And so to the floodlights.
It's the only full midweek Premier League programme before Christmas, and these midweek sports specials - one for you older readers there - open a quickfire Premier League double-header. Half the sides will play two home games in a week, while the other 10 sets of fans face a double dose of motorway fun.
Contraflow curses aside, the pressure will really be on those underperforming sides playing at home twice. Like West Ham, who host newly-promoted duo West Brom and Blackpool within the space of four days.
With both the Baggies and Tangerines having turned in eye-catchingly good away performances so far and the Upton Park faithful not the most patient bunch, could the end be nigh for cuddly old uncle Avram Grant?
TUESDAY
Stoke v Birmingham
Hold on to your unsightly baseball hats, Tony Pulis is off on one again...
Sure, the Stoke boss has every right to be miffed after the Potters were denied a clear goal/penalty after SunderlandâÂÂs Lee Cattermole handled a Kenwyne Jones header on/behind the goalline in SaturdayâÂÂs match at the Stadium of Light, but there are gaping holes in his plan to get Premier League managers to vote on which referees are allowed to remain operating in the top flight the following season.
For starters, we doubt very much the Football League would be up for having the top flightâÂÂs cast-offs forced down the garbage chute with even more regularity than usual. Then thereâÂÂs the matter of the integrity of the whole system. Imagine Fergie coming out before a âÂÂsix-pointerâ towards the end of the season and stating âÂÂI havenâÂÂt decided which referees IâÂÂll vote out of the Premier League yet. I hope the referee on Saturday has a good game.âÂÂ
What wonâÂÂt happen: This âÂÂSky Sports contractual obligation specialâ to be one of the games of the season.
What will happen: Sky Sports to bill this âÂÂSky Sports contractual obligation specialâ as one of the games of the season. 0-0.
Tottenham v Sunderland
Spurs will look to bounce back from their largely shambolic defeat at Bolton with a home win against Sunderland, who bounced back from their largely shambolic defeat at Newcastle with a home win against Stoke. So it can happen.
Darren Bent is out for Sunderland, meaning thereâÂÂll be no missed penalties, no hurled plastic bottles, and no goals for any Sunderland player other than Asamoah Gyan, given the two forwards are the only Sunderland players to net so far this term.
Spurs may or may not be without the Premier League's October Player of the Month Rafael van der Vaart, with Harry Redknapp yet to decide on what degree he is "daaahn to the bare bones'.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Spurs to keep a clean sheet - they havenâÂÂt done that since the opening day against Roberto ManciniâÂÂs 4-6-0 Manchester City.
What will happen: A Sunderland player other than Gyan or Bent to score for Sunderland, now weâÂÂve pointed that out, but Spurs to edge it 2-1.
WEDNESDAY
Aston Villa v Blackpool
ItâÂÂs been a funny old start to the season for Villa - four points off fifth place, but only three above the drop zone.
Their fairly poor league form (three points from the last five matches) has been masked by the tightness of the Premier League table, and itâÂÂs not often tightness masks stuff, as anybody who saw a certain member of the FFT posse in a skintight lycra St George Cross âÂÂmorph suitâ during the World Cup will testify...
Blackpool may only be one point better off than Villa, but will be more than a little chuffed with their start. TheyâÂÂre realistically well over a third of the way to safety, with barely a quarter of the season gone.
They do need to work on their sharpness in front of goal, mind. An impressive 41 shots in their last two matches have produced an unimpressive five shots on target and four goals, two of which came against the nine men of West Brom.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Marlon Harewood to play against his former club in a skintight lycra St George Cross âÂÂmorph suitâÂÂ.
What will happen: Harewood and chums to put in another strong away showing. 1-1.
Chelsea v Fulham
Via the popular medium of the backhanded compliment, Fulham have been described this season as âÂÂhard to beatâÂÂ, having only lost twice in 11 league matches. However you could just as easily describe them as âÂÂeasy to prevent from winningâÂÂ, given theyâÂÂve also only won two matches.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to welcome back Michael Essien to his side following their defeat at Anfield in his absence, while Didier Drogba should also start, despite suffering malaria. WhoâÂÂd have thought it, Didier Drogba is harder than Cheryl Cole...
What wonâÂÂt happen: Didier Drogba and Cheryl Cole to sing a moving duet about malaria. Sadly.
What will happen: A rare non-draw for Fulham as Chelsea bounce back. 2-1.
Everton v Bolton
While everyone has been creaming themselves over the early-season form of the newly promoted sides, steady old Bolton have been steadily moving steadily into the upper echelons of the Premier League table, like a big steady... errrrm... train.
TheyâÂÂll travel to Goodison full of confidence after a highly impressive win over âÂÂhungoverâ Spurs on Saturday [thatâÂÂs a Champions League hangover â FFT lawyer], but will be wary of their recent record on the Toffeesâ patch. TheyâÂÂve failed to score on their last four visits, losing each time. However, the last time they did win in Moyesville, it was a 4-0 gubbing. Swings and roundabouts, innit?
What wonâÂÂt happen: Bolton to win 4-0.
What will happen: Everton to pee on BoltonâÂÂs early-season chips with a narrow, hard-fought 2-1 win. And with only three points and three goals separating them from 16th-placed Blackburn, Bolton to drift back into midtable.
Manchester City v Manchester United
Look, everybody is going to be blathering on about this game between now and 8pm on Wednesday, and then most probably also from that point onwards to 3pm on Saturday, so youâÂÂll have to forgive us for keeping this brief for fear of boring you all to tears.
City, United, Tevez, noisy neighbours, Denis Law, massive club, âÂÂthis city is oursâÂÂ, Wayne Rooney, no wait - not Wayne Rooney, âÂÂwell we didnâÂÂt want him anywayâÂÂ, âÂÂwe took 10,000 to YorkâÂÂ, âÂÂwe took four billion to BarcelonaâÂÂ, some homemade banner that says something about something or other, Eric Cantona sat in some berkâÂÂs kitchen talking about the derby for no apparent reason, Curly Watts, Mick Hucknall, âÂÂRyan Giggs was at City as a kidâÂÂ, âÂÂYeah, everybody knows that - they always mention it, itâÂÂs boring nowâÂÂ, âÂÂFergie, sign him upâÂÂ, âÂÂFergie, sign him upâÂÂ, âÂÂWelcome to Manchester", âÂÂquick, get some socks and red paintâ¦âÂÂ
What wonâÂÂt happen: This match to be the be-all and end-all of the existence of mankind, or even football, as we know it.
What will happen: Some football to be played in a way that will probably ultimately prove anti-climactic. 1-1.
Newcastle v Blackburn
There could be a touch of the after-the-Lord-MayorâÂÂs-Shows about this match for Newcastle, having won so brilliantly at home to Sunderland and away to Arsenal in their last two matches.
Despite big wins against Villa and the Mackems, Newcastle havenâÂÂt always found playing at St Jamesâ entirely enjoyable this season â they've got just one point from their other three home games, with Stoke, Wigan and Blackpool all scoring twice.
BlackburnâÂÂs strong defensive record (theyâÂÂve conceded fewer Premier League goals than Newcastle and the same number as Manchester United) suggests thereâÂÂs a possibility of the home crowd being frustrated once more.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Kevin Nolan or Andy Carroll to dash out and buy the News of the World in a hurry.
What will happen: Blackburn to hold Chris HughtonâÂÂs side to a bore draw. 0-0.
West Ham v West Brom
ItâÂÂs the West derby â the biggest derby in English football (other than the East derby between Eastbourne Borough and East Grinstead Town, obviously) and the pressure is well and truly on Hammers boss Avram Grant.
Like fellow Premier League noobs Blackpool, West Brom are in the snug confines of mid-table - where just two points separate sixth and 14th place - and, like Blackpool, theyâÂÂll be more than happy with being well on the road to safety, which will still be their primary aim despite taking four points from away trips to Arsenal and Manchester United.
West Ham, meanwhile, would probably settle for four home points against West Brom and Blackpool (who they host on Saturday) for starters...
What wonâÂÂt happen: West Ham to get four points against West Brom and Blackpool
What will happen: The locals to get (even more) restless. A 2-1 win for the visitors.
Wigan v Liverpool
Liverpool are back to their five-time-European-Cup-winning best!
Well, that may be overstating it a bit, but they at least look to be capable of winning football matches that arenâÂÂt handed to them on a plate, while Fernando Torres is finally starting to look a little something like his old self, even if heâÂÂs still a long way from hitting top gear.
Wigan, meanwhile, have been largely bobbins at home this season. Can you see where this is going?
What wonâÂÂt happen: Liverpool fans not to get carried away.
What will happen: Liverpool to continue their mini-revival with another win. 2-0.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal
With the greatest of respect to Wolves, theyâÂÂll get nothing from this match if they try and get involved in a free-flowing pass-tacular football fun-fest. And Mick McCarthy is likely to recognise this, even if he struggles to recognise Juan Sebastian Veron.
The Gunners can ill afford to drop many, if any, points against the Premier LeagueâÂÂs lesser lights following their second home defeat to a newly-promoted side this season against Newcastle on Sunday. But with Arsene Wenger stating Cesc Fabregas is still âÂÂrestrictedâ by the ongoing mental recovery from his recent injury problems, you sense they may struggle to avoid doing so.
What wonâÂÂt happen: Arsene Wenger to leap up in celebration of a tackle, or to dismiss any meaty challenges on his teenie-tiny starlets as "just part of the game".
What will happen: Karl Henry to be booked (at least) and Arsenal to be strong-armed out of a win. 1-1.
