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English Premier League Predictions - Matchday 18

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 26 Dec 2025

Simon Lewis 26 Dec 2025

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Goals galore as Forest host on-fire Man City.
Liverpool to pile on the agony for Wolves.
Fulham to dominate West Ham at home.
Brentford to grab three big points from Bournemouth.

Expired

Man City's Bernardo Silva wins the ball against Real Madrid (Getty Images).

English Premier League Predictions - Matchday 18

English Premier League Predictions - Matchday 18
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
Liverpool vs Wolves
West Ham vs Fulham
Brentford vs Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

Forest are one spot above the drop zone but have a five-point cushion over West Ham, while City are sitting just two points behind League leaders Arsenal. Forest beat City 1-0 at home in the League last season and have won five of their last seven matches, including a 3-0 away over Liverpool. They are in the best possible place to be hosting City.

City are on a wild spree of seven wins on the trot, including a 2-1 away win over mighty Real Madrid. They have won their last five games while conceding just one goal and scoring 13… but their previous two games were goal-frenzy matches, beating Fulham 5-4 away and 3-2 at home over Leeds. Forest have shared six three-plus goals in their last nine matches, so my gut says this should be a goal-fest… but the result could go one of three ways.

City will be without the services of Rayan Ait-Nouri or Omar Marmoush, who are both playing at the African Cup of Nations, but Guardiola looks set to field the same starting XI for the third match in a row.

Liverpool vs Wolves

Liverpool are equal on points with 4th-placed Chelsea as they host bottom of the barrel Wolves, who have just two points from 17 matches. Liverpool have had the sort of turbulent season that would make it worthwhile taking a long-shot bet at a Wolves win (or even just snatching a point)… but then again Wolves have lost 11 on the trot, going goalless in seven of those matches.

Liverpool have won their last five matches against Wolves and have now gone six matches without a defeat, picking up four wins, including their last three in a row, which included two clean sheets. A Wolves win would make a great Cinderella story, but in the real world it’s hard to imagine them even hitting the back of Liverpool’s net.

West Ham vs Fulham

West Ham are well below water in the drop zone with a goal difference of minus-16, a full 10 points below Fulham. West Ham haven’t won in their last six matches, while Fulham have played some impressive football, winning six and losing four of their last 10 matches. Not title-winning form, but they’re showing they have the game to stay mid-table.

The Hammers have put up a good fight in many of their matches, including a great scrap for a 1–1 away draw against Man United. At home West Ham might hope for a draw, although they have lost six of their last eight home games, but on the flip side Fulham have reeled in four wins from their last six home games, so I don’t see West Ham getting three points out of this contest, but backing them for a draw has merits considering the fight West Ham should put up.

Brentford vs Bournemouth

Both sides have played some good football but look destined for a season stuck in the middle of no-man’s lands in the League table. Brentford have won seven, drawn two and lost just one of their last 10 matches against Bournemouth, remaining unbeaten for the last eight clashes.

Bournemouth haven’t won in their last eight matches, losing four of those matches. Brentford have won three of their last eight matches, but have also lost four of those matches, but the big ticket item is goals conceded. Bournemouth have conceded 18 in their last eight matches while keeping just one clean sheet, so I’m anticipating their leaky defence to keep shipping goals. Bournemouth also haven’t won on the road in six matches, while Brentford have won three of their last four home games.

Verdict

English Premier League

Forest and Man City to rack up the goals, while Liverpool to shut the starving Wolves out.

West Ham to claw a draw at home against Fulham, Brentford to score a couple to beat Bournemouth.

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