December could be a pivotal month for Everton’s Premier League ambitions by Gary McCarty 6 November, 2024 Everton’s 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town last weekend put some much-needed daylight between themselves and the relegation zone. With a relatively favourable run of fixtures ahead of them, the Toffees could head into the final month of the year safely embedded in the middle of the Premier League table. However, punters considering using a 100 deposit bonus promotion to back them to secure a top half finish would be well advised to study their December games before wagering. It would be fair to say that the schedule is fraught with danger and could leave Everton looking nervously over their shoulders when 2025 arrives. Everton fixtures – December 2024 Manchester United vs Everton – December 1 Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – December 4 Everton vs Liverpool – December 7 Arsenal vs Everton – December 14 Everton vs Chelsea – December 22 Manchester City vs Everton – December 26 Everton vs Nottingham Forest – December 29 Everton handed a tricky run to end the year Everton manager Sean Dyche will be desperate to have a full squad at his disposal for what promises to be a testing run of fixtures in the Premier League. The Toffees kick off December with a visit to Manchester United and their recent record in this fixture does not paint a pretty picture. Everton’s last win at Old Trafford was a 1-0 victory in December 2013 and you would be hard-pushed to tip them to end that streak this time around. The Red Devils have defeated Everton in their last five meetings in all competitions and will fancy their chances of enhancing that record at the start of December. Everton are back in action a few days later when Wolverhampton Wanderers head to Goodison Park for a midweek fixture. Wolves have struggled during the early part of the season, but are unbeaten in their last six outings against the Toffees and could prove to be troublesome. Everton have home advantage again on December 7 against Liverpool and they will be desperate to get one over their local rivals. Dyche’s side triumphed 2-0 when the teams last met at Goodison in April and a repeat of that performance would be a timely boost ahead of more tough fixtures. A trip to Arsenal awaits the Toffees on December 14 and they will need to produce a top performance if they are to upset the odds. Everton’s record at the Emirates Stadium is disappointing and it would be a major surprise if they managed to take anything from the game. Everton round off the month with games against Chelsea (H), Manchester City (A) and Nottingham Forest (H), none of which will be easy. Chelsea have their sights set on qualifying for the Champions League, while Man City are chasing their fifth Premier League title in a row. Forest have been in decent form during the early part of the season and will present a tough challenge in the final game of the year. Only the most optimistic Everton fan will look at the December fixtures and predict the month will be a hugely productive one. Home victories over Wolves and Forest are imperative, and anything else they can collect from the other five fixtures would be gratefully received. If Everton can put more points on the board in the run up to December, there would unquestionably be much less pressure on their shoulders. Anything between eight to ten points would be a solid enough return in December and keep the Toffees clear of the strugglers towards the foot of the standings.