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Festive Favourites

From Jose Mourinho and Manchester United to Jamie Vardy and Leicester, who are the winners – and losers – of Premier League Boxing Days gone by?

When it comes to festive fixtures, not all players and clubs are created equal... but who enjoys the seasonal showdowns most?

BOXING DAY, a time to nurse the old Christmas Day hangovers, eat a couple of leftover turkey sandwiches, polish of the cheese plate and, of course, take in some festive football.

There are few things better than the traditional December 26 kick-offs, whether watching live at your local club or sitting down in front of the TV.

 Jose Mourinho has a spectacular record as a manager on Boxing Day
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Jose Mourinho has a spectacular record as a manager on Boxing DayCredit: Getty Images

But if you're thinking about having a bet on the game, then it's worth taking a look at the following stats, as when it comes to Boxing Day there are some clear winners - and losers - according to .


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When it comes to December 26, no team has been more successful than Manchester United in the Premier League.

Over the years, they have won a whopping 18 of their 22 fixtures on their day, for a win-rate of 81.8 per cent.

 A look at the best - and worst - performers on Boxing Days gone by
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A look at the best - and worst - performers on Boxing Days gone byCredit: bwin
 Manchester United tend to flourish on Boxing Day in the Premier League
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Manchester United tend to flourish on Boxing Day in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images

In terms of managers, it's United newbie Jose Mourinho, who has won four of his five fixtures, while Jermain Defoe is the top player, netting in six of his ten Boxing Day outings.

At the other end of the scale it's bad news for West Brom fans as they have won a meagre one of their ten festive games.

 Claudio Ranieri is statistically Boxing Day's least successful boss
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Claudio Ranieri is statistically Boxing Day's least successful bossCredit: Reuters

Meanwhile, reigning Premier League champion Claudio Ranieri is the 'worst' Boxing Day boss with no wins from his five attempts, with Peter Crouch the worst-performing player with just one goal from nine festive matches.

But of course, there is more to the Christmas fixture list than just Boxing Day, with the games coming thick and fast from the middle of December to early January.

So who are the winners and losers for the month of December?

 Manchester United top the list of best clubs through Decembers gone by
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Manchester United top the list of best clubs through Decembers gone byCredit: bwin
 Hull are infamously the worst Boxing Day team, including that Phil Brown team-talk
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Hull are infamously the worst Boxing Day team, including that Phil Brown team-talkCredit: PA

Overall, it's once again United who are the most successful club with a 63 per cent win rate, followed by Arsenal and Liverpool on 52.6 and 51.1 per cent respectively.

Hull are statistically the worst team, winning just 16.7 per cent of their games - including the 5-1 thumping by Manchester City in 2008 that included the on-pitch team-talk from Phil Brown - with the Baggies and Leicester not far behind on 22.2 and 22.6 per cent.

Boss-wise, it's the Special One yet again as he has won 66.7 per cent of his 33 matches, with Arsene Wenger and Ranieri not far behind on 58.2 and 50 per cent apiece.

 Jose Mourinho is statistically December's best manager
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Jose Mourinho is statistically December's best managerCredit: bwin
 There's contrasting fortunes for Harry Kane and Enner Valencia in December
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There's contrasting fortunes for Harry Kane and Enner Valencia in DecemberCredit: bwin

Tony Pulis ranks as the least successful December boss on 28.9 per cent, while Alan Pardew and Mark Hughes run him close on 33.3 and 42.6 per cent respectively.

December's best striker honour goes to Harry Kane, whose ratio of 0.62 goals per game eclipses Riyad Mahrez (0.58) and Jay Rodriguez (0.55) with Enner Valencia (zero from 11), Shane Long (three in 35) and Jamie Vardy (one in 11) have the poorest record in front of goal.

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