Bournemouth are the first to threaten in this one as Antoine Semenyo feeds the ball to David Brooks in space but his attempt to curl the ball into the far corner doesn't come off.

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

I said West Ham needed to make a good start here.

They haven't, conceding inside five minutes.

A drubbing could be on the cards here.

Image source, Reuters

Daniel Gabbidon
Former Premier League defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at Amex Stadium

I don't think Brighton have been in great form of late and Sunderland like to play defensively solid. So it has that feel that it could be 0-0, but let's hope that not the case,

Wolves' first attack of the day sees Hwang Hee-Chan cross from the left flank in search of strike partner Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Brentford clear the danger.

Manchester City threaten an early goal as Erling Haaland tries a square ball across the penalty box but it's tidied up by West Ham's defence.

Good work by Brajan Gruda earns Brighton the first corner of the game. Twenty-one players are packed inside the Sunderland penalty area and the set-piece falls nicely for Mats Wieffer whose header forces Robin Roefs into a decent save.

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

West Ham have got to be a threat and hit well on the counter attack.

I am not quite sure of their set up in terms of how Paquetá and Summerville will work up front but they need to be threatening whenever they are given the opportunity.

A first sighting of Brentford's long throw routine, but Wolves defender Ladislav Krejcí is fouled in the box the hosts get a free-kick.

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

West Ham have lost 15 of their last 16 Premier League away games against Manchester City.

Needless to say, it is imperative they make a good start here.

Ruben Dias takes an early whack from Lucas Paqueta, who would have been the defender's team-mate had his move to Manchester come off a few seasons ago.

Off we go in Manchester, Brighton, Wolverhampton and Bournemouth.

Blue santa hats fill one end of the AMEX, red Santa hats on display at the other.

But which set of fans will be celebrating the Christmas gift of three points at full-time - Brighton or Sunderland?

Image source, Getty Images

A James Milner appreciation post.

The Brighton player, who turns 40 in two weeks, starts this game on the bench.

If he comes on it will be his 647th Premier League appearance and will leave him six away from equalling Gareth Barry's all-time record of 653.

Milner made his debut aged 16 for Leeds in 2002.

Since then he's won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, two League Cups, one Uefa Super Cup and one Fifa Club World Cup.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter at Molineux

Is today the day for Wolves?

Fail to beat Brentford and they will equal the Premier League's longest winless start [17] - currently set by Sheffield United in 2020-21.

Wolves have not won in the top flight since a 3-0 win over Leicester on 26 April, 238 days ago, but boss Rob Edwards believes they are improving.

The coaching staff are positive and feel the players are getting fitter and more confident on the ball - but that needs to materialise on the pitch and turn into wins with Wolves 14 points from 17th place.

Improved performances are not translating into points for West Ham, who are third bottom in the table after going five matches without a win.

They have drawn all three away games during that run but suffered a second successive home defeat last Sunday, against Aston Villa. It was the first time in nine years that West Ham had twice taken the lead in a league fixture and still lost.

They have also dropped points recently away to Bournemouth, having been 2-0 up, and Brighton, when they conceded a controversial stoppage-time equaliser.

"Games have been slipping through our hands," bemoaned head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who has gone 22 Premier League matches without a clean sheet – 11 apiece with West Ham and Nottingham Forest. "We cannot get anxious, so there is a mental aspect to our players we are trying to improve."

Phil Foden has 13 goals and five assists in 2025-26, already surpassing last season's tally of 15 goal involvements. Still only 25, he is only two shy of a century of Premier League goals or assists.

His return to form after a difficult 2024-25 campaign has come while playing in a deeper midfield role, which gives him greater influence in building City's attacks. This season, 77% of Foden's playing time has been spent in central midfield – in contrast to 24% last season.

More than a third of his touches so far have come in City's defensive half, the highest proportion of his career – with a comparison of his touch maps for this season and last illustrating his change of position.

Image source, Opta

Brentford

Brentford's form has tailed off after an encouraging start to the season, with just one win in five Premier League games since the November international break.

By conceding a late equaliser to Leeds last weekend, the Bees have dropped 13 points from winning positions in the Premier League this term, more than any other side.

Keith Andrews will hope his side can bounce back from Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Wolves

Today Wolves play at Molineux for the final time in 2025 - it's fair to say it's been a year to forget.

Wolves fans last saw a home league win on 26 April, when they defeated Leicester 3-0.

They have not won any of the 10 home games since.

In 2025 Wolves have played 18 Premier League games at home, winning four, drawing three and losing 11.