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Just getting pictures in from a very foggy Selhurst Park. Crossfield passes may be off the menu today. Keep it short, keep it visible...

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

Statistics show that if a team are bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day they are odds on to be relegated.

However, just three years ago Sunderland were 20th on 25 December and escaped the drop. As everyone acknowledges, top scorer Jermain Defoe will be key to Sunderland's chances in 2017, and it must worry fans that only three Black Cats players have scored in the league this season.

Watford were ruthless against Everton last weekend, and with Troy Deeney poised to return to the starting XI they'll be confident of repeating last season's victory at the Stadium of Light.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

Seth Ball: You better watch out, you better beware, good with his feet and good in the air -Santa Cruz is coming to town!

Image source, Rex Features

How do you stop the Premier League's top scorer Diego Costa?

Alan Pardew thinks he might have the answer, and that answer might be Damien Delaney, who has recently won his place back in the Crystal Palace side.

"We've always had great admiration for Costa," said Pardew.

"We won there last year and Delaney had one of his best games for me against Costa that day, and he's going to have to do a repeat performance because the guy is at the top of his game.

"We had Zlatan Ibrahimovic the other night, Costa this weekend, so my centre-halves will have had a real test and that's what's great about the Premier League."

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

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Earlier in the season, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka spoke about "our league",, external by which he meant the importance of games against the other teams set to battle it out near the bottom.

Well, Middlesbrough have beaten the only other two teams currently below them, so if they can complete the set by winning this one then their boss can enjoy a 'Feliz Navidad'., external

Bob Bradley's hopes of a 'Happy Holidays' are arguably even MORE dependent on results, with this the first of four key matches for his Swans over the festive period.

Their first priority must surely be not losing this one, whilst Boro will only be happy with a win.

BBC Radio 5 live

Mark Chapman presents build-up to the Premier League's early kick-off between Crystal Palace and Chelsea from 12:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 live.

There is full commentary from Selhurst Park before reaction and team news from all the 15:00 GMT games.

At 15:00 GMT, there is full commentary of Stoke City against Leicester City.

Image source, rex

Image source, Getty Images

Giles: Nigel Winterburn

Thomas Ryan: I always think of former Stoke City player 'Gift on Noël' Williams around this time of year.

Great shout Thomas. We're asking for the most festive footballer names at your club. Can anyone beat this?

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

West Ham's form has not been great but they got a home win against Burnley in midweek after their draw at Liverpool, so should be feeling somewhat buoyant.

I keep tipping Hull to lose - the problem for them is that most of the time I am right.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

I don't think Watford will be as defensive as they were in their defeat by Manchester City on Wednesday.

Similarly, Sunderland will set up completely differently to the way they were when they lost to leaders Chelsea on the same evening.

It should be quite an open game, and I am going to go with Sunderland to nick it.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

Swansea have conceded 12 goals in their past four games but still picked up six points, which is a bit crazy. It tells you a lot about what they are like at the moment - in the top flight, only Hull have a worse defence.

Middlesbrough's issues are at the other end of the pitch and, having been at their win over Hull last week, I have seen how reluctant they are to commit players forward.  

Image source, .

It's tough down at the bottom, and anyone who thought Sunderland were in the midst of a resurgence just a week or so again has seen the Black Cats plummet back to earth.

A home win against Watford this afternoon is starting to look crucial for David Moyes and co, while Hull travel to West Ham and Swansea go to Boro in a must-not-lose game for both.

BBC Radio 5 live

There will be two live commentaries today on BBC Radio 5 live.

First up at 12:30 GMT is the Premier League leaders Chelsea's trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace, with commentary from John Murray and former Premier League striker John Hartson.

Afterwards, Ian Dennis and former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin will bring you commentary of Stoke City v Leicester City at 15:00 GMT.

And before all of that Mark Chapman kicks off today's show at 12:00 GMT to look ahead to all of the matches.

You can listen to it all at the top of this page.

Image source, Rex Features

Today marks the first anniversary of Chelsea ending Jose Mourinho's second spell at the club.

Mourinho was given his marching orders on 17 December 2015 - seven months after leading the Blues to the Premier League title.

So what's changed? Chelsea were 16th in the table at the time, one point above the relegation zone. Now they're six points clear at the top under Antonio Conte.

As for the former "Special One", he is now getting his kicks at Manchester United, who start the weekend 13 points behind behind Conte's pace setters.   

Image source, Rex Features

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

Leicester have picked up only one point in eight games on the road this season but I don't believe they can continue to be as bad as they have been away from home.

Stoke are a solid mid-table side but, as daft as this seems, I fancy Leicester here. I backed them to beat Manchester City last weekend, and I am going to back them again.

Has anyone at your club got a name which can top this?

Let us know on text (81111) or on twitter (#bbcfootball).

Image source, Rex Features

Another week, another managerial change in the Championship. The dismissal of the immensely popular Gary Rowett at Birmingham City, however, must be one of the most bizarre sackings of the season.

The Blues are one point off a play-off spot after winning four of the last six matches. That, however, does not appear to be good enough for Birmingham's Chinese owners, who have replaced Rowett with Gianfranco Zola.

Zola's first match in charge is at home to second-placed Brighton (17:30 GMT), managed by Chris Hughton, who led Blues to the Championship play-offs in his one season in charge in 2011-12.

All set for a quiet afternoon at St Andrew's, then.

Image source, .

Six of the last seven teams to top the Premier League table at Christmas have gone on to win the title that season. Will 2017 be Chelsea's year?

They are guaranteed to be top next Sunday no matter what.

What are the 10 best Christmas movies? It's impossible to say, but Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb gave it a shot anyway.   

I'll be honest, I had grave doubts about this list. But I'm happy with his choice...

  Tell Ali where he's wrong, via #R1Watchlist.