The European winter schedule is upon us as we embark into December, and Saturday's early kick-off between Premier League leaders Chelsea and Manchester City headlines a Week 14 schedule packed with promising fixtures.
The Blues travel to the Etihad Stadium knowing a three-point haul would keep them at the table's summit, and after winning their last seven successive league games, manager Antonio Conte's men look capable of doing just that.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be tested by West Ham United at the Olympic Stadium in their London derby clash before Liverpool and Manchester United are in action on Sunday, away to Bournemouth and Everton, respectively.
Sunderland are also hoping to get back on the winners' board when they play host to champions Leicester City on Saturday, while Southampton go in search of their second away win of the season at Crystal Palace.
Read on for a breakdown of the Week 14 fixture schedule, complete with predictions of who will come out on top and a preview of the biggest matches on hand.
Chelsea Keep Up Pace at the Etihad
Seven league wins on the bounce, and all of a sudden, Chelsea look like serious title contenders under Conte. More so, a win over Pep Guardiola's City side at the Etihad would be just about the biggest statement they could look to make to that end.
The west Londoners have found their rhythm under the tutelage of their Italian chief and his preferred 3-4-3 formation, and OptaJoe identified new ground has been broken with Conte in charge:
On the other hand, City have been out of sorts recently, and despite going their last six games unbeaten, Guardiola's side came close to seeing that streak crumble in their 2-1 win away at Burnley on Saturday.
In 13 Premier League games under the Spaniard, Manchester City have managed to keep just two clean sheets, although Guardiola insisted prior to the Burnley win that he's content with his defence, per Goal's Sam Lee:
I am so happy about all my players. Normally the full-backs always play out and sometimes they try to play inside. It is new for them and new for us. Sometimes they need more time.
Some of them have the specific qualities to do that, for some of them it is more difficult. All of them, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Pablo [Maffeo], I am satisfied by their performance.
Unfortunately for the ex-Barcelona boss, he's set to encounter former Atletico Madrid marvel Diego Costa for the first time in England, while Chelsea's wingers have made them a menace in attack this season.
With captain Vincent Kompany sidelined by a knee injury, per BBC Sport, City's back line could be overwhelmed by Chelsea's free-flowing forwards, while Sergio Aguero may struggle to break down a stingy Blues defence.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea
Everton Stump United to Share Spoils
Manchester United's 1-1 result at home to West Ham United on Sunday meant the Red Devils have now drawn back-to-back games for the second time this season, and Everton are sure to sense some degree of vulnerability.
Again, manager Jose Mourinho changed up his starting XI by bringing Jesse Lingard in at the expense of captain Wayne Rooney, but Jamaica sprinter and acclaimed fan Usain Bolt told CNN this may be the cause of the club's concerns:
But Everton are having their own share of problems at present and will look to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat they suffered against Southampton on Sunday, where manager Ronald Koeman told BBC Sport (h/t Goal's Stefan Coerts) finishing was a big issue:
Obviously after they scored within the first minute, they will then drop back, defend and wait for the counter and that is what they did.
Having said that, I cannot complain about our second half, but if you do not score, you cannot win. We had good chances but they had better chances to score and our start was really poor.
We know Saints are a good team, they play in Europe and have very good players. Their system has not changed much, the goalkeeper and defensive players are the same and are still strong.
The silver lining for the Toffees is that they're yet to lose at home this season, winning 12 of their 19 Premier League points at Goodison Park, although they've managed to score more than one goal in just two of those six games.
One positive for Everton is the news United could be without Mourinho as he risks a touchline ban after kicking a water bottle against West Ham, per the Sun's Wally Downes Jr., and the Red Devils may again struggle to bag maximum points.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Manchester United