Two massive derby clashes in Manchester and north London headline this weekend’s Premier League motion.
Manchester United tackle Manchester City at Old Trafford and top-flight leaders Arsenal play at Tottenham, whereas two extra video games on the different finish of the desk might show vital within the relegation battle.
Here we take a look at the principle speaking factors.
United poised for City ambush
Manchester United might climb to inside a degree of second-placed City by extending their successful run underneath Erik ten Hag to 9 video games in all competitions on Saturday and Red Devils followers will probably be much more assured than they had been heading into the earlier encounter after they had been thrashed 6-3 on the Etihad in October.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect have but to fireside on all cylinders for the reason that World Cup break and Ten Hag will probably be eager to gauge his aspect’s progress towards the reigning champions.
Spurs in Gunners’ sights
Arsenal are bidding to increase their five-point lead on the prime of the desk, whereas Tottenham can sick afford a sixth league defeat of the season of their pursuit of a top-four end.
The Gunners, 3-1 winners within the reverse fixture in October, would transfer 14 factors away from their London rivals with victory on Sunday and the stress is mounting on Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, who’s hoping Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur can all return to motion after damage.
Potter stress reaching boiling level
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Thursday left them 10 factors adrift of the highest 4 in mid-table and was a fifth loss in seven league video games underneath Graham Potter.
The former Brighton boss is underneath rising stress to salvage the membership’s season and maintain his job and a minimum of a win on Sunday in one other all-London affair will probably be demanded by nonplussed Blues followers.
Patrick Vieira’s Palace, thumped 4-0 at residence by Tottenham of their final league match, are smelling blood.
Lampard feeling the warmth
Frank Lampard is one other Premier League supervisor who’s preventing for his job.
Everton, third from backside after seven defeats of their final 9 league matches, tackle backside membership Southampton, who’ve been buoyed by successive FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins over Palace and Manchester City.
Also on Saturday, second-bottom Wolves face David Moyes’ Seventeenth-placed West Ham, who’re winless in six league video games. Both fixtures might show pivotal on this season’s relegation battle.
Joelinton arrest miffs Magpies
Newcastle’s top-four problem has been dealt an unwelcome distraction as boss Eddie Howe is undecided over whether or not to call Joelinton in his aspect for Sunday’s residence recreation towards Fulham after the Brazilian was charged with drink-driving within the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Magpies sit third within the desk, above Manchester United on objective distinction, whereas Fulham, one of many shock packages this season underneath Marco Silva following promotion, might leapfrog Tottenham into fifth place with a fifth straight league win.
