Premier League Boxing Day duels: Palace, Hammers, Spurs feature

Holly Thackeray | December 22, 2015

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

Cherries can pick a point off Palace

South coast side Bournemouth are now unbeaten in five fixtures, including three wins on the trot, so will fancy their chances at Dean Court in their first post-Christmas Premier League match versus Palace.

With both clubs in-form, and the Eagles also undefeated in four, a draw looks like punters’ most profitable result, with odds of 23/10 for this encounter to end evenly.

Alan Pardew’s away team will likely wield wingers Wilfried Zaha (10/3 to net anytime) and Yannick Bolasie (11/4) from their armory, with frontman Connor Wickham available in a match special (max stake £20) to strike anytime and Palace to win. Alternatively, the Cherries boast plenty of potency themselves, with Glenn Murray 6/1 to grab the final goal and wideman Matt Ritchie 4/1 to fire in anytime.

Aston Villa v West Ham United

Hammers to deliver Villa blow

West Ham have the perfect opportunity to turn their mini blip of bad form around, away to Premier League punching bags Aston Villa, and are a tempting 2/1 to pinch three points.

The Irons have drawn a blank in their past three games, while the Villans have not fared much better, so don’t expect this duel to provide goals galore. Remi Garde’s guys have not won a game in any competition since September, however, and West Ham’s luck must soon change.

Something has to give and the Hammers may be missing key men, but still offer threat in the form of last scorer Mauro Zarate (13/2 to score first) and energetic Enner Valencia (6/4 to net anytime). Though, if you feel like hedging your bets, Coral are offering a match special (max stake £20) at 11/8 for either team to win to nil.

Tottenham v Norwich City

Spurs to cage Canaries

Norwich may have scalped Manchester United last time out, but Spurs are a different beast, particularly on home soil, where they are priced as odds-on 2/5 favourites.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men sank Southampton last time out, with heroic duo Dele Alli (10/3 for another goal anytime) and Harry Kane finding the net yet again. England international Kane should provide the spark again here, and is a fantastic 4/1 to bag a brace or better in a match special (also max stake £20).

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

Baggies can take advantage of Welsh strife

The Baggies and Swans have won three of their last six scuffles apiece, but as the Welsh hosts remain rudderless, staunch West Brom may be the better bet at 14/5 for victory.

How surprising Swansea’s fall has been, in a spectacular collapse that does not look set to end yet. The Swans have now slipped into the bottom three so look short at 21/20 for a home win, with a new permanent manager seeming still a way off. A draw is also on offer at 11/5 and would not be a bad result for either side.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Bournemouth at 23/10 to draw with Crystal Palace.