Opta Stats: Aston Villa hero creates new phenomenon

Aston Villa were only shut out in one of their last six games

The "post-ban boom" and "law of the ex" explain why goals await Christian Benteke and Joleon Lescott on Boxing Day...

All of these matches are at 15:00 on Boxing Day

Burnley v Liverpool

Danny Ings has been involved in 50% of Burnley's Premier League goals so far this season

Liverpool's results away to clubs of Burnley's profile - either recently promoted or potentially soon-to-be - have been better than their results against near enough everyone else this term: 3-1 wins over Leicester and Bournemouth and a 3-2 against QPR. However, you'll notice the recurring lack of clean sheets, which is something that Ings - with four goals in the past two months - is capable of exploiting. Only Charlie Austin has been involved in a higher percentage of his team's goals.

Recommended Bet: Back Ings to score @ 3.39/4

Man United v Newcastle (BT Sport 1)

Robin van Persie scored six and assisted three in his last eight Premier League starts against Newcastle

Opta helpfully point out that Wayne Rooney has fired five successive blanks against Newcastle, while it is unclear how frequently Radamel Falcao will feature over Christmas given his injury issues this year, so van Persie looks like the man who punters should be focussed on. The Dutch attacker has bagged four times in his latest five appearances, as well as in four of his previous six at Old Trafford.

Recommended Bet: Back van Persie to score @ 2.01/1

Swansea v Aston Villa

Christian Benteke has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Swansea

You've all heard the saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but what about this one: suspension makes the feet get sharper? Benteke has been proving that recently. The Belgian forward marked his comeback from a long-term injury with four goalless outings, got sent off in the last of those and then returned from his ban this month in far better form, notching twice in four games. That represented 50% of Aston Villa's attacking output in that period.

Recommended Bet: Back Benteke to score @ 3.55/2

West Brom v Man City

Joleon Lescott has scored in two of his last three Premier League matches against Man City

With Man City suffering the sort of Boxing Day striker shortage which rarely affects the public transport industry and West Brom averaging a goal a game despite their struggles, this column is investing in the law of the ex. The stats hint that a West Brom defender is as likely to ripple the net as a striker. Nobody besides Saido Berahino - a substitute in the past three fixtures - has netted more than twice, and it is benched centre back Craig Dawson who is next on that list.

Recommended Bet: Back Lescott to score @ 17.016/1