The midweek set of matches were completed on Wednesday with a mixed bag of results.
The title race looks to be now just a two-horse race between the Manchester clubs again but the race for fourth place and the battle to stay in the Premier League are bound to have plenty of twists and turns.
November’s duty is complete and it leads us into December and a congested fixture period for all 20 Premier League sides.
Barring any weather cancellations, all clubs will be playing six games in just over four weeks and there is set to be some superb Christmas crackers to look forward to.
Total Football’s Simon Wright picks out 10 fantastic festive fixtures to look out for in the coming month.
Saturday, 1 December – QPR v Aston Villa
December begins with a massive battle at the bottom between two sides who have spectacularly underperformed so far this season.
This is Harry Redknapp’s first home game in charge and he will be searching for the Hoops first win of a desperate league campaign so far.
Villa will give it everything but are notable poor away travellers and you can’t help but feel that if QPR don’t win this game (action from last season pictured), everything will look grimmer for Redknapp and the fans.
Saturday, 1 December – Manchester City v Everton
Roberto Mancini’s bogey team is Everton.
The Toffees are drawing a lot of games at the moment but will have happy memories of the Etihad. They won here in December 2010, and were the last team to triumph in the Premier League at Eastlands.
City are not playing well but remain unbeaten and will get better as the season progresses.
Mancini has lost five of the six meetings against David Moyes since coming to England; he will want to stop that unwanted record at the weekend.
Sunday, 9 December – Manchester City v Manchester United
This is the game of the season and you can be sure that there will be no Christmas cards or presents exchanged between the players.
The Manchester derby has turned into the biggest spectacle in England, between the two sides that have a firm command on the destiny of the Premier League.
The champions will want to show their intent of keeping hold of the prize. United’s message will be: ‘We want our title back.’
The clash won’t be decisive in terms of the result but it could be massive in terms of the psychology in how this title race will shape up.
Sunday, 9 December – Everton v Tottenham
On the same day as the Manchester meeting, two sides who will be leading contenders in the battle for fourth place tackle each other at Goodison Park.
Andre Villas-Boas has had a shaky start in north London but he is getting his side playing now and back-to-back league victories have steadied the ship at White Hart Lane.
If Tottenham want to mount a top four challenge, they must collect points out of games like these against one of their expected rivals for the position.
Saturday, 15 December – Newcastle United v Manchester City
The tricky games keep on coming for Manchester City. Just 10 days before Christmas, they visit an injury-stricken Newcastle side.
The Magpies have 10 senior players out at present and have lost their last four Premier League matches.
You can be sure though that Alan Pardew’s men will be motivated for this encounter and a victory over the champions would be the perfect tonic for the manager and the disappointed fans on Tyneside.
Monday, 17 December – Reading v Arsenal
The Capital One Cup tie between these sides in October was quite simply extraordinary. Defending levels were non-existent and attacking play was a joy to watch.
I think we can safely say that there won’t be 12 goals in this rematch in the Premier League but the final MNF of 2011 promises goals and plenty of action.
Reading need the win for their survival bid and Arsenal will aim for three points in their quest for the top four.
It has all the makings to be a Christmas classic.
Sunday, 23 December – Swansea City v Manchester United
Christmas spirit will be put on hold in Wales for Swansea as they host Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United two days before Christmas Day.
Swansea have turned the Liberty Stadium into a fortress. Not many sides win here – United only just about sneaked a 1-0 success last November on their last visit here.
Michael Laudrup has got the Swans playing the way he wants them to and United can’t underestimate the opposition here.
As proven by their recent defeat at Norwich, anyone can beat anyone on their day in the Premier League.
Boxing Day – Arsenal v West Ham United
While we all enjoy our presents, the Christmas music and the turkey, London rivalry and pride is at stake on Boxing Day at the Emirates.
Arsenal need to stamp their authority, especially as they are at home but West Ham have no fear of playing on the road and keep picking up excellent results. QPR and Newcastle can vouch for that.
The Hammers were the first winners in Premier League history at the Emirates and they will be planning to have a nasty surprise up their sleeves ready for Arsene Wenger over the festive period.
Boxing Day – Stoke City v Liverpool
Boxing Day always can throw up a surprise and one of the standout clashes is an encounter between two sides with vastly different playing styles.
Long ball specialists Stoke host a free-flowing Liverpool team who seem happy to create countless chances without scoring them.
Tony Pulis has got his side playing after an unspectacular beginning to the campaign and historically, Liverpool don’t do very well against them.
Three points here for Brendan Rodgers would have to be seen as a real bonus.
Sunday, 30 December – Everton v Chelsea
One of the final Premier League matches to take place in 2012 will see Everton face Chelsea at Goodison Park.
Rafa Benitez is already under pressure from many sections of the media and the Blues supporters.
Everton supporters won’t forget his previous association with Liverpool, especially when he called them a ‘small club’ back in 2007.
If the Londoners want to stand any hope of staying in touch with the Manchester clubs, victory on Merseyside is paramount.
By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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