BOXING DAY: ENGLISH FOOTBALL TIPS

BOXING DAY is a punters' paradise and it would be wonderful if we could get bookies to foot our festive bills.

One side who should bring us some Christmas cheer are Chelsea who travel to Norwich after hitting 13 goals in one and half games.

They followed a 5-1 rout of Leeds last Wednesday by hammering eight past Aston Villa on Sunday to dispel any thoughts of fatigue following their World Club visit to Japan.

Rafael Benitez will never be accepted by the Chelsea faithful but the players seem happy to do the business for him, especially Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard isn't yet back to his scintillating best but his opener against Villa took his season's tally to a respectable 14. He is 5-1 at BetVictor and Coral to score first against the Canaries and 11-8 at BetVictor to notch at any time.

Chelsea look decent value at 4-5 with BetVictor but it's worth noting Norwich have lost just one of their last 11 and beat Man United at home earlier in the season.

Leaders Man United don't have to worry about Chelsea in the title race – but they do need to be concerned about their defence.

United clean sheets are as rare as a sunny day in Lancashire and Newcastle will expect to net when they visit Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side, admittedly with defensive injury worries all season, have conceded 25 goals in the Premier League – 12 more than stuffy Stoke.

Luckily for Ferguson he has the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez to counter the leaks at the back and his side usually outscore the opposition. I expect United to win but they are no value at a best 1-4 (various).

Man City were incredibly lucky to beat Reading at the weekend with a last-gasp disputed Gareth Barry header.

However, the result closed the gap on United to four points and they head to Sunderland in good spirits.

Martin O'Neill's men have eased fears about the gaffer's future with back-to-back wins against Reading and Southampton but I don't fancy them against the champions.

Steven Fletcher fired the only goal at Southampton and his side rely on him too much. City,
4-7 at BetVictor and Coral, can take care of the Scotland striker and hopefully nick something at the other end.

Everton managed just fine without Marouane Fellaini at West Ham and should have just enough to see off Wigan at Goodison.

I'd like to have better odds than 8-15 with BetVictor on the Toffees so the bet I'm taking is Leighton Baines at 9-2 at Blue Square to net at any time.

The England defender is in great form and netted against his former club at the DW Stadium earlier in the season. To score first Baines is 14-1 (various).

It's been a normal season for Fulham – winning at home, losing away. They are 20-23 with BetVictor to continue that trend by sinking Southampton.

Reading still have just one win this season but showed good battling qualities to frustrate Man City for so long on Saturday. However, their fragile defence may find it harder to keep Swansea at bay.

Michael Laudrup's men have notched recent successes at Arsenal and Newcastle and are 6-4 (various) for more glory on the road.

Villa had been on recovery mode until the 8-0 disaster at Stamford Bridge. Spurs will be looking at the highlights and rubbing their hands at the prospect of scoring a hatful if the mistakes are completed.

I reckon Paul Lambert's men will step it up but still fancy Spurs, 6-5 at Coral and William Hill, to find some gaps. Back them and look at Jermain Defoe to score at any time at 8-5 with Betfred.

Stoke have arguably the bet defence in the Premier League with just three goals conceded this season. They held Liverpool 0-0 at Anfield and another blank is possible.

Consider no scorer at 8-1 with Blue Square or boylesports and certainly look at under two goals at 8-11 with Betfred in what could be a low-scoring draw.

Recommendations

Chelsea
(4-5, BetVictor)

Defoe to score
(8-5, Betfred)

Baines to score
(9-2, Blue Square)

Swansea
(6-4, various)

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