Key events
A quick look at today’s Premier League fixtures. Plenty of intrigue in that lot. Predictions?
12:30 Leeds v Man Utd
15:00 Everton v Brentford
15:00 Fulham v Liverpool
15:00 Newcastle v Crystal Palace
15:00 Tottenham v Sunderland
17:30 Man City v Chelsea
Time to cast our eyes to the Championship where there’s (nearly) a full programme. Leicester host West Brom on Monday night but everyone else is in action today and one of the three 12pm kick-offs features runaway leaders Coventry. It’s a spicy one as Frank Lampard’s men are away to Birmingham in a Midlands derby. The hosts are down in 17th but in the mad world that is the Championship, Birmingham are only nine points adrift of the play-off spots. Coventry have lost just one of their last 10 games against Birmingham although they did lose this fixture 3-0 last season.
How about some league tables to give that all a bit of context and see how the land lies ahead of today’s action. It’s looking good for Arsenal while West Ham fans will surely be clogging phone-in lines today. Are you a Hammers fan with something to say? Get in touch!
Is this now a genuine three-horse title race in Scotland? Hearts have a healthy six-point lead although they were hardly convincing when scoring a 1-0 home win over bottom club Livingston yesterday.
There was plenty of drama on Saturday so let’s check in with that first. Arsenal shipped a daft early goal at Bournemouth before hitting back to win 3-2 and extend their lead at the top to six points. With Manchester City hosting Chelsea in today’s 5.30pm kick-off, Aston Villa jumped to second with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
At the bottom, there were crazy scenes as Wolves picked up their first win of the season – and in some style – with a 3-0 victory over reeling West Ham. More routine was Brighton’s 2-0 home win over strugglers Burnley.
In Scotland, Wilfried Nancy still has a job it seems although the pressure ramped up further on the new Celtic boss after a 3-1 home defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm derby. That’s six defeats in eight matches for the Frenchman.
Some reports:
Preamble
Morning everyone. If you’ve got up to watch the cricket and not been able to get back to sleepy times, you’re in the right place!
Yes, we’re building up to quite the day. The beauty of a rather limited Premier League schedule on a Saturday is a bumper programme for Sunday. We have six top-flight games to get stuck into, starting with a 12.30pm kick-off between those fierce northern rivals Leeds and Manchester United.
Perhaps you’re going to a game, or maybe this is one final day of excess on the sofa, polishing off the Christmas chocolate. Either way, get in touch – matchday.live@theguardian.com – and let us know your thoughts and predictions. We’re all about the interaction.
We’ll also be reflecting on some dramatic action from Saturday and looking ahead to more last-16 ties at Afcon and some big action around Europe.
It’a s busy one. Let’s kick this into gear right now!
