The festive fixture list has been a point of contention for years when many managers complain they need a winter break - but there is no doubt that supporters love the glut of games as they indulge in the season's offerings.
For managers it can be the most testing time of the football calendar, for players it brings the greater risk of injury, for clubs coming out of 2017 and into the other side of the New Year can define the second half of their season.
For the top six it will be a crucial period, so Sportsmail has assessed the headaches and challenges facing each of the men in charge.