And we're off!

Here they come...

Bournemouth have lost 18 of their last 19 Premier League games in which they were behind at half-time (D1).

Image source, Reuters

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Carlo Ancellotti will attract players because of who he is. He’s probably looked at the challenge and seen a new stadium, good kitty and thought why not? I think he’s a good manager.

Karen Carney
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

As a player you’re thinking if we’re bringing in this type of manager, we’re going to go places. He’s a top, top manager. He will be a big pull for players, the current players are going to have to be on their toes. The owner is really pushing for them to get in the top four and I think he’s the guy to do it.

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

Watford have certainly had their 'new manager bounce' since Nigel Pearson's appointment. A pretty good performance - albeit in defeat - at Anfield was followed by a deserved win over Manchester United and a point at in-form Sheffield United, which moved the Hornets off the bottom of the table.

Villa earned some vital points of their own with victory over Norwich, which Jack Grealish said felt like they'd won a cup.

But they travel to Vicarage Road for another crunch game with the worst away record in the division and no clean sheets on the road this season.

Dean Smith reckons Grealish "thrives on pressure" and there will be plenty of that on both sides in this one.

Errr, something about rolling subs?

Rich: All this talk about how players can't play two matches in two days. Ice hockey players do it all the time, including the play-offs where the intensity is as much or more of the premier league.

Steven Reid
Former Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Brighton have had control of the first-half. You're still a little bit uneasy with them though. They will be going in a little bit disappointed it's only 1-0.

Bournemouth can't get much worse than that, they've created very little.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Steve Bruce is a very good manager, he wants his players to enjoy their football. He is gradually, if not already 100%, he's winning people over. He's turned this club around.

Let's be honest, no-one thought Newcastle would be in a comfortable position at this time of the year.

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

Both these teams recorded hugely important victories on Boxing Day, with Southampton's 2-0 win at Chelsea probably the result of the day.

The Saints are certainly turning their season around after the humiliating defeat by Leicester in October, taking 12 points from their past six fixtures.

I was at Selhurst Park for Match of the Day to see Jordan Ayew's magnificent late Crystal Palace goal to defeat West Ham. Injuries are mounting up though, with Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt the latest to be ruled out, so the Palace team almost picks itself for this match.

Danny Ings should return to the Southampton starting line-up for what could be a fascinating encounter.

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator

While the mood had already improved during Duncan Ferguson's temporary reign, Carlo Ancelotti's formation tweak quickly served to enhance it further.

The three centre backs prevented Burnley having a single attempt on target, while Djibril Sidibe produced a match-winning display, having been deployed at wing-back.

Newcastle have been operating in a similar shape and haven't lost at home since August.

Everton will arrive on their longest unbeaten run of the season but they boast just one away win in 12. If Ancelotti can find their next at St James' Park, that really would be a statement!

Newcastle United v Everton (15:00 GMT)

Southampton v Crystal Palace (15:00 GMT)

Watford v Aston Villa (15:00 GMT)

Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur (17:30 GMT)

West Ham United v Leicester City (17:30 GMT)

Burnley v Manchester United (19:45 GMT)

Half time then! Brighton well on top in the early stages, Bournemouth had their moments but didn't really test Mat Ryan.

Callum Wilson time, surely.

The Temple of Doom is just starting now on BBC One but to be honest this is worth sticking with. Neal Maupay's smart movement gets him in behind the Bournemouth defence but he has to really try a first-time shot from all of 22 yards and he can't get a true connection on it.

Lovely! Dom Solanke unlocks Brighton with a peach of a through-ball into Jack Stacey's run, he tries to clip it to the back stick and it almost goes straight in. Big chance, a better cross would have found Josh King as well.

Junior Stanislas now has a shot deflected into the hands of Mat Ryan as Bournemouth continue their surge. Need to make this pressure count though as we tick towards half time.

Steven Reid
Former Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Aaron Mooy is still pulling the strings for Brighton. Bournemouth actually look most dangerous when Brighton have the ball and they can counter on them.

Rodney Marshall: PL clubs moaning about two games in three days. That's why they have enormous squads. Fourth tier clubs don't moan about it, and they don't have the same luxury of massive squads. Just get on with it!

Lewis Dunk then does well to clear a cross from Josh King, Bournemouth now looking dangerous all of a sudden. Brighton the better side but there's something in this for the visitors for sure...