Box of Delights: Festive feast of Boxing Day TV action for football hungry fans

Boxing Day has always been regarded as a special date on the sporting calender as the football action finally returns after what seems like an age, abd this year all the Premier League games will be broadcast live courtesy of Amazon.

For the second time this month the broadcaster will be showing every game, including all the 3pm kick-offs, simultaneously across all their channels.

As a result armchair viewers can lok forwrd to no fewer than nine top-flight encounters over a 10 hour matchday marathon.

Mourinho will expect a reaction

Tottenham will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to Chelsea when they welcome Graham Potter’s Brighton for the first of the Boxing Day games which starts the epic broadcasting bonanza at 12:30.

However, the Seagulls have already tasted victory in North London this year when they won away at Arsenal at the beginning of the month and will have no fears heading back to the capital despite winning just one of their last four Premier League games.

As for near neighbours Arsenal, they will be hoping that the arrival of Mikel Arteta at the Emirates will transform their fortunes when they host a strugling Bournemouth side who have won only once in six Premier League games when the 3pm games begin.

Chelsea’s win at Spurs last Sunday was a welcome win for the Blues after losses to West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth, though Frank Lampard’s men will be keen not to get carried away when they welcome a Southampton side to Stamford Bridge who convincingly dispatched Aston Villa on Saturday as they look to move away from the danger zone.

A recent run of bad form has seen Aston Villa fall into the bottom three making their game with Norwich at Villa Park something of a relegation battle while fellow strugglers Watford will be looking to build on their shock 2-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday when they travel to high flying Sheffield United.

Carlo can expect warm welcome

Another new manager looking to make a an instant impact is Carlo Ancelotti, who was named as the new Everton boss on Monday and Sean Dyche’s Burnley can expect a lively atmosphere when they run out at Goodison Park for a mouthwatering Boxing Day clash.

Crystal Palace came away from Saturday’s clash with Newcastle at St James’ Park empty handed thanks to a late strike by Miguel Almiron, his first strike in 27 games since joining the club last season, but will look to put things right against West Ham, who have won once in their last three league games.

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce will be hopeful of another good showing from a side who are now tenth in the table and level on points with Manchester United, who they face on Boxing Day.

The Magpies travel to Old Trafford for the 5.30 fixture knowing that the home side will be rattled by their 2-0 loss to Watford last time out and Bruce will be aware that there may not be a better time to face his old side.

And finally, the main course in this tantalisingly tasty Boxing Day feast of football is served at 8pm as runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to the Kingpower Stadium to face their nearest challengers and 2016 champions Leicester City.

Leicester, managed by former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, have been somewhat unlikley title contenders so far this season but find themselves second in the table going inot this one against Jurgen Klopp’s side who are yet to taste defeat this season.

The newly crowned World Champions will be keen to get back to winning ways on the back of their success in Qatar, though their recent excursion to the Middle East for what will be their third game in a week might just take its toll.

All the Boxing Day Premier League fixtures

The Spurs v Brighton game begins some 10 hours of live coverage on the 26th of December, including all the 3pm games, Manchester United’s teatime fixture with Newcastle and Liverpool’s potential decider with Leicester. All games are 3pm kick-offs unless stated.