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Robin van persie doing his Usain Bolt impression. Martin Rickett/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Fantasyland: Festive cheer and home comfort in store for United

Just because it’s Christmas Day doesn’t mean you can neglect your fantasy team. Get the cones and bibs out.

‘FEED THE STRI-KERS, Let them know it’s Christ-mas time.’

Yes, folks; it’s the most wonderful time of the year for watching televised football.

But just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean that the Premier league will be charitable and let you be tardy with your team selections.

Put that new Scalextric set away for a while, unbuckle your belt and take a load off to consider your tactical options for a Stephen’s Day feast of leftover football.

Two players to pick on ‘Boxing Day’

Wayne Rooney: Okay, so he had a mare on Sunday, but Newcastle are on course to lose all four games of the Christmas period. With Robin van Peris attracting some defensive heat away, young master Rooney will have chances to add to his excellent record against the Magpies.

Adel Taarabt: Some people don’t believe in the jolly old man with the  red face, but I think Harry Redknapp always delivers the goods. Tomorrow, West Brom come to Loftus Road and it will be a bear-pit in which Taarabt will be asked to provide the subtlety.

Two players to avoid like the Grinch

How about 22? Don’t forget that a tube strike has forced the league to cancel Arsenal v West Ham so keep Lukas Podolski, Andy Carroll et al out of your starting XI.

David Santon: If you haven’t already jettisoned all of your Toon defenders, now’s the time. Tomorrow they travel to Old Trafford, for what we imagine will be a spanking. Within eight days they’ll have endured similarly chastening experiences at the Emirates and at home to Everton.

Predictions

Everton 3 – 2 Wigan

Fulham 2 – 0 Southampton

Manchester United 4 – 0 Newcastle United

Norwich 1 – 1 Chelsea

QPR 2 – 1 West Brom

Reading 0 – 1 Swansea

Sunderland 1 – 3 Manchester City

Aston Villa 2 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke 1 – 1 Liverpool

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