Football news: Who looks best for the Boxing Day battles?
With so much focus on transfer rumours ahead of the January window, it can be tricky to remember that there are also some great games ahead before the year is out. So with so much to play for on Boxing Day, which teams will be the most likely to come out on top?
West Brom vs. Man City
West Brom will want to make the most of their home advantage the day after Christmas Day, but with Mancini's men looking to continue their fantastic season, it could perhaps be a bit too much to ask of them. There's little doubt The Hawthorns will be a hive of activity, but we think the spoils will surely go to the visitors.
Liverpool vs. Blackburn
Kenny Dalglish's boys have been chasing down teams at the top for weeks now and will not want to give up anything at such an important point in the season. Blackburn, on the other hand, are having to deal with reports of financial troubles and a very disappointing set of results - this should go Liverpool's way.
Man United vs. Wigan
If Roberto Martinez is taking Wigan Athletic up to Old Trafford hoping for a festive favour from Sir Alex Ferguson, he will probably be wasting his time. The Red Devils are notoriously dangerous in the second half of the season and won't want to give neighbours Manchester City any breathing room.
Chelsea vs. Fulham
An early West London derby will be a great way to wake up the capital on Boxing Day, with Andre Villas Boas looking to continue Chelsea's run of form at home to struggling Fulham. The away side desperately need the points, but you can't help but see The Cottagers going home empty-handed from Stamford Bridge.
Bolton vs. Newcastle
With Bolton floundering at the bottom of the table and Newcastle having a better season than many would have predicted in summer, this might be a bit of an easy one to call. Bolton Boss Owen Coyle has been fighting off talk of the sack for a while now, but he'll be more focused on the advances of a Newcastle side looking to stabilise their recent form. If it isn't a draw, expect it to go the way of The Toon.
Arsenal vs. Wolves
The Gunners may not be many people's first choice for title contenders in a Premiership that seems so Manchester-centric at the moment, but as we all know, the Christmas period can see things change pretty quickly. Arsene Wenger will look to keep these hopes alive and it seems unlikely Wolves will have the firepower to stop them.
Sunderland vs. Everton
Sunderland may have been given a shot in the arm with a new manager in Martin O'Neill, but they have some very tough games ahead of this clash with Everton, including away games at Tottenham and QPR. The Toffees haven't had it easy either, but this could be their day.
West Brom vs. Man City
Man City saw their unbeaten run snatched away by Chelsea in December, but don't think for a minute that Mancini's superstars will be resting on their laurels or letting anything slip away on fixtures like this. West Brom will relish the home advantage, but this has to be three points for City.
Stoke City vs. Aston Villa
This mid-table battle could be one of the best Premier league fixtures of the day, with Stoke City manager Tony Pulis and Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish both battling it out for points in the same space. Villa had their first away win of the season this month against Bolton, but won't expect Stoke to be as easy. This could be a draw, but expect a couple of goals.
West Brom vs. Man City
West Brom will want to make the most of their home advantage the day after Christmas Day, but with Mancini's men looking to continue their fantastic season, it could perhaps be a bit too much to ask of them. There's little doubt The Hawthorns will be a hive of activity, but we think the spoils will surely go to the visitors.
Liverpool vs. Blackburn
Kenny Dalglish's boys have been chasing down teams at the top for weeks now and will not want to give up anything at such an important point in the season. Blackburn, on the other hand, are having to deal with reports of financial troubles and a very disappointing set of results - this should go Liverpool's way.
Man United vs. Wigan
If Roberto Martinez is taking Wigan Athletic up to Old Trafford hoping for a festive favour from Sir Alex Ferguson, he will probably be wasting his time. The Red Devils are notoriously dangerous in the second half of the season and won't want to give neighbours Manchester City any breathing room.
Chelsea vs. Fulham
An early West London derby will be a great way to wake up the capital on Boxing Day, with Andre Villas Boas looking to continue Chelsea's run of form at home to struggling Fulham. The away side desperately need the points, but you can't help but see The Cottagers going home empty-handed from Stamford Bridge.
Bolton vs. Newcastle
With Bolton floundering at the bottom of the table and Newcastle having a better season than many would have predicted in summer, this might be a bit of an easy one to call. Bolton Boss Owen Coyle has been fighting off talk of the sack for a while now, but he'll be more focused on the advances of a Newcastle side looking to stabilise their recent form. If it isn't a draw, expect it to go the way of The Toon.
Arsenal vs. Wolves
The Gunners may not be many people's first choice for title contenders in a Premiership that seems so Manchester-centric at the moment, but as we all know, the Christmas period can see things change pretty quickly. Arsene Wenger will look to keep these hopes alive and it seems unlikely Wolves will have the firepower to stop them.
Sunderland vs. Everton
Sunderland may have been given a shot in the arm with a new manager in Martin O'Neill, but they have some very tough games ahead of this clash with Everton, including away games at Tottenham and QPR. The Toffees haven't had it easy either, but this could be their day.
West Brom vs. Man City
Man City saw their unbeaten run snatched away by Chelsea in December, but don't think for a minute that Mancini's superstars will be resting on their laurels or letting anything slip away on fixtures like this. West Brom will relish the home advantage, but this has to be three points for City.
Stoke City vs. Aston Villa
This mid-table battle could be one of the best Premier league fixtures of the day, with Stoke City manager Tony Pulis and Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish both battling it out for points in the same space. Villa had their first away win of the season this month against Bolton, but won't expect Stoke to be as easy. This could be a draw, but expect a couple of goals.
