There were plenty of interesting stats throughout 2017 and we've piled the best ones into one piece here.

Among them, it highlights which clubs picked up the most points each month - with Bournemouth coming out on top alongside Liverpool in March.

Cherries' defender Adam Smith made 93 tackles in 2017 - only six players in the Premier League have made more than him.

Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan also had an impressive save percentage at 72.22, which was only bettered by David de Gea, Hugo Lloris and Nick Pope.

Thomas: 2018 Football Resolution - To give refs a fair chance and not be so hard on them. Don't see that lasting beyond today.

We want your footballing new year's resolutions, let us know what you're vowing to do differently in 2018 at #bbcfootball or on 81111.

Image source, BBC Sport

The Brighton CEO, Paul Barber, has hit back at the transfer rumours linking certain players with the club.

Is he talking about Celtic’s Moussa Dembele?

Brighton fans might have been heading into 2018 full of optimism after their impressive start to life in the Premier League, but they've been warned not to expect any late Christmas presents in the January transfer window...

Image source, @lcfc

Another transfer finally completed today...

Midfielder Adrien Silva has finally joined Leicester City, after the Premier League club missed the deadline to sign him in August by 14 seconds.

Fifa rejected the 28-year-old's move from Sporting Lisbon in the summer as the paperwork arrived too late.

The Portugal international has been training with Leicester throughout the winter to maintain his fitness.

His £22m deal was completed on New year's Day, but he is not eligible for the Foxes' home match against Huddersfield.

Image source, BBC Sport

Both teams had decent performances last time out. Brighton took a good point at Newcastle in a game in which not a lot happened, while Bournemouth were value for their win over Everton. Eddie Howe's side managed 18 shots, seven on target, against the Toffees.

After three league defeats on the bounce - against Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City - the Cherries have picked up four points from their past two games to move out of the bottom three. Brighton don't score many at home, but have a habit of picking up a point to keep the motor ticking over.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1.

We've had a few problems with the predictor this morning, but it's up and running again now so get in there sharpish...

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live at Amex Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Three years ago yesterday Chris Hughton was appointed as the manager of Brighton. At the time they were 21st in the Championship, one place above the relegation zone.

The same day Bournemouth were sitting top of the same league and ended up winning the title that year. It’s been a great journey for both clubs but fast forward to today, and Brighton sit 12th, two points and two places above their south coast visitors.

I’m not sure any Brighton fan would have expected that when Chris Hughton took over. I’m not sure Chris Hughton would have predicted that.

We have commentary on 5 Live with Alistair Bruce-Ball and Chris Sutton. We speak to the man instrumental in giving Hughton the job, Brighton Chief Executive, Paul Barber at 12:05 GMT.

And here are those full line-ups for you... the first of 2018.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Brighton make three changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Newcastle on Saturday.

Ezequiel Schelotto, Jose Izquierdo and Markus Suttner all come into the side, in place of Bruno, Gaetan Bong and Solly March.

Eddie Howe makes four changes to the Bournemouth team that beat Everton 2-1, with Charlie Daniels, Benik Afobe, Harry Arter and Marc Pugh all returning to the starting XI.

Image source, Getty Images

And one you've probably already forgotten about... Diego Costa is now an Atletico Madrid player again.

That deal was agreed back in September, but the La Liga side could not register the former Chelsea man until 1 January - when their transfer ban was lifted.

Costa won two Premier League titles and the League Cup with the Blues, but found himself exiled at Stamford Bridge last summer.

Image source, Reuters

That's right, Virgil van Dijk is now officially a Liverpool player after the Reds paid Southampton £75m for the Netherlands international - a world record fee for a defender.

He's picked the number 4, and will go with the name "Virgil" on the back of his shirt, so not to confuse the Dutchman with all the other Van Dijks playing in the Premier League...

Van Dijk will not be registered in time to play against Burnley later today.

In a seamless link to other Liverpool transfer/shirt sales news, you can now bag yourself a Philippe Coutinho Barcelona jersey... despite the Brazilian remaining very much a Liverpool player at the minute.

Barcelona kit manufacturers Nike advertised the club's shirts with Coutinho's name on the back.

A listing, which has since been deleted, on the Nike website read: "Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou."

Hmmm...

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

Of course, 1 January means a new transfer window creaking its way open with a month-long gossip fest to follow.

Will your club delve into the market to find a new striker? Will you get the players needed to aid your bid for survival/Europe/the title? Will Premier League clubs' inflated spending continue at the staggering summer 2017 rate?

The answer to that last question, it seems, is already a resounding "yes"...

We'll have the line-ups for the early game for you in about 15 minutes, but a bit of team news to be aware of beforehand...

Brighton are without Steve Sidwell, who remains sidelined due to a long-standing back injury.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be without Joshua King, who suffered another hamstring injury against Everton at the weekend.

Adam Smith and Nathan Ake face fitness tests, whilst Jermain Defoe and Junior Stanislas are among a lengthy list of absentees for the Cherries.

Right, as it's New Year's Day and all that, we want you to fill our feeds with tales of footballing New Year's resolutions - new year, new you, right?

Will you be cutting down on the half-time pies? Vowing not to throw the remote control around the room when your side concede a late goal? Setting your stall out to watch every single World Cup game?

Let us know at #bbcfootball or on text via 81111.

But enough with 2017, that was so last year.

As a plucky teenager and flamboyant doctor once said, let's get back to the future and have a look at what's coming up...

• 12:30 GMT: Brighton v Bournemouth
• 15:00: Burnley v Liverpool
• Leicester v Huddersfield
• Stoke v Newcastle
• 17:30: Everton v Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Before you were all Auld Lang Syne-ing your way around your in-law's living room, there was some 2017 Premier League action to wrap up on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace were the side to end Manchester City's record 18-game Premier League winning streak, holding the leaders to a goalless draw and missing a chance to snatch all three points when Ederson saved Luka Milivojevic's injury-time penalty.

In Sunday's late game, another controversial penalty call decided the outcome as Jay Rodriguez netted from the spot following Calum Chambers' handball to earn West Brom a share of the points against Arsenal.

A James McClean own goal had put the Gunners in front six minutes earlier, with Alex Sanchez's free-kick deflecting off the Baggies midfielder to beat goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Image source, Getty Images

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping your 2018 is filled with good health, happiness, and most importantly... football.

We've got you sorted from start to finish today, so make it your first resolution to grab a cuppa, put your feet up and stay glued to our BBC Sport coverage.

To kick us off, a south-coast derby between Brighton and Bournemouth (and one last chance to use some festive snaps)...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ho ho hope you enjoy it...