Arsenal vs Ipswich live updates: Premier League predictions, team ...

It was always going to be a tough return to the Premier League for Ipswich, but they have been competitive so far.

Yes, they are in the relegation zone but they are within arm's reach of safety and are by no means cut adrift. Victory today, however unlikely, would move them level on points with Wolves in 17th.

If you'd have told Arsenal fans at the start of the season that Manchester City would be outside the European places at this stage of the season, I'm sure they'd have been very exciting,

The issue, though, is that Mikel Arteta's side have been a long way from their best in the first half of the campaign. As you can see, they are already nine points adrift of the Premier League leaders.

If they want any chance of finishing above Liverpool, Arsenal are probably going to have to be flawless from here on out.

The annual Boxing Day fair of Premier League did not disappoint.

Manchester City's woes continued while things also got worse for bottom-half teams Tottenham and Manchester United.

In the late evening slot, Liverpool stretched their lead atop the Premier League to seven points.

After eight fixtures yesterday, just two more today as matchday 18 in the Premier League concludes.

Brighton and Brentford meet on the south coast three quarters of an hour before this one gets underway.

7:30pm GMT

8:15pm GMT

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While we don't want you to stray too far from this live blog, we understand you might also want to tune in to the action live on TV.

In which case, here is how you can do it:

Emirates Stadium, London

We're at Casa Emirates for today's fixture.

The modern, new-look stadium (opened in 2006) holds a precise 60,704 people when full, and you can expect it to be there or thereabouts today, given the appetite for festive football in the UK is always high.

And what better way to continue the seasonal cheer than with three points?

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Athletic.

We hope you have enjoyed a happy festive period and, the day after the traditional tranche of Boxing Day fixtures on December 26, the Premier League's 18th matchweek concludes with two matches today.

The one we're covering today is Arsenal vs Ipswich Town, two teams at opposite ends of the table who will both be desperate to secure three points today, one way or another.

It promises plenty of tension and drama — so settle down with your gingerbread coffees and leftover turkey sandwiches and let us take you through it

We've got it from here.