Premier League Boxing Day preview: Chelsea v West Ham, Leicester City v Tottenham and all the major talking points

Video: The Independent looks ahead to Friday's Premier League games

Premier League Boxing Day preview: Chelsea v West Ham, Leicester City v Tottenham and all the major talking points. (Getty Images)

This week, The Independent looks ahead to the Premier League's Boxing Day action, focusing on the key matches and the major talking points, as teams prepare to play three matches in under a week.

Jack de Menezes and Tom Sheen preview the London derby between Chelsea and West Ham, a battle between first and fourth place. West Ham are in the top four for Christmas for the first time since 1985 and both these sides entered the Christmas period with comfortable 2-0 victories. The Hammers beat Leicester City on Saturday while Chelsea recorded an impressive victory at Stoke on Monday night.

Sam Allardyce was accused by Jose Mourinho of playing 19^th century football when West Ham managed a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge last season. Yet the Hammers are a completely different side this time around, and while they may be more defensive than in their recent matches, they will certainly be more potent in attack than last time these two sides met.

Elsewhere, a possible upset could come at the King Power Stadium, where bottom-of-the-table Leicester take on Spurs, who are finally beginning to find some form. Leicester are desperate for a win and Tottenham are still yet to really get into the swing of things as they push for a top four finish. The Foxes may fancy their chances at breaking their winning duck on Friday.

Finally, David Silva has been the standout player for Manchester City in recent weeks, showing that the champions do not necessarily rely solely on the exploits of Sergio Aguero, who remains injured. Silva will be crucial for City as they travel to West Brom on Boxing Day.

BOXING DAY FIXTURES:

Chelsea v West Ham (12:45)

Burnley v Liverpool (15:00)

Crystal Palace v Southampton (15:00)

Everton v Stoke (15:00)

Leicester v Tottenham (15:00)

Manchester United v Newcastle (15:00)

Sunderland v Hull (15:00)

Swansea v Aston Villa (15:00)

West Brom v Manchester City (15:00)

Arsenal v QPR (17:30)