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Fantasyland: We're not even mentioning Liverpool

We asked Santa for a Joe Cole hat-trick and a Manchester United clean sheet. This is the stuff of fantasy…

PUT DOWN THOSE Roses and sort your team out – we’ve more games coming up tomorrow.

Both Manchester clubs are involved in 3pm kick-offs, with United entertaining Southampton and City travelling to Norwich.

The early game sees Tottenham and Sunderland, both flying after St Stephen’s Day wins over Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively, play each other, while Arsenal v Newcastle makes for a very tasty evening kick off indeed.

Two players to pick

Fernando Torres

The Chelsea striker may have left goalscoring duties to Juan Mata for the win over Norwich, but there’s no doubting that the Spaniard’s sharpness has returned. He has six goals in his last six games, with Rafael Benitez claiming that he’s getting closer and closer to the kind of form that made him the most feared striker in the league while at Liverpool.

This weekend’s opposition is Everton, so it isn’t easy, but Chelsea are suddenly the league’s form team and the 28-year-old is at the forefront of a revival.

Robert Huth

When in doubt – go for a Stoke defender. The Potters have only conceded four goals at home so far this season and, although both Geoff Cameron and Ryan Shawcross are suspended, you would not expect Southampton to trouble Huth, Asmir Begovic and company too much.

Two players to avoid

David de Gea

Sure, Manchester United are at home to West Brom and will probably win easily enough (despite the Baggies’ minor resurgence), but the defence shows no real signs of improvement. While Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans have recently stepped in with a couple of goals to offset the points they lose for conceding, United’s Spanish ‘keeper – talented as he is – can not be trusted.

Kevin Nolan

The midfielder has not amassed more than two points since scoring the winner against his former side Newcastle on November 11th. I’ve stuck by him through this rotten run of form, but you really don’t have to.

(Sean Dempsey/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Predictions:

Sunderland 0-2 Tottenham
Aston Villa 1-1 Wigan
Fulham 3-1 Swansea
Man Utd 3-2 West Brom
Norwich 0-1 Man City
Reading 2-0 West Ham
Stoke City 2-0 Southampton
Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle
Everton 0-3 Chelsea
QPR 2-1 Liverpool

Who’s leading TheScore.ie Primera Division?

With a total of 1,111 points, that would be Dave Williams’ Hazardous FC. Well done to Dave.

How much? Leo Messi rejects eye-watering Anzhi offer >

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