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How Do the Christmas Day Table-Toppers Fare in the Premier League?

Everton have lost just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W6 D1 L1).

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Beijing authorities put swaths of the city under lockdown, stationing armed guards on street corners and in pedestrian plazas. No further details were given about the nature of the threat or where the information came from.

How can you tune into Saturday’s Premier League action?


England call up Woakes to replace injured Anderson
Vice-captain Joe Root was absent from training with an upset stomach, but is not thought to be a doubt for the Test. The 32-year-old, who was born in Durban , also survived a near run out after dashing a single to get off the mark.

Things also look good for Manchester United and Chelsea.


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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in some parts of the country, but in others it feels more like a typical spring day. Green Christmas wins out this year with record-breaking temperatures making for a holiday that could get Heat Miser singing.

Meanwhile, England boss Roy Hodgson insists Vardy has yet to prove himself at the top level but can become an established Premier League and worldwide star.

Hiddink makes his return to the Chelsea sideline after the club began post-Mourinho life with a 3-1 win over Sunderland.

Louis van Gaal’s side have averaged just 1.22 goals per game in the league this season (22 goals in 18 games); Manchester United’s lowest average in a league campaign since 1989-90 (1.21). Aston Villa, last in the Premier League, is at home to West Ham. They’re ahead of Arsenal (1.83), Man City (1.8), West Ham (1.8) and Liverpool (1.75).

Aston Villa have won just one of their last 15 games on Boxing Day (W1 D5 L9).

Chelsea has been bleeding points from the beginning of the season and now that they have a new manager, they are in dire need of winning back-to-back games.

Eddie Howe’s side kept their third clean sheet of the season and only their second at home.

Stoke have only won once in their last four league matches – in a 2-0 win over Manchester City and they are now looking to beat another Manchester club.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea can expect a positive result on Boxing Day, according to research. Robbie Fowler brings the most gifts, with more Boxing Day goals (nine) than any other player.

Odion Ighalo is the first Watford player to score in five successive top-flight games. Against City, however, the second-place Gunners displayed enough steel to suggest they could leapfrog Leicester by the New Year.

Being second on Boxing Day virtually guarantees Champions League football the following season, too. Substitute Christian Benteke scored the only goal in the second half to claim The Reds’ first top flight win since November.

Premier League festive fixtures (3pm kick-off unless otherwise stated)… The Frenchman has an incredible win ratio of 75 per cent on Boxing Day.

According to the Daily Mail, the Liverpool legend has compared Mahrez to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi, complimenting the Algerian striker on his remarkable footwork – reminiscent of Messi’s – en route to 13 goals with seven assists through the half-way point of the season.

The French worldwide also has managed six goals from his last four matches in all competitions.

The Foxes went on to pull off the greatest escape that the Premier League has ever witnessed, finishing 14th in the league with 41 points on the board.

Arsenal is expected to take the initiative against Southampton, which is mired in a losing streak, but it’s uncertain if Manchester United can do the same.

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Kane scored with both of his two shots on target in the game. Spurs have only lost three of 20 such fixtures, though and will pose a serious threat.

Marko Arnautovic smashes Stoke 2-0 up against Manchester United