Predict the Premier League: Stoke enjoy a great festive period

Shock defeats to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United over the festive period cost our pundits some crucial points, but there were still plenty to pick up in the fight to be crowned the top pundit of 2011/12.

Leading the way as usual was Stoke City's Phil Eccleston. He picked up the highest points total of 26 over the period from Boxing Day to January 5, but was closely followed by Everton's Chris Goodwin and Manchester United's Peter Lee on 23 with Swansea City's Jim White on 22. Those totals helped Everton and Swansea move away from the bottom three and kept Manchester United in pursuit of the leader.

It wasn't such a good Christmas and New Year for Bolton's Dave Blackburn, QPR's Arjun Swiminathan and Tottenham's Mike Richards. Dave Blackburn went into Christmas on a high following a crucial win over Blackburn but then lost to Newcastle at home. Things got worse when it was revealed that the club had agreed a fee with Chelsea for defender Gary Cahill. However, despite his low points total, Dave will be pleased to see Bolton beat Everton and boost their survival hopes.

Arjun Swiminathan collected just nine points, a tally which failed to include one single correct outcome. And Mike Richards will surely pass up on points in this competition if it means Spurs can continue their title challenge.

Special mentions must go out to Manchester City's Callum Rothwell who was the only pundit to tip Wolves to draw at Arsenal 1-1, Everton's Chris Goodwin who predicted Newcastle would beat Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok and Newcastle's Michael Stout for tipping Stoke and Aston Villa to record a goalless draw in the Boxing Day fixtures.

Wolves fan Chris Cox was the only pundit who predicted Liverpool would beat Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield, Arsenal's Don McMahon knew his Gunners would struggle against QPR and his 1-0 prediction came true, as did his 1-0 home win for Sunderland over the leaders Manchester City. Manchester United fan Peter Lee also has to thank Everton's Victor Anichebe for scoring the Toffee's late winner at West Brom for one of his maximum results.

And finally well done Swansea's Jim White who has Fulham's Bobby Zamora to thank for his late winner over Arsenal to seal his 2-1 prediction.

Here is a break down of the points from Boxing Day to January 5.

To see how these points have affected the overall table, click here