Best First Goalscorer Picks for Premier League Gameweek 18

The Premier League’s traditional Boxing Day schedule looks quite different to previous years.

Nick Woltemade has hit form again. / Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty Images

Gameweek 18 marks the penultimate round of fixtures in the first half of the 2025–26 Premier League, and also the division’s traditional ‘Boxing Day’ games.

That said, only one of the nine scheduled matches is actually taking place on 26 December.

Below are the Sports Illustrated picks for first goalscorer in each Premier League game in week 17.

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Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

After his brace against Chelsea at the weekend, Manchester United’s leaky backline had better watch out for Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade. The towering German can easily make defences feel uncomfortable with his physicality and deadly finishing.

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Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City

Can anyone stop Erling Haaland? / Visionhaus/Getty Images

Two more last time out mean that Erling Haaland has now scored an even higher proportion of Manchester City’s Premier League goals this season than before gameweek 17.

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Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Viktor Gyökeres was back at the races from the penalty spot as Arsenal beat Everton last time out, breaking the deadlock with what turned out to be the only goal of that game.

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Brentford vs. Bournemouth

It’s been four Premier League games without a goal for Brentford striker Igor Thiago. However, playing the percentages suggest that he’s due after scoring 11 in his first 13 appearances of the season.

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Burnley vs. Everton

Goals haven’t come all that easily for Everton since the November international, often waiting until the second half until finding the net. By that stage of games, Beto is usually off the bench and could capitalise against a Burnley side likely to be ground down.

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Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Hugo Ekitiké cannot stop scoring right now. / Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images

The injury to Alexander Isak has only strengthened the grip that Hugo Ekitiké has on Liverpool’s starting No. 9 position. The Frenchman opened the scoring for the third game running when the Reds beat Spurs on Saturday.

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West Ham United vs. Fulham

Jarrod Bowen has hit form in recent games, netting in two out of his last three outings after not previously scoring in the Premier League since September. As a team, West Ham will fancy their chances in this East vs. West London derby.

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Chelsea vs. Aston Villa

Cole Palmer is regaining fitness and that makes him dangerous. The Chelsea talisman managed 78 minutes against Newcastle at the weekend, his most in a single game since September. When he’s on it, the Englishman can score a goal out of nothing.

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Sunderland vs. Leeds United

Into the first of Sunday, December 28’s kick offs, and Wilson Isiodor is the one to watch as Sunderland host Leeds United in a fixture that was last played in the Premier League in 2002.

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Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur

It hasn’t been a happy few weeks for Crystal Palace, yet Jean-Philippe Mateta at Selhurst Park spells enough danger for a visiting Spurs side for them to be worried.

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