大象传媒

Manish Bhasin and guests unwrap the weekend's football fixtures on the final Saturday before the busy Christmas period and reflect on the key moments of the footballing year.

Sir Alex Ferguson said earlier in the season that Manchester United's hopes of retaining their title would depend on how they coped with their festive schedule, which sees them jetting off to Japan to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup. Can their rivals take advantage of their absence? Arsenal and Liverpool meet at the Emirates, while Aston Villa, who are hoping to break the top four's monopoly this season, could keep up their challenge with victory at West Ham.

Birmingham and Reading have both responded well to being relegated from the Premier League last season, and their Championship clash at St Andrews today could have a big impact on their chances of an immediate return to the top flight.