Manchester City have a chance to earn a priceless three points if they can maintain their strong home form and defeat visiting Liverpool.
The Citizens have flown up the table in the last six weeks with five wins and a draw that see them now only a point behind the table topping Reds.
Recent history between the two sides calls for a draw as the most likely result with four of their last six going that way while the two share the other spoils.
Both sides are missing a few but their depth has shown to be resilient in the last month and it is certain to be a spirited battle at the Emirates.
Liverpool have been riding the goal form of Luis Suarez to the bank as the Uruguayan cannot seem to be stopped at the moment and he will have to be well on his form to ensure the Reds make the most of a trip to Manchester and a chance to remain at the top of the table for the new year.
City XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Negredo.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Kelly, Skrtel, Sakho, Johnson; Henderson, Leiva, Allen; Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho.
