With international football put to bed until Spring, Sky Sports sets the ball rolling with a bumper set of fixtures from the Barclays Premier League and Sky Bet Championship as we close in on the festive period.
Brentford v Fulham - Friday, 7:30pm, Sky Sports 1HD
Friday night’s offering from the Championship serves up a west London derby, with a resurgent Fulham making the short trip to Griffin Park.
Brentford in action at Millwall last weekend
Kit Symons’ permanent appointment as manager has, unsurprisingly, coincided with The Cottagers enjoying an upturn in fortunes. They are unbeaten in their last six league games and could mount a last-ditch challenge for the play-offs, when relegation looked the likelier.
But in Mark Warburton’s Brentford they come up against a side on a fine run of form themselves. Having won their last three games, the latest of which being an enthralling 3-2 encounter at Millwall, the Bees will be looking to secure more points as they pursue a second promotion in as many seasons.
Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Saturday, 12pm, Sky Sports 1HD
It’s been two months since Sheffield Wednesday last registered a victory in the Championship, and what better place to get that illusive win than at the John Smith’s Stadium in a Yorkshire derby.
Stuart Gray’s Wednesday need to get into the habit of scoring goals and killing off games having endured a lengthly run of frustrating draws.
Saturday’s early kick-off sees Chris Powell's men looking to recover from two successive defeats after an impressive start to life back in the managerial hot seat.
Arsenal v Manchester United - Saturday, 4:45pm, Sky Sports 1HD
The Emirates Stadium sees one of the biggest rivalries in Premier League history, Arsenal against Manchester United, kick off another stellar weekend of top-flight action.
After the nervy encounters of last season, a string of summer arrivals, most notably Alexis Sanchez and Angel di Maria, surely means we have another classic on the cards.
Danny Welbeck has gone in the opposite direction to that of Robin van Persie - switching allegiances and adding spice to a tie which rarely needs any building up.
Just a point and a place separate the two sides who have stuttered at the start of this campaign, and both Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal will have targeted victory on Saturday night. Good news for us!
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Sunday, 12:30pm, Sky Sports 1HD
Dejected Luiz Suarez after shock comeback ended Liverpool's title hopes
Super Sunday kicks off with a repeat of one of the iconic games from last season – or any Premier League season for that matter. Just six months after a 3-3 draw all-but handed Manchester City the title, Brendan Rodgers takes his team back to Selhurst Park with the circumstances vastly different this time round.
Liverpool travel to south-east London looking to kick-start their campaign after a turgid start to life without Luis Suarez. Things have changed in the home dressing room also, most notably the arrival of Neil Warnock in place of Tony Pulis.
Palace’s inconsistent form has mirrored that of their opponents and who’s to say we couldn’t see another six goals this weekend?
Hull City v Spurs - Sunday, 3:30pm, Sky Sports 1HD
Emmanuel Adebayor was quoted as saying he wished Tottenham could play away from White Hart Lane after the intense scrutiny directed towards his team after a dismal run of home games. Well how about a trip to the KC Stadium?
With neither Mauricio Pochettino or Steve Bruce’s men finding any real form this season, both are in need of some valuable points. Paulinho’s late screamer spared the visitors in the corresponding fixture last season and each side will be hoping to go one better this time round as they prepare for the busy festive period.
Aston Villa v Southampton - Monday, 7pm, Sky Sports 1HD
Villa entertain Southampton
Second-placed Southampton travel to Villa Park on Monday night in a game which shows the contrast in fortunes of two of the teams tipped for relegation this season.
Having won eight of their last nine games, Ronald Koeman’s men have leaders Chelsea in their sights. But who’s to say Villa, who have lost six in seven, can’t stop the rot and cause an upset?
Join Ed Chamberlin, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, as always, as they dissect all the weekend’s major talking points from what is set to be yet another enthralling weekend of football.
