Guy Mowbray still doing election gags.

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

With the title set to be won by a landslide, this is more about who will be the main team in opposition, but is unlikely to bring a definitive result with just over half the season remaining.

Leicester have the seat now but there's significantly less pressure on them here, even though they'll be desperately keen to extend their unbeaten run.

Few would be surprised if they lost. Few would be surprised if they won - much less so than when Claude Puel's team beat Pep Guardiola's last Boxing Day.

Manchester City are nine points down from this same stage a year ago, while Leicester are 17 up under their new leader. That is some swing.

The last word before kick-off goes to our MOTD man...

Southampton

Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a deserved win for our side today. At 3-0 we could be more brave and then at 3-1 you could feel were were a bit nervous.

"Over 90 minutes it’s [our fight] the reason, we get something and deserved it. We stayed concentrated until the end and it's a nice present for the fans.It’s not June It’s December but it gives us a lift mentally to see we can win. We know it’s a tough race.

On Danny Ings: "Danny is fantastic at the moment, he’s absolutely outrageous at the moment and I’m very happy for him."

Sheffield United

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to Match of the Day: "We weren't at our best with the ball but we have a structure, organisation and a desire to keep the ball out of the net. We had to show all those qualities this afternoon.

"You have to take that disappointment (VAR), we're top of the disallowed goals table! John (Egan) was unfortunate, it grazed his hand., The correct decision.

"We had to stick in today because it was a tough place to come.

"We did a job on them, should have had more possession, but we had the better chances on the counter attack and we're delighted to keep the away run going. The next two are Manchester City and Liverpool!

"We kept our shape well and were really disciplined. It's a big three points for us. You always want to get off to a good start. It's the Premier League, every team you come across are good and have qualities but we have some as well and we've worked very hard."

Burnley

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: "It was super poor conditions a poor game but we stuck to the task. It is hard to find ways of winning and we managed to do that.

"The pleasing thing is, in the second half they were better than us but we stayed resolute to the task.

"[Nick] Pope has had minimal to do regarding saves and we found a moment. There was not a lot of goalmouth action, not a great game but we get three points. We hope and want to play better but we get the three points.

"What a header from J-Rod. We know we have to play better away. At this stage of last season we were on 12 points, it was really ugly, but we managed to find a way."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

Today will be the first time Pep Guardiola has managed a Manchester City side without Mikel Arteta alongside him on the bench.

Guardiola has already said he won't be seeking a replacement for the new Arsenal before the end of the season, so Rodolfo Borrell will step in for now.

Borrell has been at City since 2014, having arrived in England to become part of Rafael Benitez's backroom team at Liverpool.

The feeling is Guardiola will seek a replacement in the summer but Borrell will be a more significant presence today and was leading the pre-match warm-up.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Graham Potter speaking to Match of the Day: "We weren't good, Sheffield United did what they did well. First half they were better than us and deservedly it was 1-0.

"It wasn't a game of many chances and we put a lot into it, but not enough. It was a disappointing day for us.

"We didn't play well today. They made it difficult for us and we weren't as good as we like to be. We can look at ourselves and learn from the game, do better.

"We had the change the dynamic of the game at 1-0 down. Second half it was better in terms of pressure but not enough in terms of chances.

"You get set-backs in this competition, but we have to get ourselves ready for another tough match."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The last time Leicester came to the Etihad Stadium when they were higher than their hosts in the Premier League was February 2016 - when they proved their title credentials in spectacular style with a stunning win to extend their lead at the top of the table, and of course stayed there for the rest of the season.

Almost four years on, the Foxes are again looking to prove they are genuine contenders - as a series of festive favourites blast out of the speakers here. If they do leave with the points, it will pretty much spell the end of Manchester City's already fading hopes of retaining their title, before they have even opened their Christmas presents.

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Norwich City

Norwich boss Daniel Farke, speaking to Sky Sports: "Football can be the most unfair sport in the world. You can lose the game although you totally deserve to win the game. Football is not always fair. You have to grab your reward and we didn't. We missed too many chances today.

"We were on the front foot in most of this game. Each goal we conceded we could have done better. The decision making and small details today were pretty costly.

"We are not too addicted to the table. I can't make any results but I am pretty proud of the performance today. Teemu has delivered in so many games for us and when you have a day like today where you miss so many chances, you have to accept this."

With the decade drawing to a close in the next few days, it's time to pick your iconic player from the last 10 years.

We're not necessarily looking for the best player, but the individual who has had the biggest impact on the Premier League and club cup competitions over the decade.

With the help of BBC Sport journalists - including chief football writer Phil McNulty, BBC Radio 5 Live football reporter Ian Dennis and Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray - we've created a shortlist of 15, but it was a tough decision and players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Luis Suarez, and Philippe Coutinho among those missing out.

We have only considered players who played in the Premier League for at least four seasons in this decade - and anything that happened before January 2010 does not count.

Pick yours now.

Image source, Getty Images

We have some very sad news to bring you. Former West Ham, Tottenham, Norwich and Sheffield United player and England World Cup winner Martin Peters has died, at the age of 76.

A statement from his family reads: “It is with profound sadness that we announce that Martin passed away peacefully in his sleep at 4.00am this morning. A beloved husband, dad and grandad, and a kind, gentle and private man, we are devastated by his loss but so very proud of all that he achieved and comforted by the many happy memories we shared. We will be making no further comment and kindly ask that the privacy of our family is respected at this extremely difficult time.”

Wolves

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Sport: "We had a very poor first half. We didn't block with the vertical balls that broke our lines but I am happy we gave a very good second half.

"When you see you are making mistakes and try and learn from them, that is what the players did. The players recovered a lot of balls in Norwich's half and didn't let them play. We did that and took control of the game, we scored and managed the win very well.

"We had to find new solutions to block Norwich. They are a very good team but I think we were better in the second half because we learned from our mistakes.

"It is part of us, we are relentless and go to the end. Every game is very important. Every game is a cup final, a final you have to compete in."

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender on BBC Football Focus

It will be a very, very open game but I have a feeling Man City will win.

City will want to swat Leicester away because of where they are in the league, they'll want to show Leicester they're a better team than them.

Vincent Kompany probably played the last third of last season and was as good as anyone, and they knew he was leaving but decided not to replace him which was a mistake.

If they thought Harry Maguire was too expensive they'll be looking at a nine figure-sum for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

Jermaine Jenas
Ex-Tottenham midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

The remarkable thing is you speak about Liverpool and their lead - 10 points over Leicester and 14 above Manchester City. But Leicester have got 10 points on Chelsea. They’ve got to drop 10 ponts to drop out of Champions League places.

There is a little challenge going on, Leicester could go within seven points of Liverpool, but it’s more about the message being sent. If they can win this game the message is clear from Brendan Rodgers' team that they’re not going anywhere, they’re part of the title race.

Who knows, we’ve seen what pressure can do to certain teams. I don’t expect it to wobble Liverpool but it does for the Champions League positioning. It's huge what Leicester have done already this season.

Southampton

Southampton forward Danny Ings: "Massive win, we knew how important this game was. Big opportunity to put in a performance and we did. We heard their supporters getting on to them early on.

"We’re working on things every day, but I think today is a huge step in progressing forward. When the third goal went in we knew it would be difficult for them to come back."

DJ: What a game. Really good defensive effort in the second half. Dean Henderson channelling his inner Paddy Kenny for the pass forward to Oli McBurnie.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United goalscorer Oliver McBurnie: "We know they are a good team and it was going to be a hard task but the gaffer put a game plan out and we came away with three points.

"I have not really been in the starting line-up so I have to put myself in the gaffer's thoughts.

"We have been really good away from home, so the boys want to keep that going."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City make two changes from their last Premier League game, their 3-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday.

Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez both start, with Rodri and Phil Foden dropping to the bench - where they will be sitting next to City's record scorer Sergio Aguero, who is back in the squad after seven games out with a thigh injury.

Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Bernardo, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling

Leicester, looking to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to seven points while the Reds are playing in the Club World Cup final in Qatar, also make two changes.

Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez replace Dennis Praet and Kelechi Iheanacho as Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers reverts to his regular 4-1-4-1 formation after starting with a 4-3-1-2 in last week's draw with Norwich.

Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi; Perez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy