to Southampton's 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal on Boxing Day 2015, the day rarely disappoints.
History of Boxing Day football
All we want for Christmas is football
What happens next is anyone’s guess. With European competitions expanding, schedules already at bursting point and player welfare higher on the agenda than ever, Boxing Day’s place on the football calendar is under threat.
Still, tradition counts for something in English football. Fans want it, broadcasters love it, and clubs know what it means to the country.
Whether the fixtures fall on the 26th or shuffle around it like in 2025, Boxing Day football isn’t going silently into the night.
Betting trends on Boxing Day
Boxing Day football might be unpredictable, but a few patterns show up more often than not. Here are some trends that we’ve noticed that might just be your best gift of all this year.
No wins at home for Christmas
The usual home advantage tends to vanish once the wrapping paper is cleared.
In recent seasons, away sides have won around 60% of Boxing Day fixtures, while home teams closer to 35%.
Maybe it’s the travel routines, maybe it’s the Christmas hangover, but the visitors often head home with more than just leftovers.
Baby, it's goals outside
Boxing Day usually means goals, and lots of them.
In recent seasons, games around the 26th have averaged roughly 3.6 goals each, with over 2.5 goals coming in around 80% of the time.
Back the over this year and watch the goals flow like that bottle of Baileys you’ve been waiting to open.
Clean sheets on the naughty list
With goals flying in everywhere, it’s both ends of the turkey getting stuffed.
If you’re putting together a festive accumulator this year, skip the win markets and back “both teams to score”.
Around 65% of Boxing Day games see goals at both ends, making BTTS one of the safest shouts of the season.
Second half stocking fillers
Almost 45% of Boxing Day fixtures produce more goals in the second half than the first.
And fittingly for the Christmas period, it’s usually after the interval that stomachs settle, games open up and later-period markets start to show value.
FAQs - Boxing Day football 2025
Got questions about Boxing Day football this year? Here’s everything you need to know, from the schedule changes to how to make the best and safest festive bet.
In 2025, Boxing Day falls on a Friday, and broadcast rules prevent more than one Premier League fixture from being played that day. To meet their weekend commitments, most matches will take place on the 27th and 28th instead, keeping the full round of festive fixtures intact.
The best sites for Boxing Day football are UKGC-licensed, reliable under high traffic and offer competitive odds on festive fixtures. Look for strong in-play markets, quick withdrawals and seasonal free bets from trusted names already listed on this page.
As of the 2024-25 season, Manchester United have one of the strongest Boxing Day records, having gone unbeaten for more than a decade. While few teams remain perfect, United’s consistency has made them the benchmark for post-Christmas results.
Not significantly, but the timing of fixtures can affect them. Managers often rotate players during the festive schedule, which can lead to late price changes. Checking line-ups and team news before placing a bet is especially important at this stage of the season.
Simply sign up with a licensed UK bookmaker, deposit funds and select your preferred market. You can place singles, accumulators or in-play bets across Premier League and EFL fixtures scheduled for the festive round.
Yes. All major bookmakers open markets for the entire festive round, covering matches across the 26th to 28th. You can still bet pre-match or in-play as normal, even if fixtures fall a day later than usual.
You can. In-play betting will be available on every televised fixture across the festive period. Odds update instantly as games unfold, and cash-out features allow you to settle bets early if the match turns.
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