The main Boxing Day shock was found at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea and Villa played out a Christmas cracker, a whopping 86% of you went for a home win. Unfortunately for you Gareth Barry scored from the penalty spot in injury time to ruin your festive fun but not for the 11% who went for the draw.

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The Latics have won their only 2 previous home League meetings against Newcastle and another 3 points would certainly make Steve Bruce’s Christmas dinner sit nicely this year. The Toon struggled on Sunday against the League whipping boys Derby and that would have given Wigan a huge confidence boost ahead of this match.

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The Royals travel to Upton Park determined to avenge their 3-0 home defeat earlier this season. However, Steve Coppell’s men have not won away all season and have kept just 1 clean-sheet in their last 15 matches. West Ham’s England hopeful Dean Ashton will fancy his chances against a defence, which has conceded more goals away from home than any side outside the bottom 3.

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The Ramos revolution is starting to take shape at White Hart Lane regardless of the much publicised injury list. Spurs were incredibly unfortunate not to pick up at least a point at the Emirates on Saturday and if Robbie Keane had not fluffed his penalty they could have even had 3 points against the old enemy. It was not meant to be but they will be relishing a home match against struggling Fulham to further climb the table. The Cottagers are in a similar position to Spurs in terms of spending a lot of money in the summer and yet replacing their manager mid-season. The front runners for the position seem to be old boy John Collins or Croatia coach Slaven Bilic.

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Sir Alex Ferguson comes face to face with Roy Keane on Boxing Day aiming to push his young protégé further into the relegation mire. Well that’s gratitude for you, after all Keane did help United plunder 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and a Champions League trophy in 12 happy years together.

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The Gunners have recovered from their temporary North-East blip in form to win back to back home London derbies. Now it’s back on the road to Fratton Park for Wenger’s young guns but this is not a fixture Arsenal will fear. Portsmouth may have been in sensational away form this season but at home they have not scored for 4 matches. This barren run comes surprisingly after a 7-4 home win against Reading, it’s a funny old game.

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It is safe to say that the bruising battering ram that is Bolton are back after 3 straight home wins but their away form will be a major concern for Gary Megson. The Trotters have yet to win an away League match this season and have gained just 2 points from a possible 24 available on their travels. Goodison Park is not the venue to end this barren run I’m afraid Gary.

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Few would have expected Derby to get a point at St James’ Park on Sunday but with a bit of luck the Rams could have gone back to Pride Park with all three. Unfortunately Derby don’t get a chance to play against sides with Newcastle’s defensive frailties every week and certainly Liverpool don’t fall into that category. Despite conceding in the last 3 matches, the Reds have an excellent defensive record, especially away from Anfield where they boast the meanest defence in the Premier League.

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Martin O’Neill’s Villa side have not managed a win in the whole of December so the last place most Premier League sides would want to go aiming for 3 points is fortress Stamford Bridge. After all Chelsea have not been beaten there in the League for 71 games, in fact home season ticket holders have not seen a defeat at the Bridge since February 2004. To add some festive flavour, if the Blues remain unbeaten on Boxing Day, they will have spent 4 Christmases unbeaten at the Bridge, not bad eh!

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Boro’s mini revival ended at home to West Ham on Saturday and up next is a trip to St Andrew’s where Middlesbrough have won just once in 29 years. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Gareth Southgate, Boro have won the last 3 meetings between these sides including a 3-0 win on their last visit to the Blues.

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