This can kickstart your day of non-stop TV sport!
8am IT’S an early start for SOUTH AFRICA v ENGLAND (Sky Sports Cricket) so roll out of bed — or stay right where you are if you conked out on the sofa — and flick the TV on. It’ll likely stay powered up for the next 14 hours. 10am LUNCH in the cricket gives you the chance to start on the leftovers. Back on the couch in 40 minutes for the resumption of play.
12.30pm JUST as the second session is coming to a close in Centurion it’s time for the first of nine Premier League games, starting in north London. Amazon Prime Video is your port of call for the football today (they do a 30-day free trial) so fire up your laptop or find the app on a smart TV and we’re under way with TOTTENHAM v BRIGHTON (Amazon Prime Video). Alternatively, start a marathon of football with some Scottish action — HEARTS v HIBERNIAN (Sky Sports Football) in the Edinburgh derby. 1.15pm It’s half-time in the football, why not switch over for the first televised horse race of the day? ITV start their festive offering with the LADBROKES CASINO HANDICAP CHASE (1.20pm, ITV) at Kempton. Then stick with the racing or go back to the football... 3pm The cricket is over and the first Premier League match is done, but there’s just time for a brew before it begins again. There are six 3pm games to choose from and if you aren’t attached to any of these teams — or just can’t bear to watch your side — there’s also the Goals Show, that flicks from game to game chasing highlights. On offer are: ASTON VILLA v NORWICH, BOURNEMOUTH v ARSENAL, CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON, CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM, EVERTON v BURNLEY, and SHEFFIELD UNITED v WATFORD (all Amazon Prime Video). Or take in a slice of Championship action with BRENTFORD v SWANSEA (Sky Sports Football). 3.05pm BUT just before you get too settled it’s time to saddle up and head over for the KING GEORGE VI CHASE at Kempton (ITV) to see if Cyrname can win the crown in the final TV race of the day. 5pm A SHORT break after the 3pm kick-offs. The big Championship clash of LEEDS v PRESTON ( Sky Sports Football) starts at 5.15pm. 5.30pm OUR eighth Premier League game of the day is a meeting of two old foes. On this day in 1995, Newcastle led Man Utd by 10 points at the top of the table ... and then it all came crashing down after that. Now it’s a very different MANCHESTER UNITED v NEWCASTLE (Amazon Prime) locking horns at Old Trafford. 8pm YOU’RE 12 hours into the festive TV marathon but don’t falter now — this is the big one. Second versus first at the King Power and if anyone is going to halt the Anfield runaway train, Brendan Rodgers is going to have to beat his old club. It’s LEICESTER v LIVERPOOL (Amazon Prime Video). Starting just before that, at 7.30pm, is READING v QPR ( Sky Sports Football) in the Championship. 10.30pm THAT’S the football over with. But if you’re not ready for bed you can end the day as it began, with some Test cricket. Day two of the second Test of AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND (BT Sport 2) starts at 11.30pm ... and should finish shortly before South Africa v England resumes at 8am tomorrow!