RECAP: Football In-Play Betting Blog: Premier League & EFL

Relive everything that happened today - and what a day it was!

• Live scores
• Live League Tables
• Live Sky Bet Markets, odds and Price Boosts

1725 Goodnight

Thank you as always for being with us today for another action packed and dramatic day of football. Boxing Day really did deliver a late Christmas treat.

We hope our blog kept you informed on all the day's key matches, but also helped with your in play betting.

Our Match Companion Football Blog will be back with you on Saturday from 1pm.

In the meantime please keep visiting Sporting Life daily for the latest Premier League and EFL news and opinion. Ahead of the weekend we'll also have our latest tips and previews for the big games.

1720 🎆 BETTING SUCCESS

So before we sign off for the night, let's review our betting success.

In our previews we successfully tipped:

Tottenham's Heung-min Son and Gylfi Sigurdsson to both score - and they did

We tipped Paul Pogba to score and Manchester United to win. Both happened and Pogba actually smashed two.

We backed Conor Hourihane to score for Aston Villa at 5/1

And if all that was not good enough, we also tipped Sheffield United’s Oliver Norwood to be carded at 4/1!

Sadly the ACCA didn't come in, as Lincoln lost at Crewe, but you cannot have everything!

1715 Watford v Chelsea - 1930 KO

Click the image to read our full preview of the 7.30pm Premier League kick off

1710 Brighton v Arsenal

Next up is Brighton v Arsenal. Brighton are looking to repeat last season's win over theGunners at the Amex, while Arsenal can go four points behind Manchester City with victory. That's getting underway now

We are tipping Most corners taken: Arsenal on -1 handicap at 21/20

With plenty of chances expected for the visiting side, set pieces could be crucial. Brighton have taken the second-fewest corners in the Premier League this season while Arsenal average around six per game. Backing Arsenal to take more is heavily odds on, so this on a -1 handicap looks like great value.

1704 📈 TABLE MOVERS

Premier League

What a Christmas it's been for Liverpool so far. They are now six points clear at the top after winning today and Manchester City lost again. Tottenham are now second by a point.

As it stands, Chelsea and Arsenal are still yet to play.

Huddersfield Town are now the Premier League's bottom club, after Fulham earned a point today. Burnley are on 12 points, 3 from safety after being thumped by Everton.

Championship

In the Sky Bet Championship, Leeds United's late win extends their lead at the top to three points. WBA close the gap on second place Norwich to three points.

Sheffield United, Middlesborough and Derby have the other play off places.

Forest are now 10th, after throwing away a 3-0 lead at Norwich to draw.

Ipswich are rooted to the bottom after another heavy loss, Reading and Bolton are also in the relegation zone. However Phil Parkinson's side are now only a point from safety after beating fourth bottom Rotherham.

1700 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Norwich 3-3 Forest - Hernandez

WHAT!!! From 3-0 down to 3-3, Norwich get the leveller in the 98th minute. They'll still lose ground on top spot Leeds, but this will still feel a great result

Norwich level in the 98th minute - Leeds won their game in the 94th!

⌛️ FULL TIME

So here come the full time scores, we'll update the tables and preview the late kick offs soon, so don't do anywhere.

PREMIER LEAGUE

Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Burnley 1-5 Everton

Crystal Palace 0-0 Cardiff City

Leicester City 2-1 Manchester City

Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle United

Manchester United 3-1 Huddersfield Town

Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 AFC Bournemouth

Sky Bet Championship

Birmingham 2-0 Stoke

Bolton 2-1 Rotherham

Bristol City 1-1 Brentford

Leeds 3-2 Blackburn

Middlesborough 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Millwall 1-0 Reading

Norwich 3-3 Forest

Preston 1-2 Hull

QPR 3-0 Ipswich

Sheffield United 1-0 Derby

Swansea 0-1 Aston Villa

WBA 2-0 Wigan

⌛️ FULL TIME - Man City Lose again

Leicester City 2-1 Manchester City

Leicester beat Chelsea and now Manchester City - while it's back to back losses for Pep's side!!

Tottenham 5-0 Bournemouth

Spurs are now second on goal difference!

1652 MORE DRAMA AT ELLAND ROAD

Roofe's just got his second and Leeds have gone from 2-1 down to 3-2 ahead!!!

The scoring has gone - 90; 91; 94 and Leeds have won this 3-2 and extend their lead at the top at Norwich lose

1650 🔴 RED CARD

Terrible first game for new boss Gomez at Reading. Losing and now down to 9 men!

1649 DRAMA AT ELLAND ROAD

Wow, what a few minutes. Blackburn take a shock 2-1 lead.

But then Leeds go right down the other end and an goal mouth scramble sees three amazing saves, but then the ref's watch buzzes and states the ball did cross the line on the fourth save and it's 2-2

1647 🔴 RED CARD

Delph is sent off for Manchester City, for a terrible challenge. Can't be an arguments for this one. City down to 10 men and 2-1 down at Leicester

1645 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Manchester United 3-1 Huddersfield - Jorgensen

One back for the visitors

Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle - Fabinho

What a great day this is turning out to be for the leaders

Sheffield United 3-1 Derby

Clarke has surely earned a huge win for the Blades in this promotion battle

1644 📸 ACTION SHOT

1641 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Still no goals at Selhurst Park, but Palace have hit the post and the crossbar in this one. They've had 14 shots in total!!!

There are five minutes plus injury time left and the draw is now 1/5, with no goals to be scored at 1/6. Palace to win is 7/2 and to score net 7/2 too

Check out the Sky Bet market here

1639 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Leicester City 2-1 Manchester City - Pereira

8 minutes left and are the Champions going to suffer back to back defeats as Pereira scores a humdinger for the Foxes

Norwich 0-3 Nottingham Forest

Forest are showing their belief they can still go up automatically, Norwich are showing those defensive flaws.

1638 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Leeds have dominated the second half against Blackburn and they can capitalise on Norwich, who are losing at home to Nottingham Forest.

The Whites can be backed to score the game’s next goal at 6/4 with Sky Bet, which looks a decent shout

Back it here

1636 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Manchester United 3-0 Huddersfield - Pogba

The Frenchman has his second!

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle - Shaqiri

Shaqiri wraps up a big Boxing Day win for the Premier League leaders

QPR 3-0 Ipswich

Wells makes it three to continue QPR's superby rise under Steve MaClean

1635 📸 ACTION SHOT

1634 🎆 BETTING SUCCESS

Heung-min Son and Gylfi Sigurdsson scored in the first half, much to our delight, and now Paul Pogba has found the back of the net for Manchester United!

George Pitts backed the French midfielder in a score-and-win double, so as it stands that is three winners for our Premier League tips. The last of our recommended bets is Patrick van Aanholt to score anytime for Palace. Come on Paddy!

1630 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Tottenham 5-0 Bournemouth - Son

Son has his second of the day. Oh boy, Spurs are going to miss him next month when he goes on International duty.

Burnley 1-4 Everton - Digne

Digne has his second and Burnley are in real, real trouble now . of they weren't already. Dyche looked so mad at half time, but his team talk has not worked

WBA 2-0 Wigan

Rodriguez gets his second

Norwich 0-2 Forest

It's been a bad, bad Boxing Day for Norwich, 2-0 down after Robinson bangs in a goal mouth scramble from a Lolley free kick and with WBA winning they are only just holding onto second place

1625 WOW - What a crowd

There are 40,000 at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland v Bradford City in Sky Bet League One

That's more than watching Spurs v Bournemouth at Wembley!!!!

Sunderland lead 1-0.

1622 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Manchester United 2-0 Huddersfield - Pogba

It just had to be Pogba didn't it. We tipped him prematch to score - we hope you took our advice! We had him to score and Man Utd to win at 2/1

Tottenham 4-0 Bournemouth - Kane

Who else but Harry Kane

Sheffield United 2-1 Derby

What a game at Bramell Lane and the Bladed retake the lead through McGoldrick

Swansea 0-1 Aston Villa

Hourihane puts the visitors ahead as they look to bounce back from that dramatic loss to Leeds. Swansea's inconstancy is ongoing.

Bolton 2-1 Rotherham

O'Neil gets his first goal for the club to put Bolton back ahead.

1618 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Manchester City are applying the pressure at the King Power Stadium. They are up to 70% possession now and four shots on target.

Harry McGuire has just been yellowed for Leicester, so he has to be careful

Manchester City to win 2-1 is now 9/4

A red card to be shown is 6/1

1616 📸 ACTION SHOT

1614 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Bournemouth are still 3-0 down at Wembley, however they are having a go at trying to get back in it. They should have just a had penalty and have fired in five shots on target.

They are 15/8 to score the game's next goal

1611 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Sheffield United 1-1 Derby

How good is Wilson and how good is he at set pieces?! He's scored another beauty to put Derby level

Preston 1-1 Hull

Browne levels up for the home side. That was needed, as it puts Hull back below them in the table

Bristol City 1-1 Brentford

Who else but the Sky Bet Championship's leading goal scorer - Neal Maupey levels up for the visitors and it was a superb strike.

1606 📸 ACTION SHOT

1603 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Early in the second half and it's the tale of two penalties..

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle - Salah Pen

Salah hadn't scored in his last two home games - how rubbish is that?! But now he has.

Leeds United 1-1 Blackburn - Mulgrew Pen

The Sky Bet Championship leaders have been pegged back, as Ayling slide in blindly and wildly and a clear pen

1600 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Paul Pogba had three shots in the first half, two of them on target, and you can back the French midfielder to score the game's next goal at 11/2...

Click here for more Man United v Huddersfield odds, Price Boosts and RequestABets

Meanwhile Bobby Reid to score in 90 minutes for Cardiff at Palace is 8/1. He's had two shots so far, as part of the visitors' four in total.

1559 📊 STAT TIME

1557 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

So let's get some advice churned out...

Spurs youngster Kyle Walker-Peters has assisted all three of the hosts’ goals this afternoon, trying his luck on goal once.

You can back the full-back to score the game’s next goal at 50/1…

Click here for more in-play Tottenham v Bournemouth odds, Price Boosts and RequestABets

1555 ⚽️ SL ACCA UPDATE

So how are we doing with our Sporting Life ACCA on this festive day? We've backed Bristol City, Oxford, Lincoln and Grimsby to win....

• Bristol City 1-0 Brentford
• Oxford 0-0 Southend
• Crewe 0-0 Lincoln
• Port Vale 0-0 Grimsby

1550 📈 AS IT STANDS

We'll bring you some of our in play betting advice and price boosts for the second half shortly, in the meantime this is what these half time scores mean in the bigger picture.

PREMIER LEAGUE

With Liverpool winning and Manchester City drawing, Klopp's side are now six points clear at the top. Spurs, leading 3-0, would be joint second with City - in third on GD.

Huddersfield are bottom by a point from Fulham, who drew 1-1 with Wolves at lunch time.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Norwich conceded in injury time to trail at home to Forest. It was a silly goal too as they tried to play in their own box and gave the ball away. With Leeds winning, it now mean Norwich are four points off the leaders, and just two ahead of WBA, who are winning 1-0.

1546 ⏳ HALF TIME

PREMIER LEAGUE

Burnley 1-3 Everton

Crystal Palace 0-0 Cardiff City

Leicester City 1-1 Manchester City

Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle United

Manchester United 1-0 Huddersfield Town

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 AFC Bournemouth

Sky Bet Championship

Birmingham 1-0 Stoke

Bolton 1-1 Rotherham

Bristol City 1-0 Brentford

Leeds 1-0 Blackburn

Middlesborough 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Millwall 1-0 Reading (down to 10 men)

Norwich 0-1 Forest

Preston 0-1 Hull

QPR 2-0 Ipswich

Sheffield United 1-0 Derby

Swansea 0-0 Aston Villa

WBA 1-0 Wigan

1544 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

At Turf Moor as well as goals we've seen plenty of tackles. 13 fouls so far, with Everton committing 7 of them. Three yellow cards for Sigurdsson, Gomes and Lowton.

Over 62.5 Booking points is now 11/10; ver 82.5 booking points is 14/1 with Sky Bet.

1543 📊 STAT TIME

1541 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Bolton 1-1 Rotherham

What did we just say - Bolton cannot hold onto a lead to save their lives - literally! Cross into the box and Vaulks heads home

Sheffield United 1-0 Derby

In a big battle between two promotion hopefuls who else but Billy Sharp to open the scoring.

1540 📸 ACTION SHOT

1535 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Tottenham 3-0 Bournemouth - Moura

Spurs are flying here and Bournemouth's attempts to beat their hosts for the first time ever have already gone. Bournemouth are yet to win a Premier League game on Boxing Day

Burnley 1-3 Everton - Gibson

Gibson on his full Premier League debut pulls one back for Burnley. Still plenty of time for a big comeback.

Bolton 1-0 Rotherham

Huge goal for Bolton in a relegation six pointer, as Ameobi, so key to Bolton's survival hopes bangs the home side ahead. But be warned Bolton have lead in a good few games recently only to surrender it later.

1529 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Leeds United 1-0 Blackburn

The league leaders have won their last 6 games and now on course for 7 in a row, as an own goal from Williams - under little pressure - puts Leeds ahead.

QPR 2-0 Ipswich - Wszolek & Lynch

Wells shoots from far out and the keeper can only parries it out, when he should have held it, and Wszolek taps it in. Then centre back Lynch adds a second just minutes later

Preston 0-1 Hull

Hull's excellent form continues under Nigel Adkins, as Irvine strikes

1531 🎆 DOUBLE BETTING SUCCESS

In the space of two minutes, two of our anytime Premier League tips have landed.

First, Tom Carnduff’s recommendation to back Gylfi Sigurdsson to score anytime against Burnley and secondly George Pitts’ goalscorer tip on Heung-min Son.

They were available at a best price of 3/1 and 6/4 respectively – and they were also part of our Goalscorer Treble!

Just waiting on Marcus Rashford now…

1529 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Manchester United 1-0 Huddersfield - Matic

Matic gives Ole Gunnar Solskjær his first Old Trafford goal as Manchester United boss. That's six goals in his first two games so far.

1525 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

Still no goals in the Palace v Cardiff game, however it's all the home side currently. They have had 73% possession and 5 shots in total.

Andros Townsend to score the 1st goal is 15/2 and he's had 2 shots so far, more than anyone else in the game

1520 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Tottenham 2-0 Bournemouth - Son

We tipped Son to score pre match - did you take it on? Because he's now doubled Spurs' lead

Burnley 0-3 Everton

What is going on at Burnley - could this be the end for Sean Dyche? Chris Kamara on Sky Sports: "This is not a Sean Dyche, this is not a Sean Dyche. This is terrible - what are the players doing?"

Middlesborough 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Not having a manager is really working for Sheffield Wednesday!

Bristol City 1-0 Brentford

City's upturn in form is getting stronger and stronger, while Brentford's troubles on the road are continuing

1518 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Leicester 1-1 Man City - Albrighton

Leicester's first shot on target and they equaliser. That's four goals in two games the Premier League Champions have now let in.

1517 📸 ACTION SHOT

1515 🌩 GOAL FLASHES

PREMIER LEAGUE

Leicester 0-1 Manchester City - Silva

City are responding from their shock loss to Palace how we all expected - they are punishing Leicester and already lead.

Tottenham 1-0 Bournemouth - Eriksen

Spurs are keeping up the pressure on the top two as they take the lead

1514 📸 ACTION SHOT

1509 🌩 GOAL FLASHES

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle - Lovren

A half volley into the top corner from Lovren puts the Premier League leaders ahead early against their former boss

Burnley 0-2 Everton

Digne makes it 2-0 for the Toffees, it means their two summer signings from Barcelona have both scored now.

Sky Bet Championship

WBA 1-0 Wigan - Rodriguez

Millwall 1-0 Reading

To make it worse for Reading's new manager José Manuel Gomes, Reading are now also down to 10 men with as Blackett is shown a straight red for a reckless challenge

1506 SLOW STARTS

Apart from at Turf Moor it's been a slow start across all the top four leagues.

In the Premier League Huddersfield almost shocked Ole's home coming party, having the first chance of the game, and Mbenz really should have scored for the Premier League's bottom club.

In the Championship there are great atmospheres at both Elland Road and Carrow Road, and why not with Leeds United and Norwich City the current top two and looking so good. Both are on top in their games early on.

1502 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Burnley 0-1 Everton - Mina

A shocking start for Burnley, as their terrible season continues. Awful defending means Mina is totally unmarked as the ball comes to him - even he looks surprised at the time and space he has, ad he finishes well.

1500 🕒 KICK OFF

So all the games are just getting underway. Stay with us for instant score updates ad key match details.

Our team will be looking over all the key game stats, player form, game flow and expert opinion to bring you in play betting advice to try and help you out today.

We'll also have Sky Bet's best offers and Price Boosts

1456 🚨 SKY BET PRICE BOOST

He got two assists in the win at Cardiff on Saturday, trying his luck on three occasions, and you can back Paul Pogba to score first this afternoon at 13/2...

Click here for more Manchester United v Huddersfield odds, Price Boosts and RequestABets

1453 🕵 PREMIER LEAGUE TIP

Our final pre match Premier League betting advice and we go to Old Trafford

• Paul Pogba to score and Manchester United to win against Huddersfield at 2/1

Red Devils fans have had little to cheer about this term and you would expect the shackles to come off here, as Solskjaer looks to take the fear out of his side which they can sometimes show in front of United fans.

One player who will be encouraged to express himself after a frustrating season will be Paul Pogba – and it would be no surprise to see him get on the score sheet so soon after Jose Mourinho’s departure.

He was impressive in Wales after returning to the starting line-up, setting up two and trying his luck on three occasions, and he is a general price of 9/5 to score anytime. You can bump that up to 2/1 in a score-and-win double, which is worth a small play considering an upturn in form is expected.

Back it here

1451 🥊 GREAT BOXING DAY MOMENTS

We are hoping for some Boxing Day Christmas Crackers (we had to say this once) and to get us in the mood we are reliving some of the great moments and games from previous Boxing Day's on @SportinglifeFC - here's two more

1449 📊 STAT TIME - Leicester v Man City

• Since they were promoted back to the top-flight in 2014-15, Leicester City have lost all four of their Premier League Boxing Day games.

1445 🕵 EFL TIP

A final Sky Bet Championship pre match tip from the Sporting Life football team..

• Swansea v Aston Villa: 1pt Bersant Celina to score anytime at 4/1; 1pt Conor Hourihane to score anytime at 5/1

Swansea' Bersant Celina will see this game as another one to continue his recent good form in front of goal.

The attacking midfielder has found the net in their last two games, taking his total tally to four for the season.

Against a makeshift Villa defence who are light on numbers, there is every chance that he could strike once again on Boxing Day.

He may have made an impact in the last two games from the bench, but you feel that recent form may be enough to force himself into the starting XI.

For the visitors, Conor Hourihane has enjoyed playing a more advanced role with Jack Grealish absent and did net in that defeat to Leeds.

He's proven to be a threat from both open play and dead-ball situations, which makes his best price of 5/1 to net anytime in this one worth taking.

Back it here

1445 🕵 PREMIER LEAGUE TIPS

George Pitts is going for...

• Heung-min Son to score anytime in Tottenham v Bournemouth at 6/4

The South Korean is due to go to the Asian Games next month and he will be a big miss. He is finally starting to get the recognition he deserves and is on fire at the minute, most recently scoring two and assisting in another in the thrashing at Everton on Sunday. He tried his luck four times in total and is clearly not short of confidence, so the 6/4 on offer looks generous and too good to pass up

Back it here

1443 6⃣ SUPER 6

Fancy winning Jeff Stelling’s Boxing Day £250,000? Well just predict the correct scores from six selected Premier League games and it’s all yours.

Enter for FREE HERE

1441 📊 STAT TIME - Liverpool v Newcastle

• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 22 home games against Newcastle in all competitions (W18 D4), with their last such defeat coming in November 1995 in the League Cup (0-1).
• Liverpool remain the only unbeaten side after 18 Premier League games this season – it’s their third longest unbeaten run from the start of a top-flight campaign after 1987-88 (29 games, finished 1st) and 1949-50 (19 games, finished 8th).

1439 🕵 EFL tips

Our EFL Expert Tom Carnduff recommends...

• Mateusz Klich to score anytime in Leeds v Blackburn at 29/10

Leeds' Mateusz Klich came close to scoring at Villa Park, and he landed a 3/1 winning tip in our preview of that one with three shots on goal. I’m willing to keep my faith with him based on that performance for reasons previously outlined.

The Polish midfielder could have grabbed the winner with a curling effort from outside the area, alongside a weak attempt when one-on-one in the first-half could have also easily been a goal.

Leeds will expect to be on the front foot once again in this one, giving Klich plenty of chances to continue adding to his tally.

Back it here

1437 - 2 Man Utd legends for the price of 1

As one legend makes his Old Trafford return…

So does another!

1435 🚨 Premier League Goalscorer Treble – NOW 16/1!

Our friends at Sky Bet have enhanced the odds of Sporting Life's Goalscorer Treble on this afternoon’s Premier League games.

Son, Rashford and Sigurdsson all to score anytime

• Heung-min Son is a man in form, netting twice and assisting another in Tottenham's thrashing of Everton. According to Opta, he has now been directly involved in 50 Premier League goals in 112 appearances for Spurs and is a real danger man.
• Marcus Rashford scored in Man United's win over Cardiff, taking four shots in total, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get the best out of the England forward, who comes up against an inconsistent Huddersfield defence.
• Gylfi Sigurdsson has seven goals and two assists in the Premier League for Everton this season, with one coming on Sunday against old club Tottenham. He is one of the Toffees' key men and can be decisive in helping them defeat Burnley on Wednesday.

1434 📊 STAT TIME: Burnley v Everton

• Burnley have won three of their last four games against Everton in the Premier League (L1), including both home and away meetings in the 2017-18 season.
• Everton’s only previous victory at Turf Moor in the Premier League was back in October 2014 (under Roberto Martinez). They’ve lost 2-1 there in each of the last two seasons.

1431 🚨 SOCCER SATURDAY SUPER BOOST

Back Manchester United; Manchester City and Crystal Palace all to win – NOW SUPER BOOSTED to 4/1 with Sky Bet

Place your bets here

1429 😯 CHAMPIONSHIP KEY GAMES

Into the Sky Bet Championship we go - and remember that Sporting Life has all the goals and highlights from all EFL games across the leagues.

So come back tomorrow to see ever goal from every game in all three EFL Leagues. Plus follow us at @sportinglifeFC on Twitter to see the best clips of great goals, saves, funnies and talking points from the EFL

WBA v WIGAN STATS

The last time these two clubs met at the Hawthorns was in the Premier League back in May 2013. A week later, Wigan went and beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

• West Brom haven't won a league game on Boxing Day since 2012 (vs QPR) - since then they have drawn two (2013 and 2017) and lost three (2014, 2015, 2016).
• Wigan manager Paul Cook has a 100% Football League win record in games played on Wednesday, winning all four as Wigan boss and one with Chesterfield.

BOLTON v ROTHERHAM STATS

Big game in the fight to stay up in the Sky Bet Championship, as Bolton – winless in six home league games – host Rotherham, who have gained four points from their last five away games

• Bolton Wanderers have won their last three successive league meetings at home against Rotherham United (March 1993, September 2014 & February 2016).
• Rotherham have won only one of their last 11 away trips to Bolton Wanderers in all competitions; this coming in a 2-0 win in February 1990 in the third tier of English league football.

MILLWALL v READING

Jose Gomes takes charge of Reading for the first time, after being appointed after Saturday’s loss to Boro.

His new Royals are out of the Sky Bet Championship Relegation Zone on goal difference only.

• The last time that Reading defeated Millwall both home and away in league competition in the same season was in their title-winning campaign of 2005-06.
• Millwall have won six of their last eight home league matches in December, drawing the other two.

1424 AGUERO RUBBISH AWAY?

Did you know that Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has not scored a Premier League away goal at an English ground for 13 months?!!!

He has scored away at Cardiff City and Swansea City in that time.

Aguero has the chance to halt that dry spell, as he returns to the starting XI at Leicester.

He is 11/4 to score the first goal of the game; and 4/5 to score anytime

1420 ⌛️FULL TIME

Fulham 1-1 Wolves

A dramatic final few minutes couldn't produce a winner for either side.

Fulham know they should have had all three points, having lead so close to full time. However the point is enough to take them off the foot of the Premier League and within three points of safety now.

Huddersfield are now bottom.

Wolves move from 10th to 9th for the time being.

1417 🕵 PREMIER LEAGUE 3PM TIPS

So that's all the team news in, let's look at some more of our Premier League Tips for Boxing Day...

Patrick van Aanholt to score anytime in Crystal Palace v Cardiff at 7/1 (Tom Carnduff)

Goals haven’t been a problem for Roy Hodgson’s men in recent weeks, scoring nine goals in their last five.

The one eye-catching price is the 7/1 available on Patrick van Aanholt to score anytime against a struggling Cardiff outfit.

The left-back may only have one goal to his name this season, but he has demonstrated his attacking threat at various points throughout the campaign.

He sits fifth for shots taken in this Crystal Palace side with a total of 22. Only the attacking trio of Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha, Max Meyer and the set-piece taking Luka Milivojevic have more.

Back it here

1415 📰 TEAM NEWS: Palace v Cardiff

Palace make one change from their incredible 3-2 win at Manchester City four days ago. Cheikhou Kouyate returns in midfield to replace Jeffrey Schlupp.

Cardiff make five changes: Cunningham, Gunnarsson, Murphy and Arter all drop to the bench, while Callum Paterson is left out Bennett, Ralls, Decordova-Reid, Harris and Peltier are all in.

1414 📰 TEAM NEWS: Spurs v Bournemouth

Kyle Walker-Peters starts with Kieran Trippier on the bench, while there is no Dele Alli in the squad after the England midfielder appeared to pick up an injury at Everton.

Bournemouth boosted by the return of Ryan Fraser to the starting XI at Wembley, as Callum Wilson continues to lead the line..

1411 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Fulham 1-1 Wolves - Saiss

A great cross across the six yard box - the corridor of uncertainty - and it causes chaos for Fulham, resulting in a tap in from 6mm out for Saiss and his first Premier League goal. 2 mins and injury time left here.

1410 📰 TEAM NEWS: Man Utd v Huddersfield

Anthony Martial misses out due to illness as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes three changes – Diogo Dalot, Fred and Juan Mata introduced

David Wagner makes three alterations from their defeat to Southampton, with Elias Kachunga, Laurent Depoitre and Erik Durm coming into the side

1407 📰 TEAM NEWS: Burnley v Everton

Burnley hand Ben Gibson his first Premier League start.

Everton need to respond after their humiliation at the hands of Spurs. Richarlison is on the bench and there is no Cenk Tosun.

1406 📰 TEAM NEWS: Liverpool v Newcastle

Xherdan Shaqiri comes into the Reds’ XI in place of Fabinho, who drops to the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum also come into the side as Jurgen Klopp makes three changes from Friday’s win over Wolves.

Federico Fernandez, Yoshinori Muto, Isaac Hayden and Joselu come in for the Magpies…

1404 📰 TEAM NEWS: Leicester v Man City

Leicester, unsurprisingly, name an unchanged side from the one that recorded a rare win at Chelsea last time out. Jamie Vardy has passed a fitness test to start.

De Bruyne and Aguero return to the starting XI for Manchester City as they look to bounce back from their shock loss to Palace

1402 🌩 GOAL FLASH

Fulham 1-0 Wolves - Sessegnon (74)

It took a couple of defelctions on the way through, but it's Ryan Sessegnon's goal that finally opens the scoring

1400❓QUIZ QUESTION ANSWER

We asked you 15 minutes ago....

Which club has amassed the most top-flight points from Boxing Day games since the first competitive season in 1888?

The answer...

Everton - 140 points from 88 Boxing Day games.

Manchester United are second with 139 points, but from only 76 games!

Liverpool are third with 131 points from 80 top flight games

Continue the Quiz fun and tackle our 2018 Sports Quiz at some point….

1558 LIVERPOOL TO BLOW IT AGAIN??

Did you know...

In the previous 10 years only twice has the team top of the Premier League on Christmas Day not gone on to win the title.

On both occasions it was Liverpool, in 2008 and 2014.

Can it be third time lucky for the Anfield club this season?

They remain second favourites for the title - despite a current four point lead at the top of the table.

1353 🏡 SOLSKJAER COMES HOME

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returns to Old Trafford as the new boss of Manchester United today, as they host Huddersfield.

Here's some of this first programme notes and a message for the fans.

"I feel like I have come home. From the moment I found out that I was doing this role, today is the day that I really couldn't wait for. To walk out at Old Trafford means so much to me and I want to thank you all for making me feel so welcome.

"There are plenty of games left this season and lots to be optimistic about. We still have a lot of games to play in the Premier League and ground to make up on the teams above us; we have an FA Cup campaign starting next month and, of course, there is a very exciting Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to.

"We have a huge challenge ahead over the rest of the season, but this is a club which rises to challenges and relishes them. It will require hard work from every single person associated with the club, but it can be done and I am very excited to be involved."

1350 🕵 EFL TIPS

Our Sky Bet EFL expert and top tipster Tom Carnduff has been searching for Boxing Day value, with recommended bets for clashes in the Championship…

• Sheffield United v Derby: 1pt David McGoldrick to be shown a card; 1pt Oli Norwood to be shown a card at 4/1

One avenue to explore here is cards given the fact that Derby sit fourth for yellows shown this season. That could also draw the Blades into a game where they too are on the receiving end of the cautions.

That could signal trouble for David McGoldrick - with the Sheffield United striker having four yellows on his tally already this season.

McGoldrick has committed the joint-most fouls in this Blades squad, and at a huge price of 10/1, the value is definitely there in backing him to be shown a card in a game like this.

With him on 30 fouls committed is Oli Norwood, and it's also worth backing him at that 4/1 mark to join McGoldrick in the book.

Norwood has four yellows to his name this season, which includes one in their draw with Ipswich last time out.

Back it here

1347 🥊 GREAT BOXING DAY MOMENTS

Remember this? 2006 - Premier League - Teddy Sheringham

1344❓QUIZ QUESTION TIME

So who of you excelled at the Christmas games yesterday? Who smashed Charades; dominated Pictionary; and bulldozed the opposition in Balderdash?

Well keep that form going and your mind sharp today with this teaser….

Which club has amassed the most top-flight points from Boxing Day games since the first competitive season in 1888?

We’ll post the answer at 2pm.

Continue the Quiz fun and tackle our 2018 Sports Quiz at some point….

1340 📊 STAT TIME - Spurs v Bournemouth

Tottenham are chasing the top two hard and certainly Liverpool's Klopp thinks they are real title challengers. However Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino says his side need to prove they have the constancy to stay up there. So today's a crucial game for showing us if they have that or not.

• Tottenham are still without a draw after 18 Premier League games this season – the last team to have a longer wait for one from the start of a top-flight campaign was Arsenal in 1983-84 (19 games).
• Only Harry Kane (8) and Mohamed Salah (6) have scored more away goals in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson (5).

1335 😯 CHAMPIONSHIP KEY GAMES

Let's start taking a look at some of the key games in the Sky Bet Championship today, with the top two both having home games...

NORWICH CITY v FOREST

Defender Timm Klose gave Norwich a big away win at Forest in October and are now looking to secure six straight home wins for the first time since winning 11 in a row under Paul Lambert in 2010.

• Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last 11 competitive away games against Norwich City at Carrow Road (W1 D3 L7).
• Nottingham Forest have lost their last three league games played on Boxing Day 2014, 2016 and 2017).

LEEDS v BLACKBURN

Blackburn inflicted Leeds’ first away league defeat of the season back in October. However United have beaten Rovers in their last two competitive meetings at Elland Road.

• Leeds United have won their last two Boxing Day games, 2-1 vs Burton in 2017 and 4-1 vs Preston in 2016.
• Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray has won six of his seven Boxing Day matches as a manager (L1) - all six wins were at home, with his only away match ending in defeat at Chelsea as West Brom manager in 2008.

1332 - MINCE PIE HEAVEN FOR FOXES

Leicester City have continued to show the famed generosity of their ownership, providing free beer and mince pies for today's game.

With Manchester City overwhelming favourites to win, this might prove to be the highlight of the day for Foxes' fans.

And here's the pies themselves

1327 🔍 IN PLAY BETTING ADVICE

At Craven Cottage Aleksandar Mitrovic had SEVEN shots in the first half, with two of those on target.

Looking at the markets you can back him to get four or more shots on target in total at 7/2 and he is available at 11/2 to open the scoring...

Back those HERE

1325 🥊 GREAT BOXING DAY MOMENTS

Let's look back at another great Boxing Day moment. This comes from the Sky Bet Championship last season....

1322 📰 PAPER TALK – FOOTBALL RUMOURS

If you’ve not checked out today’s Paper Talk then let’s bring you up to date on some of the rumours from the National Papers' back pages

• Wilfried Zaha has been offered a staggering £11m a year to move to Chinese side Dalian Yifang next month
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaerwill land a £2m bonus if he secures Champions League qualification for Manchester United.
• Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos may quit the club if Jose Mourinho is appointed their new boss.
• Real Madrid have been rocked as Barcelona become favourites to sign Harry Kane.
• Arsenal target Fernando Calero is in London ahead of a possible January move from Valladolid.

1318 ⏳ HALF TIME

Fulham 0-0 Wolves

Don't let the scoreline fool you. It's been an entertain game that's really built in the final 20 minutes of the first half.

Both sides should have had penalties for defenders handling the ball in the box, both have forced good save from each keeper, and we've had some pushing and shoving.

STATS

• Possession: Fulham 42% v Wolves 58%
• Shots on Target: Fulham 3 v Wolves 2
• Shots off Target Fulham 4 v Wolves 2
• Corners: Fulham 2 v Wolves 0

1316 🕵 PREMIER LEAGUE 3PM TIPS

Our tipsters Tom Carnduff and George Pitts are hoping to deliver Christmas cheer with their Premier League betting tips . Here's their first effort of the day....

• 1pt Gylfi Sigurdsson to score anytime in Burnley v Everton at 3/1 (Tom Carnduff)

Gylfi Sigurdsson has undoubtedly been one of the stars of this Everton side, boasting eight goals and two assists from the attacking midfield position.

He’s demonstrated an ability to find the net from open play, but also has an eye for goal from those dead-ball situations.

At a best-price of 3/1, the value is there in him adding to his tally in a game where the Toffees can expect to be on the front foot.

Back it here

1314 6⃣ SUPER 6

Fancy winning Jeff Stelling’s Boxing Day £250,000? Well just predict the correct scores from six selected Premier League games and it’s all yours.

Burnley v Everton

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

Leicester City v Manchester City

Liverpool v Newcastle United

Manchester United v Huddersfield Town

Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth

Enter for FREE HERE

1310 📊 STAT TIME - UNITED V TOWN

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes control of his first home game as Manchester United and in theory he couldn't ask for a better game, as they host a struggling Huddersfield. How tough will it be for the visitors? Well this stat sums it up...

• Huddersfield are looking for their first away win against Manchester United since September 1930, when they won 6-0 in a top-flight clash. They’ve failed to win any of their last 15 trips in all competitions since then (D5 L10).

1307 ⚽️ SPORTING LIFE ACCA

So every week the Sporting Life football team pick four clubs we think/hope will win. We speak to Sky Bet and they boost the odds of all four winners coming off and that's how our Sporting Life EFL ACCA comes to life. Here's our Boxing Day hopes...

• Back Bristol City, Oxford, Lincoln and Grimsby all to win enhanced to 33/1 with Sky Bet

Bristol City (to beat Brentford)

Bristol City are unbeaten in their last five, while Brentford have failed to win a Sky Bet Championship away game this season.

Oxford (to beat Southend)

Oxford have won their last five home games in Sky Bet League One. They take on a Southend side who have lost their last four league away games.

Lincoln (to beat Crewe)

Lincoln sit top of the Sky Bet League Two table and are also the second-best away side in the division. Crewe have lost four of their last six home games.

Grimsby (to beat Port Vale)

Grimsby have won three of their last four League Two games. They face Port Vale who have won just one of their last five home league games

1304 🥊 GREAT BOXING DAY MOMENTS

In the build up to the 3pm kick offs we will remember some of the great Boxing Day matches and moments.

Let's start with this...

The fans and media loved it, but the players didn't. Ultimately it caused unrest in the Hull dressing room and Phil Brown was eventually sacked.

1302 🤔 PRESSURE ON THE LEADERS?

Leading the Premier League at Christmas is a huge moment for Liverpool, and now they have something to lose as they try and finally earn their first Premier League title.

However, boss Jurgen Klopp insists nothing has changed for his side and they aren’t feeling any increased pressure.

"Nothing has changed. Absolutely nothing. We are focused so far always on the next game. That hasn't changed since Saturday," said Klopp.

"Nothing is taken for granted. Don't think because we have that amount of points and they have that amounts of points (that Liverpool will win the title).

"If you think that, then that's the moment when things go wrong. And they can still go wrong, that's how life is.

"We have to be focused. Not nervous."

1300 🚨 SOCCER SATURDAY SUPER BOOST

Back Manchester United; Manchester City and Crystal Palace all to win – NOW SUPER BOOSTED by Sky Bet to 4/1

Place your bets here

1257 EARLY KICK OFF

The first Boxing Day game is Fulham against Wolves at Craven Cottage, which kicked off at 12.30…

Fulham 0-0 Wolves

Wolves are fuming though, as they should have had a penalty. Jiménez shoots and the ball clearly hits the arm of a Fulham defender, but the ref is unsighted and the home side get away with one.

Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has has three shots so far, one a header straight at the keeper and another two off target, and he is now 6/1 to score the 1st goal with Sky Bet.

🎅 1255 WELCOME

Hello! Season’s Greetings from the Sporting Life Team.

We hope you had a fantastic Christmas and you got everything you wanted from Santa.

Are you ready for a big day of football action? You better be, because we have NINE Premier League matches and a full Sky Bet EFL programme.

We will bring you instant score and match incident updates from every top flight and key EFL games.

Crucially, we will monitor all key in game stats, team news, player form match progress and expert opinion to provide you advice to help with your in-play betting.

Team news to come from 2pm, but in the next few hours we will have lots of stats, talking points, info and some fun quiz questions as we build to 3pm.

Odds correct at time of posting on 26/12/18