Premier League questions: Four in a row for Jose Mourinho? Can Chelsea cope without Costa?

By Gerard Brand and Jack Wilkinson

Watch a preview of the Premier League's Boxing Day fixtures, including Man Utd playing host to Sunderland

It's the most wonderful time of the year... especially if you're a football fan.

There's a bonanza of Christmas Premier League football coming your way with eight matches on Boxing Day, plus Liverpool v Stoke live on Sky Sports on December 27 and Southampton v Tottenham live on Wednesday December 28.

We look ahead to some of the questions that will be answered over the festive period...

Will Troy Deeney finally hit his 100th Watford goal? (Watford v Crystal Palace - Boxing Day from 12pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)

All the pre-match talk ahead of Boxing Day's early kick-off is likely to be of Crystal Palace and their first match since parting company with Alan Pardew - but it's also a huge clash for Watford and for their captain, in particular.

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By the time Troy Deeney leads Watford out at Vicarage Road, 12 weeks would have passed since he was last on the scoresheet.

His 99th Watford goal - his third Premier League goal of the season - came in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth back on October 1, and he has been stuck one shy of 100-goal landmark ever since.

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His season to date has arguably mirrored that of his team, one that can dazzle on any given day but lacks the consistency required to leave a lasting mark.

With Palace on the horizon, Deeney may be licking his lips in anticipation as he goes about becoming the fifth player to hit a century in Watford colours.

Do the Baggies have bounce-back-ability? (Arsenal v West Brom - Boxing Day, 3pm)

Having seen their four-game unbeaten run come to an end at Chelsea on December 11, West Brom showed their mettle in the following game, bouncing back with an assured 3-1 win against Watford.

Two weeks on and Tony Pulis' men find themselves in a similar position, looking to recover from Saturday's humbling at the hands of Manchester United.

The Baggies have won at Arsenal only once in the Premier League, a 3-2 victory back in September 2010, but the Gunners have some making up of their own to do after they succumbed to Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger's side tend to stroll through these sort of games, with their title charge faltering against the so-called big clubs. After defeat to Man City, anything but a victory against West Brom will leave the Gunners looking behind them rather than the top of the table.

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Are Boro still the kings of Boxing Day? (Burnley v Middlesbrough - Boxing Day, 3pm)

Newly-promoted Burnley and Middlesbrough will be pleased with their adaptation to life in the Premier League.

Just a point and two places separates last season's top two in the Championship ahead of their Boxing Day clash at Turf Moor.

It's clear Burnley's home form will play a big role in their bid to avoid the drop, with 16 of the Clarets' 17 points secured on home soil this term.

Their impressive home form faces a stern test on Monday, with Aitor Karanka's men looking to extend a similar impressive Boxing Day record.

Boro have won their last five clashes the day after Christmas without conceding a single goal. Repeat the feat at Turf Moor and there's every chance that will turn into six.

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Can Chelsea cope without Costa and Kante? (Chelsea v Bournemouth - Boxing Day, 3pm)

Rejuvenated under Antonio Conte, Chelsea have been brushing teams aside left, right and centre to secure top spot at Christmas.

However, losing two key ingredients in the spine of their team ahead of a congested festive schedule is a blow that cannot be underestimated.

Suspended duo Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante have a watching brief on Monday as Bournemouth head to Stamford Bridge looking for a repeat of their 1-0 victory in last season's corresponding fixture.

A lot has changed in the 12 months that have followed that result though, a 12th-consecutive Premier League victory - one short of the all-time Premier League record - will underscore just how far the Blues have come.

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Can the Toffees crash the Vardy-less party? (Leicester v Everton - Boxing Day, 3pm)

The penultimate game of Leicester's sensational year sees the reigning champions re-enact one of the stand-out moments of their title-winning campaign.

The last time the Toffees travelled to the King Power Stadium they were swept aside by the Foxes before Wes Morgan lifted the Premier League trophy aloft amid scenes of delirium.

A Jamie Vardy double was the difference between the two sides last time out, however with the England striker suspended, can the Toffees spoil the Leicester party at the second time of asking?

A victory for Ronald Koeman's men couldn't come at a better time. The Merseysiders have lost four successive Premier League away games - they haven't lost five in a row on the road since January 2015.

Wes Morgan and Claudio Ranieri lifted the trophy amid ecstatic scenes at the King Power stadium last May

Can Jose lead United to four straight Premier League wins? (Man Utd v Sunderland - Boxing Day, 3pm)

They haven't done it since April 2015 under Louis van Gaal, but Saturday gives Jose Mourinho's side the chance to win for a fourth consecutive game in the Premier League.

After an indifferent autumn and early winter, three wins in the space of just over a week has boosted the mood around Old Trafford, and the visit of David Moyes' Sunderland gives them a chance to take that run further.

There's even talk of challenging beyond the top four, but consistency is key, and with Middlesbrough visiting Old Trafford two days later, followed by the trip to West Ham, the winter period will test United's ability to live up to their favourites tag in those games.

Jose Mourinho says he would sign a contract extension with Manchester United if he was offered one

Can Swansea climb out of the drop zone before New Year? (Swansea v West Ham - Boxing Day, 3pm)

It hasn't been a stellar 2016 for the Swans. They linger in the relegation zone with just three wins and 11 defeats this season, and face a West Ham side who have just hit form.

Bob Bradley will want more time than Francesco Guidolin was given at the Liberty Stadium, but time is at a premium in the bottom three. With Bournemouth and Palace up after the Hammers, the outlook could be a lot brighter on January 1 for the American and his side.

Two wins out of two gives Slaven Bilic's side confidence for the trip to south Wales, but they were relatively unconvincing in both of those narrow 1-0 wins against Burnley and Hull.

Swansea head coach Bob Bradley defends the way he speaks after using the term 'PK' for a penalty kick

Will City win three on the trot after a rocky period? (Hull v Man City - Boxing Day from 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)

After a fine start to his tenure, winning his first six Premier League games, Pep Guardiola won just three of his next nine.

But two victories on the trot, against Watford and then Arsenal, have softened the criticism the Spaniard was receiving throughout December, and they will be overwhelming favourites for a third straight win at the KCOM Stadium.

Hull will find it hard to put a positive spin on their 1-0 defeat by West Ham last weekend, hitting the post three times and falling foul of a late penalty. The odds are stacked in City's favour for this one.

Will Liverpool keep up the pace over the Christmas period? (Liverpool v Stoke - Tues, Dec 27 from 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)

Watch a preview of matchday 18's only game on December 27, Liverpool v Stoke City

With Chelsea's winning run showing no sign of stopping, Liverpool could have easily seen themselves out of contention but for vital wins in their last two.

The last-gasp Merseyside derby victory means confidence is through the roof, and another three points is vital to stay in touch with Antonio Conte's side, who have three games in 10 days over the busy period while the Reds have three in seven.

In contrast, Stoke threw away a two-goal lead against 10-man Leicester, and go to Anfield having not won there in the Premier League.

Can Spurs reverse their woeful away form? (Southampton v Tottenham - Wed, Dec 28, from 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)

Watch a preview of matchday 18's only game on December 28, Southampton v Tottenham

Without a win on their Premier League travels since September, Spurs will be desperate for three points on the south coast if they want to keep up their top-four aspirations.

They've comfortably won their last two at home, but a win on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports, is vital going into another trip to Watford and a home clash with rivals Chelsea, making up three games in just eight days.

Saints have regained some form of late, taking seven points from a possible nine, but a gap between the top six and mid-table threatens to open up if they can't get a win here.

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