Nuclear Wessel: Saturday is for football, and not the college kind

By Dana Wessel

Week 15 already? Where has the season gone? Even crazier, because of the holiday fixtures, we will be past the halfway point of the season by New Year's Day. Time to find out who is serious about their top-4 prospects, which relegation fodder are resigned to their fate and if anybody feels like giving Chelsea and Manchester City a serious run.

The schedule is very front-loaded this weekend. The Sunday matches are about as appealing as a turpentine cocktail so we've got ourselves a nice little Saturday triple-header! So get up early, hunker down and avoid any real responsibilities for six straight hours of Premier League goodness.

Also, don't forget. MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and New England Revolution is Sunday afternoon at 2:00. It is the last ride for Landon Donovan. Tune in and say goodbye.

No. 1: Newcastle vs Chelsea at St James Park

When: Saturday at 6:45am on NBC Sports Network

Last year: Newcastle took all three points from this one last November. Chelsea fell behind 1-rip in the 68th before current Blue Loic Remy added a dagger in the 89th to make an impressive 2-0 scoreline for the Geordies.

As far as the match goes, a win or a tie for Chelsea on Saturday and they become the 4th Premier League team in history to make it through their first 15 matches without a loss. It would also set a new club record for an unbeaten streak (24 games).

But despite their 3-0 win against Spurs mid-week, this one has Chelsea fans shaking in their Stamford the Lion boxers briefs a bit. Jose Mourinho has never won a Premier League match at St James Park and Chelsea have lost there in consecutive years.

Chelsea were without prolific striker Diego Costa against Spurs and will be without another vital player Saturday. Nemanja Matic acquired 5 yellow cards (I hope his mother is mad at him like mine used to get at me) and will miss his first minutes of the Premier League season. Matic has solidified a defensive midfield position that had been a revolving door the past few seasons.

Newcastle have come back down to earth a bit after their 5-match win streak that vaulted them into the top-4 for like 24 hours at one point. But a loss to West Ham and a draw with Burnley has left them looking more like the drop-zone contenders they were the first month of the season. What does that mean? They are likely somewhere in-between.

Chelsea are the favored side. A Newcastle win is the least likely of the three potential outcomes*. But this will not be a laugh for Mourinho and his undefeated squad. Looks to be a very entertaining match.

No. 2: Liverpool vs Sunderland at Anfield

When: Saturday at 9:00am on NBC Sports Network

Last year: Liverpool beat the Black Cats 2-1 at Anfield last March. It was in the middle of their 11 match win streak and just one match before they overtook City for top spot in the league.

Liverpool are on TV a LOT. They are the only team to have 100 percent of their matches televised this season. I get it. They have a lot ton of fans here. And win or lose, it usually happens in spectacular fashion. But they are like the Braves in the 1990s. No matter where you live, you can always watch them, whether you want to or not.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers finds himself with some crucial matches coming up and some difficult lineup decisions. Liverpool have won a pair of matches after losing three straight and find themselves in eighth place and five points out of the coveted 4th spot in the table.

Rogers said recently he knows he is a sack-candidate. This month will determine his fate. On on one hand, a win Tuesday and a strong December in the league and he could have them in the Round of 16 in Champions League and in the thick of a top-4 fight. On the other, they could get run by FC Basel Tuesday, be eliminated from Champions League, stumble through the rest of December and be in the bottom half of the table come New Year's Day. If that's the case, Rodgers could be watching the rest of the season on TV.

But all that will come in due time. All they can worry about is Sunderland. The Black Cats got beat by City 3-1 on Wednesday but did manage to become the first team this season to hold Chelsea scoreless.

Despite a rough start, it is still there for Liverpool to have a successful season. But they have to get fat at home — where they have won just two of the last six — against teams like Sunderland. However, I think this one has draw written all over it.

No. 3: Manchester City vs Everton at Etihad Stadium

When: Saturday at 11:30 on Big Boy NBC

You're killing me, Everton. I got bold and slotted them to finish in the top 4 this season and so far they've let me down. They sit in 11th place in the table on 18 points. The most disturbing part, however, is that World Cup hero, All-American, and future President of the United States Tim Howard has looked like that kid on a U-11 team that was forced to play goalie against his will.

OK. Maybe it hasn't been that bad, but man, oh, man Timmy. Letting balls go through his legs, getting beat near post, yelling at defenders much more than he usually does. Everton have given up 22 goals this season, good for second-worst in the league behind Crystal Palace and Sunderland with 23. Bums me out. I like Tim Howard more than I like most of my friends. I hope he turns it around.

Everton gave up a late equalizer at home to Burnley on Wednesday after falling at Spurs on Sunday. The odd thing is, their form in Europa has been great. They need that European form to start carrying over domestically.

But Timmy and Everton will be up against it Saturday at the Etihad against City and Sergio Aguero. How ridiculous has he been? Teams could play with three goalies in net and he would still find a way to score. He scored two more midweek against Sunderland is sitting on 19 in all competitions. He is just downright scary.

So are City. They have overcome their early season lumps, have won three straight and are just six points behind Chelsea. The race for top of the table is shaping up to be the heavyweight slugfest between Chelsea and City everybody thought it would be.

Alright, enjoy logging hours on your couch for the triple-header Saturday. If the pub is your route, be sure to tip your waitress and thank the owner for opening up early. Until next week, keep your wall tight and your free-kicks direct.