By January 3, we ought to be that little bit closer to knowing how the Premier League’s top six are shaping up.
Manchester United have thrown a spanner in the works with the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who takes charge for the first time against former employers Cardiff City this weekend.
First, Liverpool will kick-off a frantic set of fixtures over the Christmas and New Year period when they travel to Wolves on Friday night.
Which of the big boys has the hardest run-in? Liverpool and City arguably have the most intense group of games, as neither can afford to give the other an inch in the title race.
Spurs and Chelsea, meanwhile, will look to consolidate their place in the top four.
Taking into account opponents and their league placings, as well as the gaps between games, and the distances travelled door-to-door to away games, their respective pile-ups make interesting reading.
Liverpool
Number of games: Four
Opponents: Wolves, Newcastle, Arsenal, Manchester City
Premier League placing of their opponents: 7th, 14th, 5th, 2nd
Average hours between games: 72
Total Distance travelled to away games: 122 miles
Manchester City
Number of games: Four
Opponents: Crystal Palace, Leicester, Southampton, Liverpool
Premier League placing of their opponents: 15th, 12th, 17th, 1st
Average hours between games: 73
Total Distance travelled to away games: 326 miles
Tottenham Hotspur
Number of games: Four
Opponents: Everton, Bournemouth, Wolves, Cardiff
Premier League placing of their opponents: 8th, 11th, 7th, 16th
Average hours between games: 54
Total Distance travelled to away games: 360