We head into the festive period with another mouthwatering set of English Premier League fixtures, including a critical top-of-the-table clash.
That pits Chelsea and Arsenal against each other in a London derby at Stamford Bridge, taking the spotlight on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s side are absolutely flying this season in their bid to no longer be the EPL bridesmades for the first time since the glory days of Arsene Wenger, losing only once and conceding just six goals so far.
It’s put the Gunners top of the table and six points clear of the Blues, who are in good fettle themselves.
Enzo Maresca is winning over the doubters in the west of the capital and has won three on the spin to lead the chasing pack coming into the Christmas crunch.
Four more Sunday fixtures include another two in London, kicking off with a lunchtime battle between FA Cup winners Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
The Red Devils descended back into midtable as their unbeaten sequence came to an end at Old Trafford on Monday night, while the Eagles have scooped up seven points from their last possible nine to put themselves right in the mix for European qualification once again.
An Olympian task might just await reigning champions Liverpool, meanwhile, when they travel to the London Stadium to play West Ham.
Yet another defensive horror show at Anfield last Saturday made it six league defeats as their title defence crumbles, overseen by an increasingly perplexed Arne Slot.
It’s the wrong time to be playing the Hammers, too, with new boss Nuno Espirito Santo starting to get a tune out of them, with two wins in their last unbeaten three hauling them out of the relegation zone.
There’s even a West Midlands derby to go at and the away side need their new manager bounce to kick in sharpish.
Rob Edwards returned to Molineux to much fanfare just over a week ago – and nearly as much rage as he jumped ship from Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough.
He now takes his rock bottom Wolves across the Black Country to Aston Villa, who have won four of their last five in the league to sit fourth under the canny charge of Unai Emery.
Nottingham Forest and Brighton round off Sunday’s action when they meet at the City Ground.
Sean Dyche could hardly have been prouder as a 3-0 win at Liverpool made it two on the bounce for him back at his boyhood club, but it’ll be a tricky task on the banks of the River Trent against the Seagulls, who are finally finding some serious form following an awkward start.
Five Saturday Premier League matches build towards another London derby as Tottenham go up against Fulham in the late fixture.
Thomas Frank is in increasing need of a win as his Spurs side plunge down the EPL standings, while their visitors have won two of their last three to keep their heads above relegation waters.
Manchester City are right in the title hunt, despite losing for the fourth time this season last weekend, prompting boss Pep Guardiola into a bizarre altercation with a cameraman.
They now have limping Leeds in their sights, in a cross-Pennine contest that the visitors need unlikely points from if they are to stand any chance of climbing out of the relegation zone.
Everton and Newcastle meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for an absorbing late kick off.
David Moyes was thrilled as his side beat old club Manchester United on Monday, while Toon Army chief Eddie Howe was equally chuffed with his own team’s humbling of Manchester City at St James’ Park.
Surprise packages Sunderland and Bournemouth are eyeing the top four as they go head-to-head on Wearside.
The pair are locked on 19 points apiece and are both looking to end their first tricky spell of the season, having each gone three without a win heading into their Stadium of Light showdown.
Brentford and Burnley wrap up the Premier League programme in west London, with the Bees ticking along nicely under rookie boss Keith Andrews despite losing two of their last three.
Scott Parker’s Clarets are firmly in a battle for survival, though, with three straight defeats leaving them above only sorry Wolves and in danger of an immediate return to the second tier.
Manchester City vs Leeds United
Result prediction: Manchester City to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester City only |
Brentford vs Burnley
Result prediction: Brentford to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Sunderland vs AFC Bournemouth
Result prediction: Sunderland to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Sunderland / Sunderland |
| Team to Score prediction | Sunderland only |
Everton vs Newcastle United
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Everton / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham
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 |
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Result prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brighton / Brighton |
| Team to Score prediction | Brighton only |
Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
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 | Aston Villa only |
West Ham United vs Liverpool
Result prediction: Liverpool to win
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Result prediction: Draw
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Crystal Palace / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |