Festive TV Guide: 5 most intriguing games and why

Plenty of title race drama on TV over the Christmas break.

CHRISTMAS PAST: Joelinton of Newcastle United scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 30 last year. The teams meet again today in a fixture that will offer up open football and plenty of goals. Pic: Stu Forster/Getty

St Stephen's Day: Manchester United v Newcastle United, 8pm, Sky Sports 

Ever since Kevin Keegan’s ‘I would love it’ rant, aimed at Sir Alex Ferguson in 1996 when both sides were chasing the title, this fixture has had an extra edge – and it often provides exciting football The reality is that Newcastle have won only three times at Old Trafford in 32 games but they may well be seen as favourites this time.

The Magpies won 2-0 at the Theatre of Dreams last year (with goals from Isak and Joelinton) having also won 4-1 at home; and this looks like a festive fixture that will offer up open football and plenty of goals.

Anyone for a repeat of United 4 Bournemouth 4? Don’t rule it out.

It’s worth mentioning that this is, controversially, he only Premier League fixture scheduled on St Stephen’s Day this year – so even if United are not your team, tune in for the drama all the same.

Saturday, December 27: Liverpool v Wolves, 3pm, Premier Sports 

Liverpool’s painful season so far, in complete contrast to last year’s title waltz, has to right itself at some stage – and winless Wolves are the perfect opportunity to get back on track at Anfield.

The expectation is that Arne Slot’s side will give their home fans a Christmas treat with a flurry of goals, having scored only seven in their previous seven fixtures at Anfield.

On the other hand, Wolves, still suffering from a 2-0 defeat home to Brentford, believe they are due a break – having come so close to winning at Arsenal just days earlier.

Whether this is a jamboree for the Kop or a Wolves shock and another Slot nightmare, there are headlines ready to be written. Definitely one to watch on a day when Arsenal host Brighton and Manchester City go to Nottingham Forest.

Tuesday, December 30: Arsenal v Aston Villa, 8.15pm, Sky Sports 

Who would have thought after Villa’s poor start to the season that they would later become Arsenal’s biggest title rival alongside Manchester City? There’s genuine belief in the Midlands that Villa are good enough to challenge at the Emirates, where Arsenal haven’t lost yet this season - especially as former Arsenal manager Unai Emery seems to have their number.

“Right now, they are in the title race,” said former Arsenal and Villa forward Paul Merson recently on Sky Sports. “But will they be there are the end of the season? I don’t think so; their squad is not big enough.” 

That should light the touch paper. It could be closer than Merson predicts – and with Manchester City not playing until the next day, away to Sunderland, the pressure is on.

New Year's Day: Brentford v Tottenham, 8pm, Sky Sports

Not every fixture has to be about the title (or about relegation). Sometimes the back story just makes it a fascinating one.

This game fits that mould as Thomas Frank, the manager who spent seven years at Brentford and who took them to the Premier League, returns for the first time since moving to Tottenham in search of a bigger club and a chance to win trophies.

Nobody at the Gtech begrudged Frank that opportunity and he will be welcomed back with open arms on what will be an emotional occasion.

But what makes it such a fascinating watch is that Frank’s dream at Spurs is wobbling. After losing at home to Liverpool, and having two men sent off, they went into Christmas below Brentford in the table – even though the Bees shocked everyone by putting rookie manager Keith Andrews when Frank departed.

The tabloid headline writers smell a story- and there’s plenty of Irish interest with Andrews, Nathan Collins and Caoimhin Kelleher all on show.

Sunday, January 4: Leeds v Manchester United, 12.30pm, TNT Sports (and Manchester City v Chelsea for a last treat at 5.30pm on Sky Sports) 

This is a rivalry a lot of people have been looking forward to seeing again. The battle of the roses, Yorkshire against Lancashire, has always been fierce, often frighteningly so, and Elland Road will be rocking if they can get one over Ruben Amorim’s side.

They haven’t meet in Leeds since February 2023, when the visitors ran out 2-0 winners, only to be held 2-2 at Old Trafford two months later.

Manchester United fans still talk about 5-1 and 6-2 wins at home against the enemy, but overall, it’s been closer at Elland Road. Seven wins, four defeats, four draws so far.

If you've still got the energy after that, and want to make it six in a row, there’s one last opportunity before returning to work: Manchester City host Chelsea at 5.30pm on Sky Sports in one last potential title race twist. Job done.