There could be leapfroggery at the top of the Premier League tonight, although that would require Stoke pulling off an improbable victory at Manchester City and Manchester United eking out a win at Fulham, which is not quite so improbable but not a formality, either: there a handy side, the Cottagers, and certainly have the arsenal to expose United's defensive frailties, though possibly not the fortitude to shut the champions out. There's goals in that there game. Unlike at Goodison Park, where Everton 0-0 Swansea City has to be the nap of the season.
Elsewhere, what possibility festive cheer at what may well be the glummest ground in the country, Villa Park? The atmosphere at Blackburn may be poisonous these days but at least there's some passion – Villa Park, meanwhile, reeks of mere mould, a seemingly moribund team failing to inspire even contempt. Awful to watch, but surely a pleasure to play against, as Arsenal should show tonight, even a slightly makeshift side (Coquelin at right-back, anyone?). Meanwhile, will Wigan continue their mini-revival by making Luis Suarez's week even worse? Or will the Uruguayan finally find the finishing skills to match his otherwise superb play? "In the spirit of utilitarianism - the greatest good for the largest possible number of people - I have to second you in favouring Wigan for the drop," tubthumps Robin Hazelhurst. "As they don't have any actual fans then there will be only a small amount of misery spread around, compared to if a well-supported club like Wolves went down. And if their rugby league team do well again this season then the amount of happiness in the town will far outweigh the sadness. Just spreadin' the love..." By that reasoning, Robin will be supporting China at the next World Cup. Or would, if...