What better to assuage that New Year’s Day hangover than a full slate of Premier League matches?
Let the world’s best league be your Bloody Mary, your yellow Gatorade, your White Castle crave case.
The action on NBCSN begins at 7:00am ET and doesn’t stop until 5:30pm.
We’ll have all the best matches, all the highlights and analysis as well as an hour long Goal Zone and an hour-and-a-half long (live) Match of the Day -- a guaranteed way to ring in the New Year right.
Below are my picks for all 10 matches on Wednesday.
UPSET SPECIALS
Southampton v. Chelsea (Wed 10:00am ET on NBCSN; St Mary’s Stadium)
Did you know that no Chelsea striker has scored a Premier League away goal since December 2012?
Bananas. Also why Southampton pulls this one off.
Southampton 2 Chelsea 1
Crystal Palace v. Norwich City (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Selhurst Park)
Selhurst Park, where the shirtless Holmesdale Fanatics bounce and sing throughout thick and thin, is the key to Palace’s rise from the relegation ashes. They’ve won two and drawn one of their last four matches and on Wednesday, expect the points to keep coming the Eagles way.
Crystal Palace 2 Norwich City 1
Fulham v. West Ham United (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Craven Cottage)
Six pointer alert! Six pointer alert!
Pundits and fans love these matches because they’re fiercely contested and highly determinative. One of the more underrated stories so far is the fact that mid-way through the season the three clubs in the relegation zone were all in the top-flight last year.
But there Fulham, West Ham and Sunderland sit, looking up at teams like Palace, Hull and Cardiff. Craziness. Someone needs a victory.
Fulham 1 West Ham 0
Sunderland v. Aston Villa (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Stadium of Light)
They might be bottom of the table but Sunderland are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games. Granted only one of those was a win but still, Gus Poyet has this squad in a good place. I’ve been calling on them to win a lot recently, no reason to stop now.
Sunderland 1 Aston Villa 0
SQUEAKY BUM TIME
Stoke City v. Everton (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Britannia Stadium)
It wasn’t but one month ago when Everton ripped Stoke 4-0 at Goodison Park but a lot can change in that time. For example, since then the Potters managed home wins over both Aston Villa and Chelsea meaning Roberto Martinez’ men better be up for this one. There will be blood.
Stoke City 0 Everton 1
Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur (Wed 12:30pm ET on NBCSN; Old Trafford)
‘Tis the season for Premier League games and ‘tis the season for injuries. Spurs will be without Paulinho, Jan Vertonghen, Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Andros Townsend while United are likely without Wayne Rooney and definitely without Robin van Persie, Marouane Fellaini, Nani, Phil Jones and Rafael.
Which means we can all look forward to the spine-tingling battle guaranteed to ensue between Chicharito and Michael Dawson! Oh well, I tried.
Manchester United 1 Tottenham 1
CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
Swansea City v. Manchester City (Wed 7:45am ET on NBCSN; Liberty Stadium)
Nothing revolutionary here - with City’s eight match unbeaten streak and Swansea’s loss of Michel Vorm and Michu, the Swans are dead in the water.
Swansea City 1 Manchester City 4
Arsenal v. Cardiff City (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Emirates Stadium)
Arsenal may have injuries galore but that doesn’t really change the fact that Cardiff have the 16th worst road record and are still swimming in controversy following the sacking of Malky Mackay. Someone needs to cut the Bluebirds a break but don’t plan on it being the Gunners.
Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 0
Liverpool v. Hull City (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; Anfield)
Revenge is a dish best served cold. And you can bet after being embarrassed 1-3 by Hull at the KC Stadium on December 1st, Stevie G (set to return) and the boys are going to be ruthless on Wednesday.
Liverpool 3 Hull City 0
West Bromwich Albion v. Newcastle United (Wed 10:00am ET on Live Extra; The Hawthorns)
Despite a looming suspension by the Football Association and major media backlash following his quenelle salute, Nicolas Anelka is set to play on New Years Day. Just another reminder that when it comes to English Football, there is no such thing as a PR move.
And with Shane Long and Big Vic Anichebe both injured, they’ll need the French international if the Baggies are to have any hope of nipping a point off of Newcastle. Which they don’t.
West Brom 1 Newcastle 3