Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: “Hopefully [we can give] a response to our last game. We have played really well here. The atmosphere has been incredible and our performances have matched that and we are looking to go well today but we know it’ll be a tough game against Nottingham Forest and a new manager.

“We have to perform in the manner we are accustomed to and create a good rhythm and feeling and hope our quality comes through in the game.

“I think we have come through the worst period and we need to make sure we attack this game. A win would make all the difference to us.”

Just 15 minutes to go until kick-off.

Get yourselves settled down with a turkey sandwich!

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "I’ve been busy, there has been a lot of work, we have been trying to get our ideas across in a short period of time but I think the players are engaging so we go step by step.

"We knew the schedule. The players are ready, it is a special moment for everybody, it is Christmas time so let’s enjoy the game. The training sessions were short but was important were the messages.

"The boys really fought against Bournemouth with one-man down and we deserved something more from the game and now we face a tough opponent in Newcastle but I think the players are ready and we want to get out of this tough situation that we are facing."

On making six changes: "It is basically the same shape of team with different profile of players."

Newcastle were dealt another injury blow in their 1-0 defeat by Luton on Saturday as centre-back Jamaal Lascelles limped off in the first half.

However, manager Eddie Howe said afterwards there were "no excuses" as his side suffered a fifth defeat in their past six games in all competitions.

In the space of a fortnight, Newcastle have been knocked out of the Champions League and EFL Cup, while they sit seventh in the Premier League.

Sven Botman back in the starting line-up today, but can Newcastle get back on track and deliver a late Christmas present to their fans?

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can tune into BBC Radio 5 Live now to hear build-up for today's Boxing Day fixtures.

Mark Chapman is joined by Alan Shearer, Dion Dublin, Jen Beattie and Adam Crafton.

There will also be updates of Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest.

You can listen by clicking the play icon at the top of this page or on BBC Sounds here.

Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest was an eventful one.

The Portuguese boss was not happy with referee Rob Jones during his side's 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth.

He said Forest "deserve more respect" after Willy Boly was shown a controversial red card - picking up a second yellow for a tackle on Adam Smith, despite winning the ball.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards called the decision and "absolute howler", adding it "ruined the game".

Image source, BBC Sport

Eddie Howe needs a win here because Newcastle's run of results is becoming a worry. Including their defeat on penalties to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, they have lost five of their past six games in all competitions.

It's not quite the case where they need to stop the rot, but fighting on a few fronts has clearly taken its toll.

Their home form in the Premier League is still strong, however, and I am sure being back at St James' Park will help them out again.

It's going to be interesting to see how quickly new boss Nuno Espirito Santo can make his mark at Forest because they could soon find themselves in the thick of the relegation scrap.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Image source, Getty Images

With Christmas over, the next big celebration to look forward to is New Year’s Eve.

It’s usually a time to reflect on the past year, so with that in mind let’s see how much you can remember about the Premier League in 2023?

There is a question for every month of the year for the 20 sides in this season's top flight.

Take our bumper quiz here.

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group will take control Manchester United’s football operations and he will also provide $300m (£236m) for future investment into the club's Old Trafford stadium.

It may be about 6-8 weeks before the shareholding is ratified and Ratcliffe can start to make his presence felt.

And there’s lots to think about for the 71-year-old with the January transfer window fast approaching.

What will happen to Jadon Sancho? And there's Erik ten Hag’s future to consider after United’s worst start to a season since 1930.

Read more about the areas Ratcliffe will be thinking about here.

Image source, Getty Images

In the short space of time between now and the last Premier League match – Wolves v Chelsea on Christmas Eve – there’s been a big change for one club.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United for about $1.3bn.

The announcement on Christmas Eve evening came 13 months after the club's owners, the Glazer family, stated they were considering selling to "explore strategic alternatives".

So, will this be a turning point for the club? Manchester United fans, let us know your thoughts.

Get Involved via #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Usually Boxing Day throws up a few surprises in the Premier League. Hopefully today we'll see another classic.

As always we want to hear from you! Is there a Boxing Day game that is particularly memorable for you? Or do any of you have unique football-based Boxing Day traditions?

Let us know!

#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Nottingham Forest will move above Everton with the three points, but Nuno Espirito Santo's new side could end the day in the relegation zone if either Luton or Burnley win later on.

Image source, .

Image source, BBC Sport

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe makes two changes to the side that started the 1-0 Premier League loss at struggling Luton last Saturday.

Alexander Isak replaces Callum Wilson up front, while Dutch defender Sven Botman makes his first top-flight start since 24 September as he comes in for Jamaal Lascelles. Meanwhile, Joelinton returns to the bench after missing the trip to Kenilworth Road with a hamstring problem.

Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Burn, Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Karius, Dummett, Joelinton, Wilson, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Alex Murphy.

Image source, BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest make six changes to the side that began the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on 23 December.

Defender Willy Boly is suspended following his red card against the Cherries so Moussa Niakhate comes into defence.

Orel Mangala, Neco Williams, Ryan Yates and Divock Origi all drop to the bench as Harry Toffolo misses out altogether. Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Danilo and Gonzalo Montiel all start in their place.

Nottingham Forest XI: Turner, Aina, Niakhate, Murillo, Montiel, Danilo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood.

Subs: Vlachodimos, Williams, Tavares, Worrall, Mangala Kouyate, Dominguez Yates, Origi.

Newcastle will go into sixth with a win and above West Ham, who aren't playing until 28 December.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

We kick today off at St. James’ Park as Newcastle host Nottingham Forest.

It wasn’t the Christmas either team would have hoped for - both sides losing two days earlier.

Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke was Scrooge for Forest, scoring a last minute winner, while Luton's Andros Townsend was Newcastle’s nightmare before Christmas.

Image source, Getty Images

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you all had a good one.

Here's what we've got in store today...

• Newcastle v Nottingham Forest (12:30 GMT)
• Sheffield Utd v Luton (15:00 GMT)
• Bournemouth v Fulham (15:00 GMT)
• Burnley v Liverpool (17:30 GMT)
• Man Utd v Aston Villa (20:00 GMT)

Image source, Getty Images

Meanwhile, the three teams at the bottom – Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton – aren’t down and out just yet.

They all still have a fighting chance, even the Blades, who have a 13% chance of staying up.

There have only been three seasons where the relegation zone has been the same on 25 December and the final day.

Nottingham Forest are teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, sitting just two points clear. A defeat today could see Luton or Burnley overtake them.

What can we read into how the table looks on Christmas day?

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal are shining at the top of the Premier League Christmas tree, but that could topple today with both Liverpool and Aston Villa – one point behind - able to replace them.

Liverpool travel to Burnley and Aston Villa are at Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, while the Gunners don’t play again until Thursday.

Arsenal shouldn't get too carried away, though. Leading the table on Christmas day may not be a good omen for Mikel Arteta's side.

They’ve been top on 25 December in 2002, 2007 and 2022 - and did not win the title on any occasion.

What can we read into how the table looks on Christmas day?