South Africa 9/20 to Break Boxing Day Jinx

South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Sunfoil Test, 26 - 30 December 2011, 10:30, Kingsmead

It’s the festive season, and for me this can only mean one very important thing, Boxing Day test cricket. This time of the year is important to many people for many different reasons. For some these include the birth of Jesus Christ, the tradition of giving, and the sharing of love and joy. These things are not important right now. Right now cricket is my religion, and on Boxing Day I am prostrate, worshipping at the altar. This year sees Sri Lanka thrust under Durban’s beady eyes and sun-screened beer-bellies for the second test of the three-match series. The South Africans will be looking to dispel the tag of Kingsmead as their bogey ground and finally end the Durban Blues, having now lost their last three tests at this precious ground.

City 9/20 To Tear West Brom Apart

West Brom vs Manchester City, Monday 26th December, 17:00, The Hawthorns

The title race is hotting up as the influential Christmas period is under way. This is normally the time when champions Manchester United reign supreme and gain points on the league leaders, however their city rivals are back to their best and 2 points clear at the top of the table. The log leaders travel to The Hawthorns on Monday to face Roy Hodgson’s West Brom.

Man Utd 1/6 to Continue The Festive Cheer

Manchester United v Wigan Athletic, Monday 26th December, 17:00, Old Trafford

The English Premiership has entered the festive period and there is little time for teams to rest as there is a pile-up of fixtures. The halfway mark is also approaching rapidly and at this stage fans get a slight idea of how their respective teams are pushing along thus far. This fixture sees title contenders up against relegation battlers and both teams know how vital 3 points is for their respective courses.

India 3/1 to shock Aussies

Australia vs India, 1st Test Match, 26 - 30 December 2011, MCG

In the most eagerly anticipated series test series of the season so far, India will take on the ailing Aussies in an epic Boxing Day battle at the MCG. Australia will be looking to put the woes of the New Zealand tour behind them and gain a 1-0 advantage early on. Their batting line-up looked in tatters, and some reshuffling there may see the Aussies click. One thing Australia does have at their disposal is some talented young quicks, but they will be put to the ultimate test against an Indian batting line-up decorated with legends of the game.

Midweek Sports Preview

With Christmas just around the corner, this week we see the final round of fixtures for most European Leagues before the winter break. Of course the Premier League will continue through the festive period, with boxing day fixtures coming to you on Monday. This weeks sports-wrap focusses on EPL, Serie A, PSL, Ligue 1 and even an international friendly. So have a read, and try recoup some of those losses that come hand in hand with this time of the year. All these previews are taken from Hollywood's bi-weekly newsletter - Hollywood NewsFlash!