Five sporting highlights to get stuck into this Christmas

Anthony Joshua, Arsenal and the Milwaukee Bucks are all in action over Christmas (Picture: Getty)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for sports fans!

Christmas is around the corner and there is a feast of sporting action to get stuck into, including the Premier League showdown between title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool. But if football isn’t your thing, don’t worry, we have you covered too.

The Worlds Darts Championship is well underway and is serving up some fascinating storylines, while there are some huge fights coming up in the world of boxing and there is plenty going on across the pond in both the NFL and NBA.

Here’s five sporting highlights to look out for this Christmas…

Can Arsenal handle the Anfield factor?

Arsenal travel to Liverpool on December 23 in the biggest game of the Premier League season so far. The Gunners, who went agonisingly close to landing their first top-flight trophy since 2004 last term, sit top of the table after 17 games but second-placed Liverpool are one point behind and can leapfrog them with a win.

Victory for either side would be a huge psychological boost in the title race. Arsenal and Liverpool are arguably the two biggest challengers this term, which has been amplified by Manchester City’s struggles. Pep Guardiola’s side have won five of the last six trophies with Liverpool the only side to stop them in that time.

Anfield is one of the most intimidating away days in world football, let alone the Premier League. It will be likely be louder than ever on Saturday, especially after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp goaded his own supporters. ‘We need Anfield on their toes… If you’re not in the right shape, give your ticket to someone else.’

A 16-year-old darts wonderkid

Luke Littler grabbed headlines with a sensational victory over Christian Kist on his World Darts Championship debut on Wednesday. The 16-year-old showed no signs of nerves in his first match in the sport’s biggest event – averaging 106.12 and hitting seven 180s – and has already been compared to some of the greats.

‘I can’t remember a better [debut] than that,’ declared former darts star Wayne Mardle. ‘I had goosebumps watching him… We saw it with Phil Taylor and then we saw it with Michael van Gerwen. This may be the third coming of that… I think he’s probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen in my life.’

The final is set for January 3 and the surprise early exits of seeds Peter Wright and James Wade on Littler’s side of the draw have blown the tournament wide open. We could well see a new champion emerge at Alexandra Palace.

Joshua vs Wilder superfight inbound?

Anthony Joshua must beat Otto Wallin to set up a fight with Deontay Wilder (Picture: Getty)

The boxing world has been hoping to see Anthony Joshua fight Deontay Wilder for the best part of six years and fans may finally get their wish. Should they defeat Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker respectively in Saudi Arabia on December 23, Joshua and Wilder are expected to finally meet in the ring in March 2024.

‘That’s the biggest fight in the world,’ American star Wilder, known as ‘The Bronze Bomber’, said about a potential mega bout with British hero AJ. ‘The moment has come where it’s the closest that it’s ever been in history right now.’

Wilder can kiss goodbye to the Joshua fight, though, if former champion Parker causes a shock in Riyadh. Wallin, a 6ft 5in giant from the small Swedish city of Sundsvall, is also looking to spoil the fun and derail a Joshua vs Wilder bout.

How will Man City look after Club World Cup?

Manchester City are five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Manchester City look a shadow of the team that secured a famous treble last season. Having already played their last Premier League game before Christmas, Pep Guardiola’s side sit fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Arsenal. Given their dominance in recent seasons, not many saw their slump coming.

The champions of England and Europe are currently in Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup, facing Brazilian side Fluminense in the final on Friday. They go in as huge favourites, but it is a competition the South Americans take very seriously. Should City lose, it would be a huge blow and compound their worrying form.

Just five days after that final, City return to action with a tricky test at Everton. The Toffees have been flying since their 10-point deduction over FFP and Goodison Park has become a fortress. There is also added incentive for Everton to beat the team who have so avoided FFP punishment, despite many more alleged breaches.

An American feast across the pond

Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, are in action on Christmas Day (Picture: Getty)

There is a bucket load of sport happening on the big day – December 25 – in the United States. If you’ve never watched American football or basketball, why not give it a try? The biggest teams across the NFL and NBA are in action and you can watch it from the comfort of your own home across Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, host the Las Vegas Raiders at 6pm UK time on Christmas Day before the New York Giants travel to Philadelphia at 9.30pm UK time. The Eagles, Super Bowl runners-up last season, have lost their last three games and are looking to return to winning ways against their rivals.

Meanwhile, the two biggest and most successful teams in NBA history – the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics – meet at 10pm UK time. That comes after current champions, the Denver Nuggets, play the Golden State Warriors at 7.30pm UK time and the Milwaukee Bucks @ the New York Knicks at 5pm UK time.

MORE : Which Premier League games have been selected for TV coverage over Christmas and New Year?

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