The Premier League shoots up in intensity yet again this weekend, as the English top flight rolls into a packed festive period over December and January.
It’s all to play for over the next two days, with a full midweek EPL programme to follow.
Manchester City and Tottenham play out a fascinating contest when they wrap up Sunday’s action at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s a mark of Spurs’ outstanding start to life under popular Australian coach Ange Postecoglou that they sit just three points shy of the reigning champions despite losing their last three.
Pep Guardiola’s usually well-oiled machine has played a part in that, mind you, slipping to draws in their last two to add plenty of intrigue to the title race.
That means Arsenal top the Premier League table by a point as we rattle into December.
The Gunners kick off the weekend in the Saturday lunchtime fixture at home to Wolves, who are the latest side attempting to gain something from an Emirates Stadium that is becoming a fortress for the Londoners.
St James’ Park plays host to the Saturday night match, meanwhile, as Newcastle and Manchester United aim to tee up a crackling atmosphere in the frozen north east of the country.
Both have suffered the anguish of dramatic draws in the Uefa Champions League this week, with a top six EPL berth up for grabs for the pair ahead of the packed winter schedule.
Sunday sees plenty more high end drama, as Chelsea tackle tricky customers Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Seagulls are four unbeaten in the league and also prolonged their maiden European adventure in the week, while Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues continue to stutter on the domestic front.
Liverpool have lost just once this season under the evergreen Jurgen Klopp and have a home match with Fulham next on their agenda.
The Reds are out to solidify their top four credentials at Anfield, while they could even go top of the standings with a bit of luck elsewhere.
West Ham host a capital city derby at the London Stadium as well, as Crystal Palace make the short trip north of the river Thames.
David Moyes’ Hammers are seeking a third win on the spin, while veteran boss Roy Hodgson is in need of consistency from his Eagles side.
The immense form of Aston Villa means that they too are within striking distance of the top of the Premier League, as they go to Bournemouth.
Unfortunately for Unai Emery’s Villans, they play a south coast side that are finally starting to get their act together, winning three of their last four.
Elsewhere on Saturday, there’s high drama to be had at the wrong end of the EPL table.
Everton are still reeling from their points deduction, which they appealed this week yet still sees them mired back in the relegation zone.
Nottingham Forest is the destination for Sean Dyche and Co, with the home side having won only three times this campaign.
The drop zone’s other two teams, promoted pair Burnley and Sheffield United, meet for a six-pointer at Turf Moor.
Only a point separates the duo, who both have by far the worst goal difference statistics in the division ahead of what feels like a critical contest.
Luton are just the right side of the dotted line and collected their second win since promotion last time out.
The Hatters go to Brentford full of confidence, then, while their hosts are wobbling again having lost their last two.
English Premier League predictions for 2 – 3 December
Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result prediction Arsenal to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / Arsenal to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction L. Trossard(Arsenal)
E. Nketiah(Arsenal)
Brentford v Luton Town
Result prediction Brentford to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Brentford / Brentford to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Burnley v Sheffield United
Result prediction Sheffield United to win
Over/Under prediction under 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / Sheffield United to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Nottingham Forest v Everton
Result prediction Nottingham Forest to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / Nottingham Forest to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Result prediction Newcastle United to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Newcastle United / Newcastle United to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction C. Wilson(Newcastle United)
A. Gordon(Newcastle United)
AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Result prediction draw
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / draw
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction D. Solanke(AFC Bournemouth)
M. Tavernier(AFC Bournemouth)
O. Watkins(Aston Villa)
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Result prediction Chelsea to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Chelsea / Chelsea to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction R. Sterling(Chelsea)
C. Palmer(Chelsea)
N. Jackson(Chelsea)
Liverpool v Fulham
Result prediction Liverpool to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Liverpool / Liverpool to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction Mohamed Salah(Liverpool)
West Ham United v Crystal Palace
Result prediction West Ham United to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / West Ham United to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction J. Bowen(West Ham United)
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Result prediction Manchester City to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Manchester City / Manchester City to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction E. Haaland(Manchester City)
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley
Result prediction Wolverhampton Wanderers to win
Over/Under prediction under 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Wolverhampton Wanderers / Wolverhampton Wanderers to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Luton Town v Arsenal
Result prediction Arsenal to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Arsenal / Arsenal to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction L. Trossard(Arsenal)
E. Nketiah(Arsenal)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford
Result prediction draw
Over/Under prediction under 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Brighton & Hove Albion / draw
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Fulham v Nottingham Forest
Result prediction Nottingham Forest to win
Over/Under prediction under 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Nottingham Forest / Nottingham Forest to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction n/a
Sheffield United v Liverpool
Result prediction Liverpool to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Liverpool / Liverpool to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction Mohamed Salah(Liverpool)
Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth
Result prediction AFC Bournemouth to win
Over/Under prediction under 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction draw / AFC Bournemouth to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction D. Solanke(AFC Bournemouth)
M. Tavernier(AFC Bournemouth)
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Result prediction draw
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Manchester City / draw
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction O. Watkins(Aston Villa)
E. Haaland(Manchester City)
Manchester United v Chelsea
Result prediction Chelsea to win
Over/Under prediction over 2.5 goals
HT / FT prediction Chelsea / Chelsea to win
Team to Score prediction both teams
Anytime Goalscorer prediction R. Sterling(Chelsea)
C. Palmer(Chelsea)
N. Jackson(Chelsea)