Chelsea have one clear advantage on Liverpool in their Premier League title race - and it's not Cole Palmer.
Before a ball was kicked this season, it was almost universally expected that Manchester City - champions for the last four years running - would once again be the team to beat. Having pushed them all the way last term and the one before that, Arsenal were understandably billed as most-likely to usurp star-studded City at the summit.
How the script has changed. As we head into pantomime season, familiar Premier League villains Chelsea head up the chasing pack, but it's Liverpool that are currently out in front as pace-setters.
It's pretty much been that way since the opening day, too, with newly-appointed Liverpool head coach Arne Slot enjoying an almost perfect start to life in the Anfield dugout. The Reds have picked up 39 points from 16 games so far this season and hold a four-point advantage on second-placed Chelsea with a game-in-hand.
As such, they are clear favourites heading into Boxing Day and beyond. However, with the transfer market poised to reopen, the Blues could be about to cash in on their trump card - which does come with a catch.
"We said many times that we are ahead of our expectations," said Enzo Maresca - also appointed this summer - in his pre-match press conference before Chelsea's impending west London derby against Fulham. "The way we are playing, in terms of points, but the main focus for us is always how we can improve the players and improve game by game," the Italian head coach went on.
"It's not about the pressure for the players, or the club, or me. It's the reality.
"I would like to have that kind of pressure and, hopefully soon, we can have that kind of pressure, but the reason I said we are not there is for me the reality is we're not there. The main point is to continue to improve and continue to try to win games."
As he addressed the media before their Boxing Day showdown, Maresca downplayed Chelsea's title credentials - and not for the first time either - but the actual reality is the Blues have to be considered as contenders. So rarely do any team, even one as in-form as Liverpool, enjoy a procession to the Premier League crown.
Things are just not that simple. It might be a stretch for even a side as successful as City to fight back from what's been a jaw-dropping fall from grace, but Chelsea - and Arsenal for that matter - will still have a huge say.
Chelsea, in particular, can take encouragement from a friendly January schedule.
Indeed, while Liverpool play eight games in all competitions next month - while shopping around for any business that might bolster their squad - Chelsea only have five. In the most basic terms, that provides them with extra time to prepare on the training ground - and with that a golden opportunity to rest their star names.
With progression already secured, Liverpool do have two remaining Champions League games to factor in, which acts as something of a catch, as they can rotate there, but the Blues can "one-up" them when it comes to travel and crucial time saved there, with just one trek away from London to contend with next month - and that coming on January 25 at the Etihad Stadium.
By that stage, especially if table-topping Liverpool slip up momentarily, Maresca might just be forced into a public U-turn on his title race verdict, as he already ought to have done in-house at Cobham.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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