MOTD's Martin Fisher at the Stadium of Light

"Steve Bruce will have happy memories of facing one of his former clubs last season. Hull City completed a hat-trick of victories over Sunderland, including an emphatic 3-0 success in the FA Cup.

"However, since that quarter-final triumph, the Tigers' form has been absolutely dreadful. They've mustered just four wins in 27 Premier League matches, losing a staggering 15 along the way.

"Only two of those wins have come this season, just one since the opening day, so it's no major surprise that they find themselves in the relegation zone and two points adrift of safety at Christmas."

MOTD's Guy Mowbray at Old Trafford

"There aren't many certainties in football, but Manchester United winning on Boxing Day comes close. The Red Devils have won their last ten games on 26 December, and in 22 years of the Premier League have lost just once.

"What were you doing on Boxing Day in 2002? Well, Louis van Gaal was nearing the end of his second spell in charge of Barcelona whilst Alan Pardew was carving out an impressive reputation in his first management job at Reading.

"Me? I was at the Riverside Stadium to see Middlesbrough beat Manchester United 3-1 with goals from Szilard Nemeth, Alen Boksic and Joseph-Desire Job. Those names don't half take you back."

Leicester last won a league match 97 days ago. Since that victory, Tottenham have claimed 20 points compared to Leicester's two (both from 12 games).

MOTD's John Motson at the King Power

"Leicester will spend Christmas at the bottom of the Premier League and history tells us that only twice have teams who filled that unwanted position at this time of year survived come the end of the campaign - West Brom a decade ago, and Sunderland 12 months ago.

"For me, if Leicester are to join that elite group, and not actually become marooned, they need some points over the Christmas period - but with their game against Tottenham followed by away trips to Hull and Liverpool, it's not an ideal programme."

Roberto Martinez has never been on the losing side as a coach against Stoke City (W3 D7 L0).

In contrast, Mark Hughes has won just two of his 16 Premier League games as a coach against his former club Everton.

MOTD's Alistair Mann at Goodison Park

"A year ago, fourth-placed Everton were above Chelsea on goal difference and just two behind leaders Liverpool as the Christmas festivities loomed.

"They'd lost only once in the league all season; a record only bettered across Europe by the likes of Bayern Munich and Roma. This time around, the Toffees have already tasted defeat on six occasions.

"Equally surprising is the number of goals they have been conceding. A year ago it was 16 in their first 17 league games, it's now 27. They have let in 14 at Goodison Park, the worst defensive home record in the division."

Southampton have won the last five league games against Crystal Palace without the Eagles finding the net. In fact, Palace have never beaten Southampton in the Premier League.

Tough task ahead for Neil Warnock's side?

MOTD's Dan O'Hagan at Selhurst Park

"You won't catch me at the Boxing Day sales, in fact I can think of few better places to be than watching Premier League football at Selhurst Park. Raucous and passionate, Palace fans create an atmosphere as good as at any ground in the country. Mind you, they've not quite had the home record to cheer this season that they managed last campaign.

"Palace would have fancied their chances against Ronald Koeman's Saints before Saturday. Southampton's win over Everton drew a line under a run of five successive defeats - four in the league, and a timid League Cup exit at Sheffield United.

"Away from St Mary's, Saints' approach hasn't exactly been to go marching in - something the goals for and against column bears out."

MOTD's Steve Bower at Turf Moor

"If you were compiling a Christmas report, it would make for better reading from a Burnley point of view than their Boxing Day opponents.

"Most had tipped the Clarets to be cut adrift at the bottom by now, while Liverpool certainly don't enter the festive fixtures in the position they expected to be in.

"Brendan Rodgers has rightly taken confidence from his team's last two performances against Bournemouth and Arsenal, but they are small steps."

On the evidence of the first half of the season, you could argue that Chelsea are a distance ahead of Manchester City - with a then huge, gaping chasm between the top two and the rest. Or do you disagree?

While you prepare your arguments, here's what's due at 15:00...

Michal Koziol: Chelsea look like Barcelona during Guardiola's reign. Absolute domination.

Tim Whatmough: Nice game of attack v defence at Stamford Bridge. Surely just a question of how many Chelsea score?

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Stamford Bridge

"I'm looking at the West Ham fans and I don't see anyone clapping from their end as they've just been outplayed. It's no disgrace to come here and lose, but they've not had a shot on target yet or shown any intent."

A sensational half hour of football from Ipswich Town in the Championship. They are tearing Brentford apart. The Bees are third in the table, and are now 3-0 behind after only 30 minutes.

Former Bees winger Jay Tabb's cross is finished off by Paul Anderson, who scores the third from close range after two goals from Daryl Murphy.

Half time. Chelsea should be weighed and paid by now.

Image source, Getty Images

There is a huge gulf between these sides. The fact that there is only one goal will not please Jose Mourinho. Now then, is that a penalty? Branislav Ivanovic goes down inside the area - nothing given! Andy Carroll puts a hand across the defender but is furious with how easily the Serbian goes to ground.

No penalty, no booking...

Image source, AFP/GETTY

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Stamford Bridge

"I thought West Ham would show a willingness and a belief to get after Chelsea here, but Chelsea have just shown the difference between the top two and everyone else. If Chelsea do get pegged back in this game, they'll be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of the chances they've created so far, as it's only 1-0."

He should score! Wonderful play from Chelsea as they keep the ball at will, backing nine West Ham players back into their own penalty area, so crowded, where's the space? Eden Hazard finds it, slipping one man before freeing Branislav Ivanovic on the overlap. He looks up, finds Diego Costa with the cutback but Costa slams over the top. Deserved better.

It is all going wrong for the hosts at Griffin Park. Brentford fall 2-0 behind inside the first 25 minutes in their home game against Ipswich Town.

Murphy scored inside the opening 20 seconds and has done so again on 21 minutes. Jonathan Parr hit a ball over the top, which Murphy raced on to, he got clear of the home defence, rounded goalkeeper David Button and slotted into the net. Mick McCarthy's side are going top of the league.

More good play from Diego Costa, too big and too strong for two defenders and then digging in a shot which deflects off the ankles of James Collins and spins just wide. More havoc from the corner too as Chelsea win two headers before Adrian claims a high ball. The camera cuts to a disconsolate Big Sam, rocking back in his seat, shoes on the seat in front of him.

"We were @$#* miles away from him!" he fumes under his breath.

The fans at Stamford Bridge share Steve Claridge's appreciation of Diego Costa, booming his name from the stands after he leaves one on Winston Reid.