Five Things to look forward to this weekend, as the Premier League returns

After the international break, it is back to business as usual for the players as the Premier League is back this weekend. With the fixtures lined up this weekend, there is a very good chance that the fans in England will witness some cracking games. So, let us look at the five things to look forward to this weekend in the Premier League.

Can Manchester United continue their winning run?

Can Manchester United continue their winning run?

After a far from ideal start to his reign as Manchester United manager, Moyes looks like he is finally getting the hang of it. After a terrible set of fixtures saw him face Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in his opening five games and make the club’s worst start to the campaign, victory over Arsenal just before the international break cooled some nerves.

The victory over the Gunners at home was Moyes’s first big win and was their third win on the bounce in the League and one which extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games. This weekend, Moyes faces a tough trip to Cardiff, where City have already lost this season. But, Moyes will take comfort from the fact that United have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides in all competitions and will want to come back to Manchester with nothing less than three points.

Big weekend for Arsenal and Manchester City in their pursuit of the title

Big weekend for Arsenal

Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United just before the international break meant that their lead at the top was cut to just two points following Liverpool’s win over a hapless Fulham side. This weekend they face a Saints outfit who have conceded just three goals on the road and have already managed to emerge from Old Trafford with a point. Flamini is suspended, but Wenger will be boosted by the return of Southampton old-boy Theo Walcott and the fact that the Gunners have won their last four games at the Emirates. Whatever happens, this promises plenty of action.

City on the other hand are still reeling from their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and have been far from convincing on their travels. This weekend, they play host to a Tottenham side who have kept a clean sheet in their last three away games. Although Spurs have happy memories of the Etihad having clinched Champions League qualification here in 2010, those memories are becoming more distant as they have lost their last three games here and City’s record at home so far has been imperious. It is the clash of the League’s highest scoring team at home and the meanest defense away from home. AVB will gladly take a point, but for City, a victory is imperative to keep their title hopes alive.

Can Suarez and co. break Martinez’s dogged defense?

Can Suarez and co. break Martinez’s dogged defense?

After starting the season with three straight draws, Martinez thought he had managed to turn Everton’s fortunes around when the toffees won five of their next six games. But, after two straight 0-0 draws, it looks like familiar failings are coming back to haunt them and a victory over local rivals Liverpool in his first Merseyside derby would be the perfect tonic for Martinez.

But, that is easier said than done. Although Everton have conceded just once in their previous four games, their defense is sure to be tested against a Liverpool attack which has scored 16 goals in the six games since Suarez’s return to the side. And it is Suarez who has been Everton’s bogeyman of late, as he has three in his four derby matches and will be looking to add to the eight goals he has already scored this season. Whilst victory for Liverpool could send them top, victory for Everton would send them level on points with Liverpool and will mean local bragging rights until they meet again. Unlike previous derbies, this one looks like it has goals written all over it.

Will Chelsea be dealt a Hammer blow in their title charge?

Will Chelsea be dealt a Hammer blow

Nine games into the season, it looked like Mourinho’s second coming was every bit as exciting as it promised as the Blues were sitting pretty in second place, just two points behind Arsenal with a perfect home record. But in the space of just two weeks, Chelsea’s world has been turned on its head. After a 2-0 loss to the Magpies at St. James Park, Chelsea came incredibly close to losing their first home league game under Mourinho, but their blushes were spared thanks to a contentious stoppage time penalty by Hazard.

This weekend, Mourinho’s men travel to Upton Park, knowing fully well that a victory is imperative if they are to get their league campaign back on track. Whilst the hammers still don’t have a recognized striker and have plenty of injury concerns of their own, they will take some heart from the fact that the Blues have won just once away from Stamford Bridge. Allardyce will be hoping to keep it that way and heap more misery on Mourinho.

The bottom three merry-go-round looks set to continue

Battle at the bottom of the table

Just a few of weeks ago, it looked like Sunderland and Crystal Palace were getting cut adrift at the bottom and Stoke, West Ham and Fulham were taking turns in occupying the last relegation spot, with neither of the sides able to string a few wins on the bounce. But since Poyet’s appointment, Sunderland have looked like a completely different side and can go level on points with the aforementioned trio with a win this weekend.

With Sunderland taking on Stoke City, in what is already being billed as a relegation six-pointer, Fulham take on a Swansea side, who haven’t quite got going yet. With West Ham facing a tricky encounter against Chelsea at home, victory for both Stoke and Fulham will mean that Sunderland will be cut adrift once again. On the other hand, a win for the Black Cats will put the cat amongst the pigeons and leave Crystal Palace rooted to the bottom, vastly reducing their chances of staying in the Premier League.