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No need to rush, kick-off will be here soon. Don't worry, we'll all get to have our fair share of the collective heart attacks; there's plenty to go around, no need to push and shove.
So as you settle in for the million tiny deaths that will be Chelsea vs. Liverpool, distract yourself with a bit of Everton vs. Southampton or Newcastle vs. Arsenal. Both tasty matchups of teams with sudden (or not so sudden in the case of Arsenal) European aspirations.
Although Southampton have fallen on hard times recently, Everton did just manage to conjure a home loss to Sunderland, so this one is anyone's guess. NBCSN's early pick is seventh versus second: in-form Newcastle hosting slightly less-in-form Arsenal. The Toon are unbeaten in six straight league matches at home, so the Gunners will most certainly have their work cut out for them. Should Wenger's men fail to win, the door will open for Chelsea to finish the calendar year in second. And wouldn't that be nice?
Discuss.