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FESTIVE season football has always been important for several reasons: first, it tends to produce a number of tight, pivotal fixtures; second, as we’ve reached the halfway stage of the season, teams know what they have to do between now and May to consider their campaign successful. And finally, it provides supporters with an opportunity to escape truly dire TV schedules.

West Brom travel to Arsenal on Boxing Day for a contest the match stats team at bettingexpert. com tell us they’ve lost on their last five visits. Yet Albion have proved a tough nut to crack under Tony Pulis and the Gunners can expect to face a less accommodating Baggies than they have in recent times.

Nonetheless, Arsenal start as BetVictor’s 1/3 favourites, whereas Albion are an incredible 11/1 (William Hill) to take three points; Betway mark the draw at 5/1. Each of these latter prices look far too frothy in what is, after all, a two-horse race.

Wolves haven’t lost a home league match to Bristol City since 1931 and there’s little to suggest that proud record will come to a juddering halt when the pair lock horns at Molineux on Monday.

Wolves kick off as Ladbrokes’ 11/8 favourites to secure three much-needed points, with the Robins quoted at 19/10 by bet365; the draw is offered at 5/2 by Bwin.

Given the propensity of festive fixtures to be close, Skybet’s 5/4 posted about the opening 45 minutes finishing level offers decent value. And as tempers tend to flare at this time of the year, punters might think the same of Paddy Power’s 2/1 for the match to produce a penalty.

Bookies report plenty of wagers based upon Aston Villa’s fixture against Burton yielding a hatful of goals. The pair have never met, but punters anticipate a goalfest and Marathonbet’s 4/6 for the match to produce more than 2.5 goals has proved popular, as has bet365’s even money for more than 11 corners.

Villa kick off as 10bet’s 8/11 favourites and for those expecting a Scrooge-like supply of goals, Steve Bruce’s men are priced at 11/2 (188bet) to win 1-0.

Blues and Derby County get an extra day to digest their festive feast, but for punters still anticipating a laboured, Christmas pud-influenced duel when they meet at Pride Park, Ladbrokes chalk 5/1 against both halves finishing on level terms, while 888sport post 11/2 against a 1-1 outcome.

Derby are enjoying a fine run, though four of the pair’s last six contests have ended as score draws; the likelihood of another on Tuesday is rated a 7/2 shot by 188bet, while Blues are an enticing 12/1(10bet) to win 1-0.

Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com – make sure you’re getting the best free tips at www. bettingexpert.com