As the anticipation for the festive period escalates, Premier League stalwart Alan Shearer has shared his insights on the upcoming matches scheduled for the weekend before Christmas. These fixtures follow the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-finals, promising an exciting week of football across the UK.

Among the highlights, Shearer identifies the clash between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, set to take place on Sunday, as the standout match of the weekend.

Analyzing several key encounters, Shearer provided his predictions:

– **Aston Villa vs. Manchester City:** Shearer praised Aston Villa for their formidable prowess, particularly in attacking positions, suggesting that a raucous home crowd could make the match challenging for City. He predicts a draw between the sides.

– **Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal:** Shearer acknowledges the tough test this matchup poses for Arsenal but expects them to respond positively, forecasting an away victory for the Gunners.

– **Everton vs. Chelsea:** Recognizing Chelsea’s strong form and position in the league, Shearer confidently predicts a Chelsea victory, asserting their contention in the title race.

– **Manchester United vs. Bournemouth:** Shearer feels that Bournemouth will manage to earn a point, leading him to anticipate a draw in this fixture.

– **Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool:** In what he deems a potential goal-fest, Shearer leans towards a narrow win for Liverpool, foreseeing an enthralling contest.

With Shearer’s esteemed insights, fans can look forward to an exhilarating weekend of Premier League action that will undoubtedly contribute to the festive spirit of football.

Doma United has made a significant move in preparation for the 2024-25 Nigeria National League (NNL) season by promoting four promising youngsters to their first team. The players—Umar Abubakar Abubakar, Yunusa Ibrahim Abba, Mahmoud Baba Abdruhaman, and Abdulhamid Abdulfatah—have also signed their first professional contracts with the club.

This strategic decision comes in the wake of a challenging season, as Doma United faced a mass exodus of players following their relegation to the NNL. The introduction of these talented young players signals the club’s commitment to rebuilding and fostering homegrown talent.

Doma United will commence their NNL campaign with a match against Kebbi United today. Competing in Northern Conference D, the Savannah Tigers will also face Basira FC, Adamawa United, Kada Warriors, Yobe Desert, and Sporting Supreme throughout the season.

As the club embarks on this new chapter, the integration of these young athletes could prove vital in their quest for success in the league.

In a decisive showing, Chelsea emerged victorious against Heidenheim with a 2-0 scoreline in their UEFA Conference League match held on Thursday night. The Blues demonstrated their superiority in the second half, with Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk each finding the back of the net, solidifying Chelsea’s hold on the game.

Despite a late second yellow card issued to Cesare Casadei, the match remained comfortably in Chelsea’s favor, allowing them to maintain control throughout. This win elevates Enzo Maresca’s squad to 12 points after their first four fixtures in the tournament.

Furthermore, Chelsea’s performance has secured the club a guaranteed place in European competition for 2025, with a mathematical certainty of at least a playoff spot in the Europa Conference League. As the team continues its campaign, the future looks promising for the illustrious club in European football.