ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE BETTING TIPS FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 26TH

Here we go everybody- one of the most important and defining sections of the Premier League season is about to get underway this weekend. The space between now and the new year's matches can be the most make or break time of the year, shaping the table and solidying where the real races are going to be come the late April and early May fixtures. United are fresh from their triumph at the semi-important Fifa World Club Championship. Luckily enough for the reds, they'll be facing Stoke City away which really must be viewed as a blessing because a harder fixture would have really increased the pressure on the team. United should emerge from this weekend with six points, I expect to see a lot of Fletchers and O'Shea's in the Stoke game with the first-choice players not being risked unless a last 15 minute rescue mission is required. Expect a full strength side to start against Middlesbrough. Liverpool face tricky ties to Bolton and Newcastle and anything less than 6 points for them, especially having (in my view) dropped 2 massive points against Arsenal, would have a negative effect on team morale. Chelsea have West Brom and Fulham, so many are expecting them to go through. I think Fulham could really give them a game, and recently it seems like you have to wait and see which Chelsea team has actually showed up to the game this time. Arsenal face the worst fixture list facing in-form Aston Villa away and then a home fixture against Portsmouth who, despite a lack of quality in recent weeks, are a tough physical team that plays a style of football Arsenal have trouble adapting too. I'm confident that at the end of the weekend, we'll see United and Chelsea in stronger positions as a two-horse emerges heading into the January transfer window. Arsenal and Liverpool must take maximum points or heads will certainly start to turn. So, onwards and upwards, here come the predictions for the first match day of the holiday season:FRIDAYAston Villa v Arsenal, 17:15: 2-1 Aston Villa pays 8/1 @ Paddy PowerChelsea v West Brom, 13:00: 2-0 to Chelsea pays 9/2 @ Paddy PowerLiverpool v Bolton, 15:00: 2-2 draw pays 19/1 @ Paddy PowerMan City v Hull, 15:00: 1-1 draw pays 11/2 @ Paddy PowerMiddlesbrough v Everton, 15:00: 1-1 draw pays 9/2 @ Paddy PowerPortsmouth v West Ham, 13:00: 2-1 West Ham pays 9/1 @ Paddy PowerStoke v Man Utd, 12:45: 3-0 to Man United pays 13/2 @ Paddy PowerSunderland v Blackburn, 15:00: 3-2 tto Blackburn pays 30/1 @ Paddy PowerTottenham v Fulham, 13:00: 2-2 draw pays 12/1 @ Paddy PowerWigan v Newcastle, 15:00: 2-1 to Newcastle pays 9/1 @ Paddy Power