What happens at Christmas stays at Christmas is the general trend for Premier League positions, especially regarding the bottom of the table. Only West Brom have been bottom at Christmas and survived so Coyle and Kean know how important their upcoming 'six pointer' is. Similar can be said for the top and fights for the Title and the Champions League places may well be decided in the coming games. The festive period is crucial in every season; four games in the space of 17 days can make or break a season. The first of those games as important as the last, like in a major tournament, it is imperative not to lose your first game.
Wolves v Norwich:
Mick McCarthy's side sit one point and one place above the relegation zone and take on a Norwich side where a win will put them closer to the Champions League places than the bottom three. Norwich find themselves in a similar position to Blackpool did last year but look like a ready made Premier League side. Prediction: Wolves win! But only providing they keep Holt and Morrison quiet - defence will be key to Wolves' success.
Blackburn v Bolton:
The game Owen Coyle described "the whole world will be watching" is one which, as I alluded to earlier, may determine the fate of one of these two clubs. Prediction: Draw! Won't particularly help either club but will mean, as history suggests, Bolton will be relegated and Blackburn could follow suit. Although admittedly a cold Tuesday night in Blackburn doesn't sound great this match, as Sky are describing, has all the ingredients to be somewhat of a 'Christmas Cracker.'
Aston Villa v Arsenal:
Following Super Sunday defeats for both sides the importance of this match immediately increases. Villa Park is an extremely tough place to go, especially for the top clubs, as the fans love the chance of an upset. McLeish will always be under pressure as Villa boss; the fans see him as a "blue nose" when they lose but a hero when they win. He'll be hoping he is seen as a hero over Christmas. Prediction: Draw! Villa are always one to take points off the top teams and expect that trend to continue for years to come.
Man City v Stoke:
Two of the in form sides come face to face at the Etihad on Wednesday, yet use completely contrasting playing styles; the fluent and dominant City versus the long direct Stoke. What they do have in common is their physical presence on the pitch; Huth, Walters and Crouch against Kompany, Yaya Toure and Balotelli should prove to be one of City's biggest threats this season. Prediction: Man City! Just... should be a tight game!
Newcastle v West Brom:
Newcastle have suffered a slight blip of late, and will want to get back to their form from the start of the season. Whereas West Brom will want to keep up the form that has taken them within the top half of the table. Prediction: Newcastle! Coloccini is back from injury and should help Newcastle get back to form.
Swansea v Everton:
Swansea have been passing established Premier League sides off the park since their introduction to the top flight (just ask Wolves) and will look to do similar to one of the most established clubs around! Prediction: Everton! If they do win they will jump above Swansea in the table and look to consolidating a top half finish.
Fulham v Man United:
United travel to West London for the second time in four days, and will want to pick up their second win keeping up the pressure on Man City. Fulham, however, will also hope for a second win on the bounce, and that Bryan Ruiz can continue his good form and score another high quality 'lob.' Ruiz looks a real talent and if the flair continues expect a big club like Man United to be in for him. Prediction: Draw! And maybe even a Ruiz special?
QPR v Sunderland:
Martin O'Neil's Sunderland are still struggling for goals and are still making a lot of chances. Even with a managerial change you can't create a proven goalscorer without the transfer window - Pavlyuchenko, the man who consigned them to defeat on Sunday, would be an unbelievable yet realistic signing. Thankfully for O'Neil the window is not far away, and nor, if reports are to be believed, is Gyan from returning from loan. QPR will too be delving in to the transfer market but will hope some good results over the festive period will help attract some big names. Prediction: Sunderland win! They have looked good all season but maybe someone can step up and score for the Black Cats
Wigan v Liverpool:
Wigan have had some surprising results in recent weeks and despite having a squad which would struggle to make the top half in the Championship, Roberto Martinez has continued to keep Wigan alive and kicking in the Premier League this season. Liverpool have hit the woodwork the most times this season and will hope it doesn't prove to be their undoing in what may be an uncomfortable night in the North West. Prediction: Liverpool! Grit and determination needed, ought to be installed in the players with a Scot in charge.
Spurs v Chelsea:
A crunch game to say the least, people forget that this is a derby, after Arsenal v Spurs, the biggest London derby possible. Like most derbies, Religion has its role to play but it will be even bigger if both these teams continue to succeed... I barely need to tell you what a win can do for these two - 'Title' springs to mind. Prediction: Chelsea! I went draw when they played City, and was wrong so I've got to back the blues this time - big game players may be the difference
We will know who is almost certain to go down after this week of games but also we will know who is to join the list of Brian Deane, Chris Sutton, Les Ferdinand and Moritz Volz. These names make up the list of 1st, 5,000th, 10,000th and 15,000th goal scorer respectively in the Premier League. And soon we will know who is to join the list by scoring the 20,000th Premier League goal!
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