The English Premier League is back in business this weekend, as matchweek 12 greets the end of the last international football break of the calendar year.
With the packed winter EPL programme looming on the horizon, it also heralds the start of a crucial time of the season at both ends of the table.
The North London derby is the perfect centrepiece, as the battle between Arsenal and Tottenham lights up Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s men come into the weekend with a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, although their long winning run did finally come to an end in dramatic fashion two weeks ago.
His opposite number, Thomas Frank, is feeling a touch of heat in the Spurs dugout, with an exciting start to the season now overtaken by a run of just one win in their last four.
Sunday’s other game sees improving Aston Villa go to Elland Road to take on Leeds.
It’s been a story of progress after a difficult start for Unai Emery and Co, while their West Yorkshire hosts are scrambling to stay above the drop zone and an instant return to the second tier.
The Monday night football sees Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford in an all-north west contest.
Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are firmly in the mix as one of a clutch of teams chasing European qualification places, while David Moyes returns to his former club with his side just three points further back and showing signs of improvement.
Saturday evening sees a cracking game at St James’ Park, when Manchester City go to Newcastle.
City are emerging as the closest challengers to Arsenal at the summit as Pep Guardiola engineers another title tilt, with the home side having lost three of their last four as tension mounts on Tyneside.
Chelsea are third as they kick off the weekend in the Saturday lunchtime match away to struggling Burnley.
The Blues would go second, temporarily at least, with victory and few would bet against them to do so, as they play a Clarets teams outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
Liverpool suffered another damaging defeat at Manchester City last time out and need to put things right sharpish as Nottingham Forest come to Anfield.
Arne Slot has watched his reigning champions lose five out of six in the league and they play a Forest side who might just be turning things around, having won for the first time under new boss Sean Dyche a fortnight ago.
Sunderland have stunned the EPL since their long-awaited return via the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Regis le Bris has steered his new-look squad to fourth in the table and they now go to Fulham hunting three more points on the road at Craven Cottage.
The home side’s campaign could go either way, as they restart after the international break just a point clear of the relegation places.
Bournemouth had also been catching the eye and then some, until back-to-back losses saw them tumble out of the top four.
Andoni Iraola’s Cherries tackle improving West Ham in an intriguing Vitality Stadium clash, with the Hammers having won their last two as new coach Nuno Espirito Santo finds his feet in the capital.
Crystal Palace could mathematically rise as high as third if they can do the business at rock bottom Wolves, such is the top half congestion in this season’s top flight.
The Molineux hosts aren’t looking for a new manager bounce under Rob Edwards so much as any signs of life whatsoever, amid a thus far moribund season that has seen them collect just two points.
Moneyball wizards Brighton and Brentford are in similar shape to Palace ahead of their midtable contest at the Amex Stadium.
Both are in decent form and know victory would nudge them into the top half.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
Result prediction: Tottenham Hotspur to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Manchester United vs Everton
Result prediction: Manchester United to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Manchester United |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester United only |
Leeds United vs Aston Villa
Result prediction: Aston Villa to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / Aston Villa |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
Result prediction: Newcastle United to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Newcastle United |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
Result prediction: Crystal Palace to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Crystal Palace / Crystal Palace |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Brentford
Result prediction: Brentford to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 3.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Fulham vs Southampton
Result prediction: Southampton to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Southampton / Southampton |
| Team to Score prediction | Southampton only |
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Result prediction: Liverpool to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 3.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | West Ham / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Burnley vs Chelsea
Result prediction: Chelsea to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea |
| Team to Score prediction | Chelsea only |