Pivotal point in the top flight
Arsenal's hopes of going the whole league season unbeaten were proved to be premature last weekend - and their grip on the top spot is looking increasingly precarious.
Middlesbrough inflicted the Gunners' first domestic defeat at the Riverside in a match that even Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal didn't deserve to win. Arsenal spent much of the first half of the season with a game in hand, but recent slip-ups mean they are only one point clear of Manchester United, with both teams having played 16 games.
The leaders now have a busy few weeks, with matches in the Premier League, Carling Cup and FA Cup scattered throughout the festive period. The top four are all in action on Sunday, 16 December, when Arsenal host Chelsea (SS1, 3.30pm) and Manchester United travel to Liverpool (SS1, 1.00pm).
The gap between the leaders and the following group is narrowing at an interesting point in the season, just ahead of the transfer window. Matches over the next few weeks might prove crucial in the jostle to start the new year in first place.
Arsenal will be keen to extend their lead again, but have the small matter of a Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Blackburn Rovers to contend with two days after their Sunday clash against Chelsea. The Gunners travel to Ewood Park to try and book a place in the semis on Tuesday, 18 December (SS1, 7.30pm).
As well as their Boxing Day match against Portsmouth (featured left), The Gunners have another Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, 29 December (Setanta1, 5.15pm).
Wenger's young side is also in action in the FA Cup in the first week of January. Their third-round match against Burnley is covered on BBC1 from 2.00pm on Sunday, 6 January.
Manchester United now have Arsenal firmly in their sights, only one point ahead. The Red Devils' win over Derby last weekend prevented the Rams from getting off the bottom of the table.
A losing streak leading to a slim six-point tally means Derby are firmly stuck in the relegation zone and facing make-or-break time. But despite the emphatic 4-1 scoreline against United last Saturday, Paul Jewell's men didn't disgrace themselves, with Steve Howard earning them their first away goal of the season.
Derby County host a Blackburn side that has managed to win only one of their last six games on Sunday, 30 December (SS1, 1.00pm).
Steve Howard will have another chance to find the back of the net and notch up some vital points for his team against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday, 2 January, when Derby travel to the Reebok Stadium (SS2, 7.30pm).
