Mick in Sheffield: Re: 12.26 Non football fan here just preparing for the annual Boxing Day classic between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers...9,000 expected at Sheffield Arena for an Ice Hockey extravaganza!

Things are going pretty well for West Ham at the moment and it is unlikely a failure to beat Chelsea today will dampen their Christmas spirit.

They have not been in a higher position in the top-flight of English football on 25 December since 1985-86, when they were third in the old Division One, and have already won nine Premier League matches this season - just two less than they managed in the whole of last season.

First v fourth, title hopefuls v Champions League dreamers. It's time to get the day's action well and truly on!

Image source, AFP/GETTY

MOTD's Steve Wilson at Stamford Bridge

"In fourth place at Christmas, Sam Allardyce says his West Ham team are breaking barriers, and the timing couldn't be better - West Ham have begun the process of offering corporate packages in the Olympic Stadium where they will kick off the 2016-17 season.

"Not so long ago, this would have required a leap of faith from would-be purchasers wondering if they'd be watching Championship football in their plush padded seats; now it's not such a ludicrous stretch of the imagination to dream of Champions League games being digested along with the prawn sandwiches."

The game of the day in the Championship comes from Griffin Park as third-placed Brentford take on an Ipswich Town side that are second in the table. The match starts at 13:00 GMT and the winners will go top.

However, their spell at the summit will only last for two hours if current leaders Bournemouth beat Fulham in one of nine 15:00 GMT matches. That game will see Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter go up against brother-in-law Scott Parker, who is in the Fulham side.

Image source, Getty Images

Elsewhere, managerless Brighton take on Reading, while we may well see the first appearance of ex-England striker Emile Heskey since his return to English football at Bolton's home game against Blackburn.

Fourth-placed Middlesbrough entertain Nottingham Forest, with other play-off hopefuls Watford and Norwich are at home to Wolves and Millwall respectively. The other 13:00 GMT kick-off is at Charlton, who meet Cardiff.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Cech, Luis, Zouma, Ramires, Drogba, Mikel, Schurrle.

West Ham: Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan, Noble, Kouyate, Downing, Carroll, Valencia. Subs: Jarvis, Sakho, O'Brien, Amalfitano, Jaaskelainen, Cole, Song.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

I've often wondered what non-football fans do with their Boxing Day, and this flood of tweets and texts has only got us more excited. We share your joy out there. What better way to enjoy the holidays than a League Two away day? I can't think of one.

As it is I'll get by on turkey sandwiches in the office with 10 Premier League games to keep tabs on. Kick-off in our curtain raiser just quarter of an hour away now...

Andy in Oldham: Off to see Oldham for the last time before emigrating to Australia for the next 27 months. Come on Latics, give us a win! Since I was young...

Matthew and all the lads in Oxford: On the way to Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town. Come on you yellows!!!!! Super Danny Hylton will give us Christmas cheer!!

The crowds are flooding in at Stamford Bridge, with no signs of this forecasted snow attack just yet in west London. It's a thermals day for sure though. Wrap up warm out there.

Will in London: Off to watch Leatherhead v VCD Athletic. Come on The Tanners.

Duncan in Birmingham: Off to the mighty blues at St Andrews this afternoon against Derby with dad and brother. Boxing Day is always the only day we manage to arrange to go! Can't wait!

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League games played on Boxing Day (W5 D4).

However, their last five Boxing Day matches have seen a total of just six goals scored, since their famous 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in 2007.

The Hammers have failed to score in four of the last five Premier League games against Chelsea.

Steve Claridge
BBC Radio 5 live at Stamford Bridge

On West Ham's team selection resting Diafro Sakho and Alex Song: "It's a balance you've got to get over Christmas. I look at West Ham's squad and it's a deep squad that can offer solutions in many different scenarios in games.

"I've done this game for years and never have West Ham come here and thought they can get something out of it. I've never seen that ambition before, so I'm full of optimism for them."

John Terry is the last man out for the warm-ups at Stamford Bridge and his team-mates form an involuntary guard of honour for the skipper. It's all fun and games for footballers isn't it?

Taking the wife to Morecambe on Boxing Day? A brave, brave man there...

the white feather: Taking the wife to watch the Shrimps against the Cumbrians.

MaximCalver: My grandad is emigrating so last NCFC game at Carrow Road for a long time with him.

Andrew: Off to see the mighty Worcester City v Hednesford Town. Hoping for a 'rabona' or two!

Off to a match today? Tell us about it via #bbcfootball, external on Twitter or 81111 on text.

Image source, Getty Images

Trips to Stamford Bridge have rarely been profitable for West Ham. They last won there in the Premier League back in September 2002, beating Chelsea 3-2 but since then have lost six of eight visits, scoring just three goals.

There's no Paolo Di Canio up front for the Hammers this afternoon unfortunately - can Andy Carroll do the business for Big Sam again?

Andy: Off to watch my cousin Ben Mee playing for the mighty Burnley against Liverpool!! Hoping for a clarets win and to get home before any snow sets in!

Finian, Peterborough: Off to Chesterfield for Peterborough vs Chesterfield with my uncle, on our annual trip- The only time we can go together!

Off to a match today? Tell us about it via #bbcfootball, external on Twitter or 81111 on text.

Afternoon all. I'd wager money that I was the only recipient of a Northampton Town FC pencil on Christmas Day in fact.

Bottom at Christmas - you go down. Top at Christmas - you win the league?

Leicester will hope that first saying does not come true, but first up this Boxing Day are a side hoping to prove the second one as gospel.

Can anyone stop Chelsea this season?

Time for Tom Rostance, the proud recipient of a Northampton pencil yesterday, to take the reins on this live text.

Chelsea v West Ham is looming, 45 minutes to go...