It's been a long slog, but at long last a break in Premier League fixtures is approaching as a typically-hectic festive fixture list nears its conclusion. With New Year's Day's matches coming up on Wednesday, many a topflight boss will breathe a heavy sigh of relief with the following FA Cup clashes a chance to rotate squads and rest tired legs at the weekend. But before all that there's one more matchday to get through with all 20 Premier League sides in action again midweek, starting with Swansea vs title favourites Manchester City at 12.45. That is swiftly followed by Arsenal and Cardiff, the first of eight 15:00 kick-offs that also sees Norwich travel to Crystal Palace, Fulham entertain West Ham, Liverpool take on Hull, Southampton entertain Chelsea, Everton visit Stoke and bottom-of-the-table Sunderland receive Aston Villa before West Brom clash with Newcastle. The day will be rounded off by a mouth-watering encounter between champions Manchester United and resurgent Tottenham at Old Trafford. As ever, each of these matches have a direct impact not just on the Premier League standings but on our own WhatCulture! Fantasy Football league, which is still being topped by Nile Smith and his 'Indy Liverbirds'. But how long he remains there in 2014 is up to you, and maybe we will have a new leader on New Year's Day if you follow our Fantasy Football Tips. Click "Next" to get started.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
