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This observation feels a bit too relatable for my liking. The holiday season is always about football first, fir trees second.
Supporters face a tricky balance for football supporters. Is it possible to keep the necessary eye on our club while showing appropriate enthusiasm for presents, holiday meals, and family events...? We'll give it a damned good try! Apologies, could you repeat that...?
Manchester United Pursue Rúben Neves and Conor Gallagher
The Red Devils are searching for a midfielder. This likely isn't positive for Kobbie Mainoo… with two ex-English top-flight players are targeted by Ruben Amorim’s side.
Newcastle v Chelsea Fixture Analysis
Newcastle v Chelsea at 12.30pm is a great way to start the day’s action. Eddie Howe’s side occupy 12th place and Enzo Maresca’s men sit fourth. Only six points separate them, given Newcastle's strong home form set to provide a stern test for the Blues.
The home side could be hindered, however, due to a lengthy list of unavailable defenders. Tino Livramento has joined Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier and goalkeeper Nick Pope on the treatment table, with Lewis Hall also a doubt.
Even so, and even with the manager stating he was “falling more in love with [his players” earlier this week, it's unwise to predict an easy Chelsea win at St James’ Park. Will the coach decide on a regular forward line? Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench during the midweek cup tie to score appearing as candidates to start this one.
Forecasting results like Newcastle v Chelsea in the current campaign has proven exceptionally tough.
Debate Over Elite Footballers
Observations show considerable debate among fans regarding rankings of the world's best… such lists are inherently opinion-based, of course. One thing you cannot argue with is Ousmane Dembélé’s place at the top.
10 Things to Look Out For
10 things to look out for: From pressure on Scott Parker at Burnley, to Wolves’ long search for a win, to calls for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the national team setup, everything is covered.
Weekend Football Recap
For those who didn't see late drama unfolded during the Welsh derby. The shot-stopper presented Swansea with the win in the 90th minute when he dropped Ben Cabango’s header straight to the substitute. The Swans substitute was left with a tap-in to score to make it 2-1.
An early Christmas present from the Arsenal academy graduate, incidentally, and local supremacy for Swansea.
The manager guided his team to a draw ending a poor run, although he said the 1-1 draw at Crewe was disappointing given the home side had 10 men for most of the game. In the fourth tier, Cambridge United jumped into the playoff spots thanks to a victory against Accrington Stanley while Cheltenham won at struggling Barrow.
Northampton strolled to a comfortable victory in the third division.
Over in Germany, the derby was won 2-0 by Dortmund, with a late Beier goal to defeat Gladbach after Julian Brandt struck early on.
Introduction
Good morning all and welcome to another live football coverage. Saturday is here meaning pre-match excitement! And we can safely call it a bumper day of action featuring eight Premier League games, kicking off with Newcastle v Chelsea at 12.30pm, heading into the four 3pm kick-offs, the evening fixture, and then two 8pm games: Everton v Arsenal and Leeds v Crystal Palace (all times GMT).
Additionally, there's a complete card of games in the Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two, plus lower down the pyramids and in Spain, Germany and beyond too. It's a feast.
As always with matchday lives, we welcome your interaction, so let me know your predictions for the day ahead, thoughts on 2025 in general as it concludes, or your plans for a day of festive footy-ball. Should be fun!
