31.12. (Sat) 16:00 Arsenal - QPR

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Szczesny Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen Arteta, Song, Ramsey Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

QUEENS PARK RANGERS Kenny Young, Hall, Hill, Traore Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips Mackie, Helguson

Theo Walcott could return for the Gunners after missing out against Wolves following stomach complaints. If so the England man will start alongside Robin van Persie, who needs two goals to equal Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 36 goals in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen look set to retain their places at full-back with Bacary Sagna, Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos all still sidelined.

The visitors look set to welcome back Shaun Wright-Phillips to the starting lineup, meaning Adel Taarabt could drop to the bench. Armand Traore and Jay Bothroyd will be hoping for the chance to impress against their former club.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal will be looking for only their second win against QPR in the Premier League. Their eight meetings have produced five draws and two QPR victories.

• If Arsenal score against QPR, it will be their 300th Premier League goal in London derbies.

• Van Persie (right) needs two goals to match Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 36 goals in a calendar year.

• The last meeting between the two sides was back in 2006 at Loftus Road, when Arsenal ran out comprehensive 6-0 winners in the FA Cup fourth round.

• QPR have averaged just a goal a game in the league this season, only Swansea and Wigan have worse goal ratios.

• Arsenal have failed to score more than once in each of their last four games at the Emirates.

• The Hoops have managed just one win in their last 12 visits to Arsenal.

• QPR have won only one of their 11 Premier League games this season in which their opponents have scored first.

Prediction

The Hoops have proved they are no slouches on the road this season, with three of their four league wins coming away from Loftus Road. However, the Gunners' improvement since their drumming at Old Trafford has been impressive, and they should continue their climb up the table with a victory.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 2-0 QPR

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31.12. (Sat) 16:00 Swansea - Tottenham

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

SWANSEA CITY Vorm Agustien, Monk, Williams, Richards Gower, Britton Routledge, Allen, Sinclair Graham

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Friedel Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto Parker, Sandro, Modric Van der Vaart, Bale Adebayor

Swansea welcome Tottenham to the Liberty Stadium but will need to make at least one enforced change. On-loan centre-back Steven Caulker is ineligible to play against his parent club and looks set to be replaced by Garry Monk.

Neil Taylor remains sidelined by a knee injury, whilst Angel Rangel was forced off in the 1-1 draw against QPR with an ankle injury. In his suspected absence, Kemy Agustien may be forced to fill in at right-back.

Mark Gower is expected to slot into the central midfield position Agustien would vacate to feature against the club he began his career at.

For Harry Redknapp it is a matter of keeping his first XI fit. Luka Modric and Younes Kaboul passed late fitness tests before the Norwich game whilst Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart have struggled recently with hamstring problems.

Jermain Defoe may make the bench as he recovers from a hamstring strain and it is entirely possible that Ledley King will step out in Tottenham colours following a full week's rest since the Chelsea draw last Sunday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Swansea have the third best pass completion this season (85.7 per cent), ahead of Arsenal in fourth, Spurs in fifth, and Manchester United in sixth.

• Swansea have lost just once at the Liberty Stadium this season.

• However, they have won only once in their last eight Premier League games.

• The Swans have kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League this season – only Manchester United (10) have more.

• Six of Swansea's eight clean sheets have come at home.

• Only Manchester United (23) have claimed more away points than Tottenham (19) this season.

• Tottenham are one away win away from equalling their record of seven away wins in a Premier League season.

• Gareth Bale (pictured right) will play his first club game against a Welsh side since lining up for Southampton as a 17-year-old against Cardiff in March 2007.

• Bale and Adebayor have created quite the partnership going forward. They've scored 16 league goals between them (six and nine respectively) and have assisted each other five times (four and one).

Prediction

This will be a tight game and it may resemble Tottenham's recent trip to Norwich. Swansea will have more of the ball than Norwich did and may offer more of a goal threat, but Spurs' stunning form on their travels suggests they will come away victors.

Editor's Prediction

Swansea City 1-2 Tottenham

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31.12. (Sat) 16:00 Chelsea FC - Aston Villa

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Cech Ferreira, Terry, Luiz, Cole Lampard, Meireles, Romeu Mata, Torres, Sturridge

ASTON VILLA Guzan Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock Albrighton, Clark, Petrov, N'Zogbia Agbonlahor, Heskey

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas may be forced into one defensive change against Villa, with full-back Jose Bosingwa unlikely to have recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against Fulham.

That could mean a starting berth for Paulo Ferreira and he will join a side containing Oriol Romeu, who looks to have cemented a place in midfield in the absence of Jon Obi Mikel.

With Didier Drogba's departure for the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching, the need for an understanding to be struck amongst the Blues' remaining attackers could mean they start together yet again.

For the visitors, Shay Given is unlikely to prove fit enough to feature, meaning Brad Guzan will continue to deputise in goal.

Alex McLeish will be boosted, however, by the return of Alan Hutton after the Scot served a one-match suspension for a red card.

Emile Heskey is unlikely to return from an achilles injury but reports suggest that Villa's main goal threat, Darren Bent, could overcome a thigh injury in time to feature.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This fixture has provided an incredible 24 goals in its last four incarnations, including a 3-3 draw last season.

• Chelsea have conceded 13 goals at Stamford Bridge so far this season, as many as they conceded at home in the entirety of last term.

• Chelsea have the third most potent attack in the Premier League this season, behind both Manchester clubs, having scored 22 goals.

• Blues forward Fernando Torres (pictured right) could well end the year having netted more times in the Premier League in 2011 for Liverpool (four) than Chelsea (three) despite leaving Merseyside in January.

• Aston Villa last won at Stamford Bridge in May 2002, with Peter Crouch amongst the goalscorers.

• Alex McLeish tasted success over Chelsea last season, with a 1-0 as manager of Birmingham City.

• Villa have drawn six of their nine away fixtures this season, more than any other Premier League side.

Prediction

Chelsea have drawn their last three fixtures and it is a lack of fluidity in attack along with miscommunication in defence which has combined to compound their woes.
The form of Torres is perhaps the most obvious worry for manager Villas-Boas but a defence consistently leaking goals is an equally pressing issue.
However, they face a Villa side who have scored just eight times away from home this season and, should the Chelsea defence hold against such a profligate attack, they are likely to net at least once to ensure victory.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa

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31.12. (Sat) 13:45 Man Utd. - Blackburn

Ferguson, Berbatov - Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani Rooney, Berbatov

BLACKBURN ROVERS Bunn Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Olsson Vukcevic, Dunn, N’Zonzi, Pedersen Formica Yakubu

Wayne Rooney should return to the Manchester United attack after being rested against Wigan Athletic. Dimitar Berbatov could partner him after his hat-trick against the Latics, with Javier Hernandez dropping to the bench.

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to welcome Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones back to the defence, but Jonny Evans will miss out after picking up a calf injury in the Wigan match. United’s injury list still includes the likes of Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Michael Owen, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young and Nemanja Vidic.

Martin Olsson remains a doubt but could provide a welcome boost by returning at left-back for Blackburn. Junior Hoilett picked up an injury in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool and could miss out here, while Paul Robinson is unlikely to be rushed back into action after Mark Bunn’s impressive display at Anfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will celebrate his 70th birthday on the day of the match.

• United will have thoroughly enjoyed their two matches against Rovers last season. After beating them 7-1 at home, they could only draw 1-1 at Ewood Park, but that point was enough to hand them the Premier League title.

• Dimitar Berbatov’s hat-trick on Boxing Day gives him the best goals to games ratio in the Premier League this season of any United player not named Wayne Rooney.

• Phil Jones (pictured right), if fit, will face his former club for the first time since his move to Old Trafford in the summer.

• Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last 13 Premier League fixtures, and have only two top-flight victories under their belt all season.

• Their 1-1 draw with Liverpool snapped a three-game losing run, but they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

• After 18 matches last season, Rovers had collected 22 points, double their tally so far this season, and were sat in 12th place in the Premier League.

• Blackburn have not beaten United since 2006, when they recorded a 4-3 win at Ewood Park. Morten Gamst Pedersen and Ryan Nelsen are the only players who featured that day who still remain at the club, although the latter is currently injured.

Prediction

Having dispatched Fulham and Wigan, it is difficult to see Blackburn preventing United from taking all three points here. Sir Alex’s team should stroll to a victory that will put them at least temporarily top of the Premier League, with Manchester City not due to play until New Year’s Day.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 3-0 Blackburn Rovers

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30.12. (Fri) 20:45 Liverpool - Newcastle

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL Reina Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique Maxi, Gerrard, Adam, Downing Kuyt, Carroll

NEWCASTLE UNITED Krul Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, R Taylor Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez Best, Ba

Club captain Steven Gerrard made his first appearance since October as a substitute in the Boxing Day draw with Blackburn. The Reds will be hoping their midfield talisman will be fit enough to start the match with Newcastle, particularly since he has netted six times in his career against the Magpies.

The hosts are without Luis Suarez, however, after the player was issued with a one-match ban following an improper conduct charge after the match with Fulham earlier this month. As such, all eyes will be on former Newcastle favourite Andy Carroll, who has yet to make a significant impact since joining the Reds for £35 million almost a year ago.

There are no new injury concerns for the Magpies, so they are expected to start with a similar side to that which beat Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day. Hatem Ben Arfa will be hoping to get the nod in midfield, after scoring as a substitute at the Reebok last time out.

Alan Pardew’s men are boosted by the return of Danny Guthrie from suspension, so he could feature at Anfield at some stage, but Steven Taylor, Sylvain Marveaux and Peter Lovenkrands are all still sidelined through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Liverpool have won the last three home meetings with the Magpies 3-0, the latest back in May of this year.

• The Reds will be hoping to have Steven Gerrard return to the starting XI, as he has managed six goals against the Tyneside club.

• They have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League, but have conceded in 78 per cent of their home matches and have drawn the last four.

• Former Geordie favourite Andy Carroll (pictured right) has found the net just twice in 16 games for Liverpool.

• Newcastle have not managed a league win at Anfield since 1994.

• Demba Ba has managed 14 goals in 17 appearances for Newcastle this season.

• They have scored and conceded more goals in the final 10 minutes of games this season than at any other point in a match.

• The Magpies have won every league match this season in which they have scored first.

• Both sides go into the game desperate for three points, as the home side have won only two of their last six matches while the visitors have won just once in that time.

• There have been 61 yellow cards in the previous Premier League meetings between the sides, but never a sending off.

Prediction

This is rarely a fixture which disappoints in the Premier League. With the teams only separated by a point in the table going into Friday’s encounter, this particular clash should be no different, as both sides will be looking to grab a win which could keep them in contention with the top four.
After Liverpool were frustrated by Blackburn on Boxing Day, they will be desperate to return to winning ways, and will look to Carroll to and the returning Gerrard to inspire the side in the absence of Suarez. But with Newcastle back to winning ways after their defeat of Bolton at the Reebok, this could be a tough challenge for Dalglish’s men.

Editor's Prediction

Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle United

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28.12. (Wed) 20:45 Basque Country v Tunisia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BASQUE COUNTRY Iraizoz Iraola, Amorebieta, San Jose, AurtenetxeGabilondo, Alonso Susaeta, Iturraspe, EtxebarriaToquero

TUNISIA Jeridi Ifa, Abdennour, Hichri, Chammam Korbi, Traoui Msakni, Darragi, Dhaouadi Chermiti

The Basque Country coaching duo of Jose Maria Ammorrortu and Mikel Etxarri have called up 22 players for this encounter against the visiting Carthage Eagles. The two have replaced former player Javier Iruretra in the position and are continuing the trend of relying primarily on Athletic Club players while spicing up the team with new arrivals such as Rico, Benat Etxebarria, Carlos Martinez, and Inigo Martinez.
"Tunisia is a team that plays the ball well and that instils a fast pace on the game. We watched their last three matches which confirmed that they were a competitive and very tough team to play against," said Ammorrortu while speaking to lepjb recently.
Meanwhile, Sami Trabelsi has called up a 25-man team but is not able to rely on all of his European-based players as many were unable to get clearance from their clubs to play the two friendlies against Basque Country and Catalonia this week. Thus, integral elements such as Karim Haggui, Sami Allagui, Ammar Jemal, Jemal Saihi, Sabeur Khelifa and a number of others will miss out on these initial preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
On the other hand, after having to do without them in a 1-0 loss away to Algeria, Trabelsi will be pleased to have the spinal cord of his team back, which is composed mainly of players from Caf Champions League winners and Club World Cup participants Esperance.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This is the first time that Basque Country and Tunisia will face each other in a friendly.

• This is only the fifth time that Basque Country is playing against African opposition. The previous games were against Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana and Cameroon.

• A return match in Tunis is in the works for sometime in 2013. The date still hasn't been set but there is an agreement in principle by both federations.

• There is a chance that we'll see both Msakni brothers (Iheb and Youssef) on the field together during this encounter for the first time in their national team careers.

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27.12. (Tue) 20:30 Norwich City - Tottenham

PROBABLE LINEUPS

NORWICH CITY Ruddy Martin, Barnett, Whitbread, Tierney Bennett, Hoolahan, Johnson, Pilkington Morison, Holt

TOTTENHAM FriedelWalker, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto Modric, Parker, Sandro, Bale Defoe, Adebayor

Norwich City welcome Tottenham to Carrow Road on Tuesday with the possibility of jumping up one place to eighth, but several first-team members will miss out. Ritchie De Laet, on loan from Manchester United, is doubtful for the match with a back injury while James Vaughan (knee), Elliott Ward (knee) are definitely ruled out and Kyle Naughton is ineligible as he cannot play against his parent club.
Harry Redknapp will also have to cope without a few first-teamers as Spurs hope to close the gap on United, who are currently seven points ahead in second.
Michael Dawson is out until the end of the month with an Achilles injury, while Aaron Lennon won’t be back due to a hamstring tear and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) is also still a week away from fitness.
Spurs also have a number of players doubtful as Ledley King (knee), Younes Kaboul (hamstring) and Jermain Defoe (hamstring) will have to wait for fitness tests to determine whether they are match-ready.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Norwich haven’t scored in any of their last four matches against Spurs.

• The last time Paul Lambert’s side beat Spurs was back in December 1993, in a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane.

• Norwich have scored four more headed goals than any other team in the Premier League this season with 11.

• Lambert’s team are one of only two sides yet to keep a clean sheet this term, with Blackburn Rovers being the other.

• Tottenham have won four of the last five meetings with the Canaries.

• Spurs’ last visit to Carrow Road ended in a 2-0 win for the side then managed by Martin Jol.

• Tottenham have lost just one match in their last 14.

• Spurs have only failed to win three of their last eight away matches.

• Norwich have only lost two matches at home so far this season.

Prediction

Matches involving Norwich have led to 58 goals this season and it would be a surprise if the visit of Spurs doesn’t yield more, with the London club averaging two a game this term.
Norwich’s last home match saw the Canaries put four past a then high-flying Newcastle United, but Spurs’ decent away record this season will give Redknapp’s team the upper hand as they travel to East Anglia.

Editor's Prediction

Norwich City 2-3 Tottenham

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27.12. (Tue) 16:00 Arsenal - Wolves

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ARSENAL Szczesny Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen Arteta, Ramsey, Song Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

WOLVES Hennessey Zubar, Johnson, Berra, Ward Hammill, Hunt, Henry, Milias, Jarvis Fletcher

Johan Djourou looks set to miss out on a return to the team following his injury against Manchester City with Arsene Wenger citing that he had “a little chance” of making the game, so Francis Coquelin could reprise his role as a stand-in at right-back. Wenger also confirmed that Kieran Gibbs would be out for a further month after undergoing surgery on his hernia injury, so Laurent Koscielny should continue his role at left-back.
The French boss has hinted that he may rest Robin van Persie over the festive period but it seems likely he will figure.
Wolves have three players who could possibly return from injury in Jody Craddock, David Edwards and Kevin Foley after they all played a part in a behind-closed-doors friendly. They will probably take a 4-5-1 formation as they did against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Robin van Persie has scored 34 Premier League goals in the calendar year of 2011, two goals off the record set by Alan Shearer.

• Arsenal have only lost one Premier League game at the Emirates this season, against Liverpool in their opening home match of the season.

• Wolves have won only four Premier League games this season, drawing three and losing 10.

• Wolves have lost six of their eight away games in the league this season.

• This game was due to take place on Boxing Day but was pushed back 24 hours because of a transport strike.

Prediction

Don’t expect the Gunners to be worried too much by Wolves’ attack, and with Van Persie set to play it’s difficult to look past a dominant home win for Arsenal.

Editor's Prediction

Arsenal 3-0 Wolves

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26.12. (Mon) 16:00 Man Utd. - Wigan Athletic

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani Rooney, Hernandez

WIGAN ATHLETIC Al-Habsi Figueroa, Alcaraz, Caldwell Stam, McCarthy, Diame, Jones Moses, Gomez, Sammon

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has to make do without several players due to injury. Anderson (knee), Tom Cleverley (ankle), Rio Ferdinand (foot), Darren Fletcher (illness), Michael Owen (thigh) and Nemanja Vidic (knee) are all sidelined.

Ashley Young also joins the list of those missing, after he was stretchered off during the 5-0 victory over Fulham. Darron Gibson is also a doubt for the Lactics visit, yet Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Phil Jones has recovered from a facial injury sustained at Craven Cottage in time for the Boxing Day clash.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez does not have a lengthy injury list to deal with, as Emmerson Boyce and Chris Kirkland (both back) are the only two players in his squad who are unavailable through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester United have lost only one game in the Premier League this season, which came in the 6-1 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.

• The Red Devils have won every game they have played against the Latics throughout the course of their history. This accounts for 13 victories, 12 of which came in the Premier League. The other was the 4-0 League Cup final victory in 2006.

• During this time, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have put 41 goals past this opposition, conceding only four in the process.

• Wigan have scored only six goals away from home in the Premier League this season. Only Fulham have hit the back of the net fewer times on their travels.

• In all top-flight games this season, the visitors have scored only 15 goals. No team has scored fewer.

• The Latics have lost only one of their last six league games, a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at the DW Stadium, but still lie in the relegation zone.

Prediction

Despite problems in defence, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have enough in their locker to get a positive result against the Latics, particularly on home turf.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 3-0 Wigan Athletic

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26.12. (Mon) 16:00 West Bromwich Albion - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WEST BROM Foster Jones, Olsson, McAuley, Shorey Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Thomas Long, Odemwingie

MANCHESTER CITY   Hart Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Nasri, Barry, Toure Aguero, Balotelli, Silva

West Brom will have to contend without Steven Reid after the defender picked up an injury against Newcastle and Billy Jones will be expected to slot straight into the right-back position. Somen Tchoyi will return to the squad after having time off to spend time with his wife and newborn child. Man City rotated the squad for their win over Stoke and will be expected to change it up once more when they travel to The Hawthorns. Micah Richards, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Dzeko are Mancini’s main injury worries though the club's quality in depth should see them through with Zabaleta, Clichy and Balotelli all expected to come in.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time the two sides met at The Hawthorns, Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners with Mario Balotelli scoring both for the visitors.

• West Brom have enjoyed better success away from home this season with four of their six wins all coming away from the Hawthorns.

• In the last 10 meetings between the sides West Brom have won five to Man City’s three.

• In past meetings between the two sides in the Premier League, there has never been a red card.

• West Brom have never been awarded a penalty against Man City in the Premier League whilst City have had three against the Baggies.

• West Brom will be looking to make it three consecutive Premier League wins with a victory over Man City following successes over Newcastle and Blackburn.

• Man City are the top scorers in the Premier League this season having not failed to find the back of the net in a single game.

• Aston Villa winger Mark Albrighton scored the Premier League’s 20,000 goal against Arsenal in their last game, pipping Man City’s Sergio Aguero to the accolade by just 90 seconds.

• Adam Johnson has started just 11 games for Man City this season but has scored 6 times whilst also picking up five assists.

Prediction

West Brom are in good form right now but you just can’t see past the Premier League leaders at this moment. Roberto Mancini has options in abundance and in this busy Christmas period he will have a fresher squad than his counterpart Roy Hodgson.

Editor's Prediction

West Brom 1-3 Manchester City

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